Doujin Gamer

Creator: Watanabe Seisakujo (French Bread)
Genre: Action

Before the popular doujin circle French Bread was known by this name, they called themselves Watanabe Seisakujo. Even back then, it looks like the group had a love for 2D gaming, as this fun little side-scrolling action game suggests. Players here are trying to save their friend who has been kidnapped by a little angel-like being. It's a cute, lighthearted romp with very good, fluid controls, all with an old school flair.

Seeing as the game was made almost a decade ago, it has a much more retro look to its sprite-based graphics more reminiscent to what one might find back in the 16-bit era. Nonetheless, it still looks very good, with nice use of bright colors, and some very cute character designs. The enemies that players face off againsts are all rather cute, with little angels, gun-toting frogs, and chubby, balloon-like cats being among them.

Controls are very simple, with the arrows providing movement, and the z and x providing attack and jump. Players also have special weapons that they can use on a limited bases by pressing up and attack at the same time. Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be and gamepad support for Demon Hunter Mai, and be careful about hitting escape, as that quits the game instantly. Nonetheless, controls are very responsive, which is certainly more than I can say about a lot of the professionally made 2D games coming out during this time.

From a historical perspective, it's interesting to take a look at a game like Demon Hunter Mai, as it shows some of the early work of French Bread. Keeping the good fight going for a decade for 2D gaming is certainly commendable.