Bangai-O Spirits

Infobox VG
title = Bangai-O Spirits


developer = Treasure Co. Ltd
publisher = vgrelease|JP=ESP Software|NA=D3 Publisher
designer = Yoshiyuki Matsumoto
engine =
released = vgrelease|JP=March 19, 2008|NA=August 12, 2008|PAL=August 29, 2008
genre = "Missile Action"
modes = Single player, Multiplayer
ratings = vgratings|ESRB=Everyone 10+
platforms = Nintendo DS
media =
requirements =
input = D-Pad, buttons, touch screen

nihongo|"Bangai-O Spirits"|バンガイオー魂|Bangaiō Supirittsu is an action game for the Nintendo DS, and the sequel to "Bangai-O" which was released on the Nintendo 64 and Sega Dreamcast.

"Bangai-O Spirits" is a side-scrolling shooting game with free-scrolling levels that extend horizontally and vertically. The player controls a robot with the ability to fly, but is still affected by gravity. He has seven weapons to choose from, and can perform melee attacks using a baseball bat or sword.

The game has 160 levels, and features a level editor to create more. Edited levels can be encoded in a sound that can be recorded with a computer and shared between players. This technology was inspired by the datacasettes used by some older computers, including the Sharp X1 on which Matsumoto learned to program.

Plot

Bangai-O Spirits has very little story line, and is not part of the same continuity as the previous game. The two new pilots are called Masato (boy) and Ruri (girl). The campaign mode is limited to a brief set of tutorial stages.

Production

In a rare breach of the company's usual secrecy about future plans, developer Yoshiyuki Matsumoto first hinted at a sequel to "Bangai-O" in a 2003 interview on Sega's website to promote the game "". When asked what game he would like to create next, he said he would like to "carry out "Bakuretsu Muteki Bangai-O's" revenge." [ [http://web.archive.org/web/20040214033133/sega.jp/community/creators/vol_25/2.html 開発者インタビュー「Creators Note」 ＃２５ やいまん ] ]

Treasure began working on a concept demo before a publisher was involved. Full production followed the completion of their previous handheld release, "Bleach DS 2nd". When publisher ESP approached them about a possible collaboration, "Bangai-O" seemed like a logical fit. [ [http://ds.ign.com/articles/854/854747p1.html IGN: Treasure Talks Bangai-O for DS ] ] On September 11, 2007, Weekly Famitsu announced the game officially, and it was demonstrated at Tokyo Game Show later that month.

Localization

On August 12, 2008, the game has been released in North American by D3 Publisher of America.

Treasure has handled the localization for the game in-house, adding features they did not have time to include in the Japanese release. [ [http://www.1up.com/do/previewPage?cId=3166696&p=39 Bangai-O Spirits Nintendo DS Preview, Bangai-O Spirits Preview ] ] Treasure previously did this with the North American version of "", which featured new enemies, difficulty modes, and refined level layouts, and is generally considered a stronger product than the original Japanese version.Fact|date=September 2008

Gameplay

Weapons

The player is able to choose two weapons from a list that includes various missiles, melee weapons, and a defensive shield.

EX Weapons

The player is also able to choose two EX weapons from a list of homing, napalm, rebound, break, direction, reflector, and freeze. The use of the EX Attack unleashes loads of missiles. More missiles will be fired the longer one charges the attack, and the closer one is to enemy projectiles. The exception is the freeze EX Attack, which "freezes" the screen, but this is still affected by the amount of projectiles en route to the player. The direction EX attack sends all of the attack at a single enemy, while the reflector EX attack reflects all the enemy fire.

Other abilities

Also added is the ability for the player to dash. While dashing the player moves forward faster than normal and is able to both damage and travel through enemies and scenery but cannot fire.

A new defensive skill is the ability to knockback enemies and objects. The bat, dash, and reflect EX are the only ways to knockback enemies. Enemies that are knockedback can knockback other enemies which could cascade into a very large and damaging "wave" of knockedback enemies.

Reception

Hardcore Gamer gave the game a 4.5 out of 5 saying it was a fantastic shooter. They also said the sheer customizability of it is amazing. [ cite web| title=Hardcore Gamer: Bangai-O Spirits Review| publisher=Hardcore Gamer | url=http://www.hardcoregamer.com/index.php?option=com_magazine&id_rubrique=1&type=article&id_article=1714| date=| accessdate=2008-08-08] GameSpot gave it 8.0/10. [http://www.gamespot.com/ds/action/bangaiospirits/review.html]

ee also

* "Bangai-O"

References

External links

* [http://www.esp-web.co.jp/products/bangai-o/index.html Official website] jp icon
* [http://www.esp-web.co.jp/products/bangai-o/special_download.html Official DLC] - Some levels and replays available for download.