How exactly do you write a preview of a Treasure title? I have to confess, I didn't know them by name before I did a little research but I know their titles quite well. When told they had a following - well, I get it. Gunstar Heroes, Yu Yu Hakusho (I don't know why *I* know this one), Silpheed, Ikaruga ... solid, unique games. And the list goes on. Bangai-O Spirits is solid, it is unique, and it is probably the most frenetic shooter I have ever seen. This is coming from someone who is 36-years old and has been playing shooters for 29 years.
Ok, the story. You are a space pirate stealing space fruit to avoid space scurvy.
You have 150 levels to survive in space on this platform shooter. (There are 87 levels if you decide to run out and get the Japanese version early - I'd suggest waiting.) However, being story based, you can save after levels - thankfully! No arcade action for j00!
As a lone space pirate the game can be ... difficult. It is you against the space station, ships, and other pirates defending the fruit. Consider: The game includes both a timer to let you know exactly how long you didn't make it on the level as well as a counter to let you know how many missiles are on the screen at once. The PR rep said they'd seen it reach as high as 250.
The gameplay doesn't change from single to multi-player. 200 bazillion enemies in single player is still 200 bazillion in multi but this is the beauty of the game. Multi-player is up to 4 person ad-hoc. When the insanity ensues and there are 4 of you screaming "get him! Back there! No you ****, that way!" It's all good fun.
Oh, and there's a rather unique level editor. (For all you Brits who played with a ZX Specturm this may sound familiar.) Once you create your level, you output through the audio and then record it using the DS's speaker. I know, you're thinking, "What's the point, it has Wi-Fi?" (Ok, if you're not thinking that someone is because 3 people said that to me.)
Consider recording it to your phone or uploading the file to a BBS that collects them or let your imagination wander (airplane?). The point is you are no longer tied to using Wi-Fi to transfer files. Just plug in headphones and play it - play the .wav file from your phone...just PLAY it. Who knows what they'll use the technology for next?
I like any game that lets multiple people play on one cart. If it uses cool technology, well I pretend I'm not a technophile but shhh. And lots of crazy shooting - space pirates who need space fruit to prevent space scurvy. I'm sorry, that has to be the best non-story story line EVER. If you're a Treasure fan, this one is due out in the second quarter of this year. And if you're not, well...don't enter space if I'm there because I'll have all the fruit.
I'm a mother of two boys, ages 7 and 10 and live in the chaos that ensues. I've a permanent disability that keeps me homebound, so books, kids, games and books are my constant companions. Oh, and books, too. *grins*
My children both play games so I often play them first, getting to know exactly how something may effect my sensitive and easily stimulated older child vs. my stoic and imperturbable younger.
I like games for games; for the pure enjoyment of them and believe that no game is wholly bad, though some are real stinkers.
I also have the dexterity of a camel in mittens so find playing FPSs difficult (and I also don't like the gore) and RTSs at times can stump me. I just can't seem to move quickly enough to keep up with them. Some of my favorite games are arcade games and I'll spend 3-5 years on the same 5-6 levels because I just never get any better. But, I have fun.
