Chain Dive (PS2) - A hidden gem

[fingersmaloy]

Well, the PS2 Hidden Gems article is finally up, much to everyone's delight, and it got me thinking about Chain Dive, which is a truly hidden gem. I've never seen anything else about it on the web, save for the YouTube videos ( which contain most of the game in its entirety.

Chain Dive is a pseudo-retro action game where you play as a cyborg ninja with an aerodynamic double-blade (almost like a hang-glider) and some sort of electronic laser chain. Stages are presented on a 2.5-D plane, a la Wild 9 or Magical Hoppers (or something people have heard of). As the title denotes, gameplay is composed largely of two activities: chaining and diving. Levels are peppered with glowing hookup points not unlike those found in Castlevania Order of Ecclesia. You can whip out your chain, which has an elasticky kickback that will propel you through the air. It is possible and probable for you to go through entire stages without ever touching the ground, as you can propel yourself indefinitely using these hookup points. Additionally, just about all enemies are airborne. To fight them, you slash them with your wing-like sword, which turns them into blocks of ice (for some reason). Once frozen, enemies work just like hookup points, except that when you connect your chain to them, you can snap yourself into them and shatter them. The trick is to kill as many enemies as possible without touching the ground. This is what is meant by "chaining".

The game feels a little similar to the best moments of the Spiderman 2 game, in that you can freefall (dive), snap up at the last second, and repeat, as much as you like, and with that comes a great sensation.

To spice things up a little, Chain Dive features a number of boss fights, which aren't half bad, as well as some random stuff like a snowboarding level. In case you decide you'd rather be snowboarding halfway through. The story is inane and 100% negligible, and is delivered through ugly still shots and run-of-the-mill voice acting. But this is an action game.

Even in Japan, I've only seen this game on shelves once, but it was only around 15 dollars and I don't think it's actually rare. Should be reasonably easy to find.

Recommended to fans of retro 2D action, frantic, chain combo-based action, and specifically the PS2 Shinobi game.

[nickfil]

for what its worth- this looks like a lot more fun then that shinobi game. The jumping mechanic was almost useless- the level design was bland- and the camera was always in a shitty place. I know it got good reviews in its day, but it has not aged well.

[fingersmaloy]

Yeah, I can't deny any of that stuff, though I was really into the Shinobi game back in the day. Even completed it on the insane Hard mode.

The sequel, Nightshade, had more interesting levels, I thought.

[Anayo]

This sounds like a fun game. I'd certainly like to try it out when I get a PS2.