Gyrostarr

Infobox VG
title= Gyrostarr


caption =
developer = High Voltage Software
publisher = High Voltage Software
engine = Quantum3
released = vgrelease|NA=June 23, 2008 [ [http://gonintendo.com/?p=47028 North America - Gyrostarr hits WiiWare this Monday!] ]
genre = Shoot 'em up
modes = Single-player, Multiplayer
ratings = vgratings|ESRB=E (Everyone)
platforms = Wii (WiiWare)
input = Wii Remote, Nunchuk, Classic Controller

"Gyrostarr" is a sci-fi tube shooter video game developed and published by High Voltage Software. It is one of several video games released exclusively as WiiWare through the Wii Shop Channel. It was released in North America on June 23, 2008.

Gameplay

"Gyrostarr" is described as a sci-fi shooter with 3D graphics procedurally generated by High Voltage Software's Quantum3 game engine, allowing the game's 50 levels of space track to be stored within the 40 megabyte size limit imposed by Nintendo. [http://wii.ign.com/articles/868/868645p1.html IGN: Gyrostarr Preview] ]

Several control schemes are available in the game. Players can choose between motion controls using the Wii Remote, or the buttons and analog joysticks of the Nunchuk. In addition, the Classic Controller is also compatible with the game. A "paired" control system allows two players to use a connected Wii Remote and Nunchuk or Classic Controller at the same time, with one player using the Wii Remote and the other using the attachment. [http://www.wiiware-world.com/news/2008/06/usa_wiiware_update_gyrostarr USA WiiWare Update: Gyrostarr] ]

Up to four players control spaceships as they travel through "a twisting, turning techno-plasma canal in space," the goal being to collect enough energy "to penetrate an alien portal and warp to the next conduit." Not collecting enough energy, which fills a meter at the top of the screen, will result in the player's ship being destroyed at the end of a level. If the player completely fills the energy meter, however, then at the end of the level the player will be transported to a bonus level where no enemies are present and the only objective is to collect as much energy as possible. Players can also collect points in the game to try and beat the high score by destroying enemies and collecting energy. Points multiply and accumulate when the player avoids enemy fire in addition to shooting down enemy spacecraft.

A variety of weapons and power-ups can be found throughout the game. Defensive power-ups have a wide range of effects, such as providing temporary invincibility or slowing down enemies. Player ships also come equipped with a grapple gun, which allows the player to pick up distant power-ups more quickly. Unique for a scrolling shooter game, all power-ups can be targeted, shot, and bounced off the sides of a level, making them more difficult to acquire for other players.

Multiplayer

"Gyrostarr" is capable of supporting up to four players for multiplayer gameplay. Multiplayer can be cooperative or competitive, depending on the actions of the players. This allows for players to either work together to complete a level, or to hamper each other's performance. Player ship positions are staggered across the track of a level; collecting a power-up moves a player to the last position, while collecting energy will eventually move player to the front.

Reception

VG Reviews
1UP =
EuroG =
GSpot =
IGN = 7.2/10 [http://wii.ign.com/articles/884/884202p1.html IGN: Gyrostarr Review] ]
NP =
-
compilation = yes
MC = 78/100
(Based on 6 reviews) [ [http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/wii/gyrostarr?q=Gyrostarr Gyrostarr Reviews at Metacritic] ]
GR = 79%
(Based on 5 reviews) [ [http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/949392.asp Gyrostarr Reviews at Game Rankings] ]

"Gyrostarr" received mixed reviews upon its release. IGN gave "Gyrostarr" an average rating, saying that the graphics were better than many other WiiWare games and praising the co-op experience as being fun. Negative aspects of the game were identified as a lack of challenge in the levels and that the game's sense of speed was severely lacking, with levels starting out slowly and only speeding up near the very end. Overall, "Gyrostarr" was called "a pretty fun experience, though one that we think could use a sequel to really focus, refine, and capitalize on."

ee also

*List of WiiWare games
*High Voltage Software

References

External links

* [http://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/cabm3to-63_yX7hC-onIMTsK5DGLMU5e "Gyrostarr" at Nintendo of America]
* [http://wii.ign.com/objects/142/14249020.html "Gyrostarr" at IGN]
* [http://www.high-voltage.com/ High Voltage Software Official Website]