Introducing Haneda Girl: The Latest Game from the Creators of Narita Boy

When Studio Koba introduced Narita Boy back in 2017, they tapped into a unique nostalgia, naming their game after Tokyo’s second-largest airport. It was almost as if it was meant to thrive on Kickstarter from the beginning. This side-scrolling adventure came alive with its striking pixel art, capturing the feel of ’80s anime infused with modern visual effects. What made it even more compelling was the narrative of Eduardo Fornieles, a former member of the Friend & Foe team, who returned to his roots to craft the game he had long envisioned.

At its inception, Narita Boy existed purely as an attractive concept. Yet, that concept captivated enough backers to help it surpass its crowdfunding goals. Fast forward four years, and the game emerged as a standout Kickstarter success, blending elements that made it feel like a surreal, interactive cartoon version of a classic action-adventure. However, despite its visual allure, its simplicity in combat and verbose text screens occasionally detracted from the experience it aimed to provide.

Enter Haneda Girl, the studio’s latest venture, which breaks free from its predecessor’s shortcomings. Revealed last year and with a demo readily available on Steam, this game, named after Tokyo’s largest airport, isn’t a direct sequel to Narita Boy. Instead, it’s an action-platformer that amplifies speed and offers tighter controls. Players are invited into a world of precise wall jumps and fast-paced dodging, requiring agility as they evade enemy fire from every direction.

Taking on the role of Chichi Wakaba, players wield a sword and dash across the screen with lightning speed. While she lacks ranged attacks, Chichi’s stealth tactics allow her to sneak up on foes, enter “ghost mode” to avoid detection by lasers, or cleverly cut through panels to drop platforms on unsuspecting enemies below—reminiscent of BurgerTime mechanics. However, Chichi is fragile and can’t afford a single hit, which raises the stakes.

What sets this game apart is Chichi’s partnership with a mech named M.O.T.H.E.R. She can seamlessly jump in and out of it, balancing her own agility with the mech’s firepower. Though M.O.T.H.E.R. is slower and less nimble, it boasts a machine gun turret and can withstand several hits before needing a moment to reboot.

In the demo, I found myself constantly teaming up with the mech, charging Chichi’s attacks, absorbing enemy blows, or simply unleashing a barrage of bullets in hopes of neutralizing threats. The design of each level compelled me to constantly switch tactics. Narrow passages and towering walls were suited for Chichi’s agility, while enemy-laden rooms were best handled by M.O.T.H.E.R.’s offensive capabilities. It feels as if there’s potential to complete the game quickly using just Chichi, but the interplay between the two characters added a dynamic rhythm to the demo. Time and again, I faced the temptation to rush to the end, only to pause, plan, and then launch into a whirlwind of action and chaos.

Of course, these attempts often led to failure. As the trailer hints, you’re bound to experience quite a few missteps along the way.