Caladrius (video game)

Caladrius (カラドリウス, Karadoriusu) is a scrolling shooter developed and published by MOSS, first released on April 25, 2013 for the Xbox 360 in Japan.^[1] It was later released digitally in North America and Europe on September 4, 2015. After its console debut, Caladrius was ported to arcades under the name Caladrius AC, adding extra game modes and supporting Sega's ALL.Net system.^[2] The game was released for the PlayStation 3 under the name Caladrius Blaze on August 14, 2014 exclusively in Japan. This version added extra characters, stages, and game modes.^[3] The updated version was also released internationally for the PlayStation 4 on August 9, 2016, Microsoft Windows on January 12, 2017, and Nintendo Switch on July 19, 2019, all of which were published by H2 Interactive.

Caladrius
Developer(s)	MOSS
Publisher(s)	MOSS H2 Interactive (PS4, PC)
Director(s)	Jin Hoshino
Producer(s)	Toshinobu Komazawa
Programmer(s)	Motomi Hirano Satoshi Noguchi Shigeru Tsuchiya Takayuki Hayashi
Artist(s)	Suzuhito Yasuda (character)
Writer(s)	Kuon Kagura
Composer(s)	Manabu Namiki Yoshimi Kudo Azusa Chiba
Platform(s)	Arcade, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch
Release	Xbox 360 JP: April 25, 2013 NA: September 4, 2015 EU: September 4, 2015 Arcade JP: September 30, 2013 PlayStation 3 JP: August 28, 2014 PlayStation 4 WW: August 9, 2016 Microsoft Windows WW: January 12, 2017 Nintendo Switch WW: July 19, 2019
Genre(s)	Shoot 'em up
Mode(s)	Single-player, multiplayer
Arcade system	Sega RingEdge 2

Gameplay

In Caladrius, there are normal attacks and there are elemental attacks. There are three types of element gauges, and when an elemental attack is used it depletes one of the gauges, but it is restored over time or by acquiring element cores in the stage. However, element cores are temporary, and their effectiveness decreases over time. Ether chips are generated when you damage enemies with elemental attacks and fill the ether gauge. Ether chips strengthen elemental attacks. In addition to regular bombs, there is also an "element burst" that can only be used when all element gauges are over 50%. Furthermore, there is a system called "Shame Break'' that damages the passenger's body and clothing by damaging the aircraft, and is activated if the opponent's health gauge is emptied within 30 seconds. The player character is also subject to Shame Break, which will be activated if they have 30 or more medals when defeated.

Story

Origins and Inspiration detail the formation of MOSS in 2005 by former Raiden development staff from Seibu Kaihatsu, and how their experience influenced the creation of "Caladrius."^[4]

Design Philosophy mention the collaboration with character designer Suzuhito Yasuda, known for works like "Durarara!!" and "Devil Survivor," and how his involvement shaped the game's aesthetic.^[5]

Characters

• Alex Martin
• Kei Percival
• Maria Therese Bloomfield
• Sophia Fulcanelli
• Nightmare of the Lilith
• Caladrius
• Cecilia N. Albright
• Noah Twinning
• Nina Twinning
• Layis Naje

Antagonists

• Iris A. Baladin
• Eleanor Riegl
• Milia Marivene
• Islay J. Pulsion
• Graham G. Baladin
• Beelzebub

Reception

Famitsu magazine scored Caladrius a 31 out of 40^[6] and Caladrius Blaze a 29 out of 40.^[7]