Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Earn your Bangai-O'levels, 3 Sep 2008
Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars
Bangai-O is back and it certainly hasn't mellowed with age.
What you have here (for the newcomer to this delightfully low-profile series) is a small armoured robot with the ability to carry 4 different types of weapon at once. You are then thrown into what passes for a Bangai-O-level which generally means you are within a abstract maze, surrounded and outnumbered by various types of enemy ranging from gun turrets and flying troops to giant ants and humungous bullet spewing robots.......surrounded and outnumbered certainly....but never ever outgunned!
The top screen of the DS is a basic map showing where all the "need-to-kill" enemies are located, the bottom "touch" screen is where the action takes place. There are no touch screen controls to speak of after you enter your name but this doesn't detract from the brilliance of what is to come.
There is a tutorial and three differing level categories. "Treasure's Best ", "Puzzle" and the descriptively named "Other Stages" Unless you're a veteran I'd recommend starting with the tutorial levels which take you through all your abilities and weapons in order and let you put each to the test in a suitable scenario.
If it all begins to seem over complicated and bewildering; don't worry. As you try random levels and inevitably die (a lot) you'll start to understand how each weapon/ability works in conjunction with your surroundings and which weapon to use in which desperate situation. If one tactic fails it's simplicity itself to rotate hardware configurations by using a simple menu system before each level begins again/afresh. Experimentation is the key here.
When you start to "get it" you'll start to love it; simple as that.
The highlight of these games is undoubtably the ability to release up to 100 missiles at once and lay waste to hundreds of enemy missiles creating chain reactions that spread to nearby enemies. On top of this you can freeze time, use a shield, cut through bullet-storms with your sword, release homing missiles, bounce bullets, reflect attacks, dash right through obstacles and enemies and even use a giant baseball bat to swipe objects, missiles and enemies into each other. They're not all the weapons you possess either. Some of the weapon techniques can also be "mixed" to create other effects.
There isn't the time nor the space to describe everything this game has to offer but the most vital piece of information I've missed so far is that you can choose to try any of the 160+ stages at any time and also create, edit and swap your own levels with the Edit function.
This is a clever, surprisingly deep, mind-meltingly intense, intelligent and horribly addictive game which rewards those wise enough to take up the challenge. Business as usual for Treasure!
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2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Ridiculous. Give this game a go at the very least., 5 Sep 2008
Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars
Having played the Japanese version of this game over the past few months, it made sense to pick up the UK version. Having previously enjoyed Treasure games including Astro Boy: Omega Factor, Gunstar Heroes, Sin and Punishment, Ikaruga and Bleach the Blade of Fate, Bangai'O Spirits was a must. If you have played any of the games mentioned in the above sentence, then you will probably know what to expect (Treasures
speciality being amazing shooters and stunning 2D sprites).
Treasure has quite simply managed to cram some of the most utterly incredible 2D graphics and rock solid hardcore gameplay onto a card slightly larger than a postage stamp. In a nutshell, you guide a Robot around open ended levels in search of a main target. On your travels the screen will be filled with destructible objects, enemies and about one million missiles as you try to take out anything that moves. This game has to be seen to be believed, the amount of sublime action unfolding in front of your eyes is unbelievable.
Im barely half way through the game, and yet there is so much more to do. Included in the game is an amazing level editor, and the ability to download sound files which are actually playable levels created by others. Havent a clue how they created this feature, but it makes damn good use of DS hardware.
Without question, this game is truly hardcore. My Xbox 360 is gathering dust this summer, because quite frankly this offers more challenge, innovation and beauty than anything else on the shelves. Too many games are dumbed down these days, but this is superb.
This game isnt for everyone, but at the amazon asking price, its an absolute steal! I encourage you to at least TRY this game, because its not often a game with this much thought and style is released. Go on, try something different for a change.
Thanks to everyone who managed to get this game released outside Japan. Treasure have put out another classic, and out of all the mundane DS games being released, I feel that this one truly deserves your attention.
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2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Blast from the past!, 9 Sep 2008
Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars
Comparing this to its original dreamcast conterpart things have certainly changed a bit - and not for the worst :)
A noticeable thing different is that the difficulty is very high right from the start! I can imagine this frightening people off but the game is so much fun you'd be missing out.
Otherwise plenty more things in this game to shoot at and with, huuuge bosses, unlimited levels thanks to the editor and the (rather odd to use) sound transfer feature so you can send maps to one another through sound :O not to mention the 150 levels that come with the game compared to the odd 40 that the dreamcast version had..
There is no story in sight apart from a small introduction in the tutorial but it is not like that is what this game is about!
In conclusion, a whole load of fun to be had with this game, the map editor is fantastic and the game really sticks true to the original, the visuals are great (I admit I was put off by some videos I watched online) and the controls couldn't be better.
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