Play Kokontouzai Eto Monogatari Online

Kokontouzai Eto Monogatari is a 2001 arcade game by Konami that came out during a time when 2D side-scrolling action games were still holding their own against the rise of 3D. It has a distinctive look, with backgrounds that resemble painted scrolls, and it draws from Japanese folklore, specifically the twelve animals of the zodiac, which serve as the game's main obstacles.

You control a young boy who must navigate a series of single-screen stages, each themed around a different animal spirit. Your main goal is to progress through these stages, defeating or outmaneuvering each boss to advance. Key mechanics include using a bow to attack from a distance, interacting with stage elements like lanterns or switches to solve environmental puzzles, and carefully timing your movements to avoid enemy patterns. The pacing is deliberate, and the difficulty can be sharp, especially when learning each boss's unique behavior. It feels like a thoughtful, almost methodical action-puzzle game where every screen demands your full attention.