Hani in the Sky

Hani in the Sky is a vertically scrolling shoot 'em up developed by Face exclusively for the PC Engine. You control Hani, a sentient haniwa figurine—ancient Japanese clay burial figures reimagined as a cute, flying hero. Sent by the deity Izanagi, your mission is to shoot down demonic spirits and youkai to rescue Izanami. The game's most distinctive feature is Hani's ability to rotate his weapon in eight directions using the action button, allowing you to fire in any direction regardless of movement. Enemies drop money when defeated, which can be spent in a shop accessible by pausing the game. Here you can purchase speed upgrades, autofire, three-way shots, extra health, invincibility bubbles, and homing weapons. The game features eight stages that loop with increased difficulty. Some stages include branching paths with question mark icons that trigger odd effects like monochrome visuals.

PC Engine

Released exclusively in Japan on March 1, 1989, on HuCard, never localized for Western markets. The game is one of the first home-exclusive shoot 'em ups, never appearing in arcades. Critics praise its catchy, moody soundtrack and the strategic depth of its shop system, which allows teleporting to previously cleared stages. The rotatable weapon mechanic is well-implemented and essential for dealing with enemies from all sides. However, there is no scoring system, which kills long-term replayability. The menus are entirely in Japanese and cumbersome. The second loop increases difficulty to absurd levels. A sequel, Hani on the Road, later shifted to ground-based action-platforming. Despite quirks, Hani in the Sky remains a beloved cult oddity for its bizarre protagonist and unique mechanics.