Malicious

A millennium ago humanity was gifted with certain divine power in order to save the world from a being of unreasoning destruction: the Malicious. After they were victorious they were supposed to relinquish their powers to the heavens. They did not. Now, with the threat of the Malicious looming again, the powers needed to defeat it are scattered across the kingdom.

Malicious casts the player as the Spirit Vessel, a being, either male or female, that has been tasked with retaking the divine powers and defeating the Malicious. From the central hub any of the five bosses can be challenged at any time, but defeating a boss will strengthen all the remaining bosses. Each boss is too powerful to fight normally, which is why the Spirit Vessel must first defeat weaker enemies around them to build up Aura points. Aura points can be expended to power up individual attacks, heal, or to enter Burst mode, where normal attacks become effective against the boss. The Spirit Vessel starts with two weapons, a quick, long range projectile and powerful fists, and will acquire more weapons and abilities from the bosses they defeat.

Players are allowed to select whichever stage and even directly enter boss battles in the wished order. Completing the game unlocks a free battle mode and Score Attack mode.