"Nanostray, a Galaxy of Fun!"

Introduction

Nanostray is brilliant title for the Nintendo DS. This game is amazing. I got it about one year after its release. I have heard a lot of bad things about this game as well. Well if you read anything bad about this game, come read this review again, and wash those bad thoughts away.

Nanostray is a simple looking, 3D, space shooter. This game works on rails. It could be compared to Galaga, or a number of space shooters on the GBA. One thing about Nanostray is, it's a very intense game. You will find it very hard on anything higher than normal difficulty. If you like games that are very intense, this game is for you.

Gameplay 10/10

This is where the game actually shines. It is very intense, and requires much skill. Also the level plays the same every time, so it is a matter of learning to dodge attacks, and what can hurt you, and where.

With 8 different levels, this game could last 4 hours, or 1. If you are skilled at games, I recommend starting on advanced, because normal just wont be fun. This game is also arcade style, and at the end of each level, there is a boss. There is an area of the touch screen in which you can monitor the bosses health and weak spots. Each boss has its own set of moves, which it performs in a routine. Some times you need to get a boss down to a certain health amount for it to start using better moves.

It is time to talk about the main character now. You have 4 weapons, and 4 subweapons. Each weapon has its own subweapon, which shares some properties of the main version. The subweapons are much stronger than the main, but subweapons drain energy. You can restore energy by destroying the occasional “waves” of ships that appear.

That is Nanostray in a nutshell.

Graphics 10/10

Well, aside from the fact that this is probably the best looking game for the DS, the detail is incredible. I really had doubts that the DS could render graphics of this quality. Apparently it can. Since during the game it may be hard to focus on the detail with all danger around you, you can unlock ship models, wallpaper, and even music. Good job Shin'en

Sound 9/10

Not much to say. A lot of it sounds very similar, but it fits the feel of the game well. Music gets intense as the game does. My favorite part is that you can listen to music once you beat certain challenges. That brings me to my next point in the review…

Replay Value 10/10

This game has wonderful replay. It's just like an arcade machine that gobbles up your quarters, but this one doesn't gobble. There is an arcade mode which is replaying single player for better scores. There is a challenge mode in which you can try to unlock things by replaying levels and surpassing a certain score, or not losing a life during the level. That is fun, but very hard. This game will last you a very long time.

Multiplayer 9/10

The multiplayer is very good for a space shooter. You can player based on score, lives or time, in which 2 people play the same level on the same screen, but 2 different DS's. You have to just play the level, but do better than the other, whilst you cannot interfere with them directly. But try to steal their kills so you have a higher score. The best part is that it is fully download playable, meaning they get the full multiplayer, off one cartridge.

Overall 10/10

Great game, good sound and graphics, and wonderful multiplayer.

Rent or Buy: Buy

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 07/07/06