Bangai-O Spirits
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| Bangai-O Spirits | |
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| Developer(s) | Treasure Co. Ltd |
| Publisher(s) | Entertainment Software Publishing, D3 Publisher |
| Designer(s) | Yoshiyuki Matsumoto |
| Platform(s) | Nintendo DS |
| Release date |  March 19, 2008 Q4, 2008 |
| Genre(s) | "Missile Action" |
| Mode(s) | Single player, Multiplayer |
| Rating(s) | CERO: All Ages |
| Input methods | D-Pad, buttons, touch screen |
Bangai-O Spirits is an action game for the Nintendo DS, and the sequel to Bangai-O which was released on the Nintendo 64 and Sega Dreamcast.
Like its predecessor, 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.
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[edit] 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.
[edit] 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 Astro Boy: Omega Factor. When asked what game he would like to create next, he said he would like to "carry out Bakuretsu Muteki Bangai-O's revenge." [1]
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.[2] On September 11, 2007, Weekly Famitsu announced the game officially, and it was demonstrated at Tokyo Game Show later that month.
[edit] Localization
On February 25th, 2008, the game was officially announced for a North American release by D3 Publisher of America[3] and is scheduled for the second quarter of 2008.
Treasure will be handling the localization for the game in-house, and adding features they didn't have time to include in the Japanese release.[4] While specifics are yet unknown, Treasure previously did this with the North American version of Astro Boy: Omega Factor, which featured new enemies, difficulty modes, and refined level layouts, and is generally considered a stronger product than the original Japanese version.
[edit] Gameplay
Bangai-O Spirits is similar to the previous title, but with notable differences. A number of gameplay changes have been made since previous titles of the series.
[edit] Weapons
The player is able to choose two weapons from a list that includes various missiles, mellee weapons, and a defensive shield.
[edit] 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 (called the "All Around attack" in the previous game) unleashes loads of missiles. More missiles will be fired the longer you charge the attack, and the closer the player is to enemy projectiles. The exception is the freeze EX Attack, which "freezes" the screen. The direction EX attack sends all of your attack on a single enemy, while the reflector EX attack reflects all the enemy fire on the screen back. It is also notable that in previous titles, the use of the EX Attack could not be combined. In videos, the player can be seen combining the napalm and rebound EX Attack.
[edit] 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.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
[edit] External links
- Official website (Japanese)
- Official DLC - Some levels and replays available for download.
