Initial release date: August 1, 2024
Genres: Platform game, Adventure game, Indie game
Developers: Kitsune Games, Ratalaika Games S.L.
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, Linux, Xbox Series X and Series S
Publishers: Kitsune Games, MidBoss
Engine: FNA / Microsoft XNA Game Studio
Looking for a nostalgia rush from one of the most popular video games of all time? Kitsune Tails, published by MidBoss, is essentially a reworked version of Super Mario Bros. 3, but with a unique twist. Kitsune Tails delves into realms based on Japanese mythology and the relationships between kitsunes, humans, and other anthropomorphic animals, giving the title a more substantial storyline and stronger character development.
Do not shoot the messenger
Start the game as Yuzu, a purple-haired Kitsune girl and one of Inari’s messengers. She is sent out on her first messenger trip, with a positive yet naive attitude, expecting a succession of dramas and risks.
Yuzu meets Akko, a witch and human healer. Yuzu and Akko’s bond develops gradually. Akko eventually invites the protagonist to the spring dance as a loving gesture; however, Yuzu’s lifelong fox companion Kiri becomes consumed with envy and hatred. At the spring dance, commotion breaks out, and it is assumed that Kiri swooped in to kidnap Akko, putting her in an elemental prison in a fit of jealous wrath. Yuzu must set out to rescue the town’s healer and figure out why Kiri did such a thing. If you thought Super Mario Bros 3 was wacky enough, prepare for Kitsune Tail’s lesbian love triangle and supernatural adventures.
Players will experience unique and hard stages in the human realm, as well as five other elemental realms in total. After completing the game, you will unlock a bonus planet with extremely difficult kaizo stages. They’re not for the faint of heart! As players progress, they will discover that Kiri has already blasted through the stages and taken the keys needed to rescue Akko from her cage, therefore each boss will instead grant Yuzu “elemental attunement,” which is also required to free Akko. Throughout the journey, Yuzu will begin to question her legitimate feelings for any of her friends, fearing that her lack of honesty may wreck their ties entirely. Meanwhile, Kiri spends an inordinate amount of time with the imprisoned sorceress. ..
Two shakes of the tail
Overall, Kitsune Tails is a difficult game that demands some platforming knowledge. The game also contains several faults and occasionally odd level design, but nothing really scary. Players can choose their difficulty level, which ranges from simple to hard. Easy mode enables players to power up at any point in a level and revive instantly upon death. This makes gameplay far more accessible to players of all ages and skill levels. Medium difficulty will force you to restart the level or checkpoint after death. This is also true in Hard mode, however players are not allowed to power up throughout levels. Instead, you must use stuff from the overworld.
There are definitely difficulty spikes, and levels are scant with checkpoints, even when they are very long. I would occasionally play a level and thought to myself. ..”Is this the same level as I’ve been playing? Does it keep going?”
Players can also modify the game, and there is even an option to create own levels using open source tools.
Jump incredibly high into the sky!
Fans of SMB3 may like Kitsune Tails’ near resemblance to the former: opponents include squishable insects instead of goombas, armadillo-creatures instead of koopas, and humanoid skeletons instead of dry bones. The mechanics and sound effects are also very similar. Yuzu can jump, sprint, grab things, power up, and collect cash. However, there are no “lives” or time limits. While the game can be lengthy and difficult, players will never “die” and must restart completely.
Power up with a variety of accessories, such as a samurai helmet that allows you to spear adversaries or an adorable shark suit that allows Yuzu to swim faster. Yuzu appears more human-like in Kitsune Tails’ version of a Mario mushroom, and if you are attacked by an adversary, Yuzu morphs into a little purple fox..
Act 1 of Kitsune Tails follows Yuzu on a quest to save Akko and nurture elemental attunement after each boss. Act 2 is nearly identical to Act 1, with the exception that players now see Kiri’s perspective on the story. As Kiri, players progress through the same stages in the same locations, but Kiri has her own unique skills and upgrades, the language is different, and there are other minor alterations here and there. Overall, repeating the same levels renders the game pretty redundant. ..Why not include a few alternate level ideas for Kiri?
Crafty as a fox
The game’s art style is charming, colorful, and chibi-like. To my amazement, Kitsune Tails includes full-fledged voice acting. Unfortunately, the voices sound. ..unnatural. Character speech does not sonically bounce off of one another, similar to old-school dubbed anime. It is not necessarily horrible, but it could be better.
Kitsune Tails’ soundtrack isn’t particularly remarkable either. It generally consists of simple peppy hōgaku, which feels low-key and inconsequential. The visuals of Kitsune Tails are undeniably impressive.
As previously stated, several of the levels are both tough and enjoyable, and are reminiscent of SMB3: spooky houses with ghosts, terrifying underwater levels, and a lava-filled planet. The boss fights in Kitsune Tails are incredibly unique and entertaining. Yuzu (and Kiri) will face a sword-wielding parrot, a pink-haired rabbit woman who attacks with bamboo shoots sprouting from the ground, and more. I really enjoyed these boss encounters, and they felt more diverse than classic Mario bosses due to the frequent employment of Bowser and his Koopalings.
Final thoughts
Kitsune Tails is a fun and hard game that perfectly captures the nostalgic feel of Super Mario Bros 3. It is distinct enough to warrant its own title, with adorable character design, a charming LGBTQ+ tale, and extremely precise, demanding platforming. Kitsune Tails could take anywhere from 10-15 hours to complete, depending on your comfort level and knowledge with platformers.
There are some issues with this title. The stages can be glitchy and unnecessarily difficult at times, thanks to poor enemy placements and other issues. Kitsune Tails can feel banal at times, such as when several parts are nearly identical to SMB3, or when Act 2 asks players to replay the same stages. At the very least, the sweet, small, emotional plot shines through the entire game, instilling familiarity and love for the game’s legendary characters. I appreciated the emphasis on Yuzu and her parents’ connections, with whom she connected via magical post cards. Yuzu’s mother. ..man . ..has a long history of willingly succumbing to love squares and triangles in her youth!
If you appreciate hard platformers and want a queer-friendly plot, Kitsune Tails is a great choice.
Review Overview
Gameplay – 65%
Controls – 70%
Aesthetics – 68%
Content – 60%
Accessibility – 75%
Value – 62%
Overall Rating – 66%
FAIR
Summary: “Kitsune Tails” offers a charming but somewhat shallow experience. While the game features an enchanting art style and a unique narrative inspired by Japanese folklore, the gameplay mechanics feel outdated, and the overall experience lacks depth. The controls are responsive, yet the level design doesn’t fully capitalize on the game’s potential. It’s a decent pick for those interested in cultural storytelling, but it may not hold the attention of players seeking more engaging gameplay.