Bangai-O Spirits
{{Short description|2008 video game}}
{{Infobox video game
|title = Bangai-O Spirits
|image = Bangai-O Spirits Coverart.png
|developer = Treasure
|publisher = {{vgrelease|JP|Entertainment Software Publishing|NA|D3 Publisher|AUS|AFA Interactive}}
|director = Mitsuru Yaida
|designer = Makoto Ogino
|composer = Norio Hanzawa
|engine =
|released = {{vgrelease|JP|March 19, 2008|NA|August 12, 2008|PAL|August 29, 2008}}
|genre = Shoot 'em up
|modes = Single player, multiplayer
|platforms = Nintendo DS
}}
Bangai-O Spirits{{efn|{{Nihongo|Bangai-O Spirits|バンガイオー魂|Bangaiō Supirittsu}}}} is a shoot 'em up for the Nintendo DS, and the sequel to Bangai-O which was released on the Nintendo 64 and Dreamcast. A sequel, Bangai-O HD: Missile Fury, was released in 2011.
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.
Upon completing all of the stages under "Treasure's Best" in free mode, a brief cutscene will play, with one of the characters saying, "We're only here because the fanboys would throw a fit on the internet if the game didn't have an ending."
Development
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".{{cite web|url=https://sega.jp/fb/creators/vol_25/2.html|title=開発者インタビュー「Creators Note」 ＃２５ やいまん|language=ja|website=Sega|accessdate=December 10, 2023|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180105233712/https://sega.jp/fb/creators/vol_25/2.html|archivedate=January 5, 2018|url-status=dead}}
Treasure began working on a concept demo before a publisher was involved. Full production followed the completion of their previous handheld release, Bleach: Dark Souls. When publisher ESP approached them about a possible collaboration, Bangai-O seemed like a logical fit.{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/02/25/treasure-talks-bangai-o-for-ds|title=Treasure Talks Bangai-O for DS|author=Craig Harris|date=February 25, 2008|website=IGN|publisher=Ziff Davis|accessdate=December 10, 2023|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20221216053521/https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/02/25/treasure-talks-bangai-o-for-ds|archivedate=December 16, 2022|url-status=live}} It was demonstrated at Tokyo Game Show in September.
The game was released in North America by D3 Publisher of America on August 12, 2008.
Treasure handled the localization for the game in-house, adding features they did not have time to include in the Japanese release.{{cite web|url=http://www.1up.com/previews/bangai-o-spirits_4|title=Bangai-O Spirits (Preview)|author=Jeremy Parish|date=February 26, 2008|website=1Up.com|publisher=Ziff Davis|accessdate=December 10, 2023|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160616170752/http://www.1up.com/previews/bangai-o-spirits_4|archivedate=June 16, 2016|url-status=dead}} 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.
Gameplay
The player is able to choose two weapons from a list that includes various missiles, melee weapons, and a defensive shield.
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.
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
{{Video game reviews
| MC = 83/100{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/bangai-o-spirits/|title=Bangai-O Spirits|website=Metacritic|publisher=Fandom|accessdate=December 10, 2023|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20231110233738/https://www.metacritic.com/game/bangai-o-spirits/|archivedate=November 10, 2023|url-status=live}}
| EuroG = 10/10{{cite web|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/bangai-o-spirits-review|title=Bangai-O Spirits [JP Import]|author=Dave McCarthy|date=May 5, 2008|website=Eurogamer|publisher=Gamer Network|accessdate=December 10, 2023|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140209033741/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/bangai-o-spirits-review|archivedate=February 9, 2014|url-status=live}}
| Fam = 29/40{{cite magazine|url=https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=2781&redirect=no|title=バンガイオー魂 BANGAI-O SPIRITS|language=ja|magazine=Famitsu|publisher=Enterbrain|accessdate=December 10, 2023|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151128205636/https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=2781|archivedate=November 28, 2015|url-status=live}}
| GI = 7.5/10{{cite magazine|url=http://gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/EEB77EB2-B6AD-4E4A-B02C-8DAF04185AE2.htm|title=Bangai-O Spirits|author=Matt Miller|magazine=Game Informer|publisher=GameStop|issue=185|date=September 2008|access-date=December 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081004022922/http://gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/EEB77EB2-B6AD-4E4A-B02C-8DAF04185AE2.htm|archive-date=October 4, 2008|url-status=dead}}
| GD = 8/10{{cite web|url=http://www.gamedaily.com/games/bangai-o-spirits/ds/game-reviews/review/7536/2108/|title=Bangai O Spirits [sic] Review|author=Robert Workman|date=August 19, 2008|website=GameDaily|publisher=AOL|accessdate=December 10, 2023|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080825130835/http://www.gamedaily.com/games/bangai-o-spirits/ds/game-reviews/review/7536/2108/|archivedate=August 25, 2008|url-status=dead}}
| GameRev = A−{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/41564-bangai-o-spirits-review|title=Bangai-O Spirits Review|author=Brian Rowe|date=August 14, 2008|website=GameRevolution|publisher=CraveOnline|accessdate=December 10, 2023|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150908234015/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/bangai-o-spirits|archivedate=September 8, 2015|url-status=live}}
| GSpot = 8/10{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/bangai-o-spirits-review/1900-6196209/|title=Bangai-O Spirits Review|author=Carolyn Petit|date=August 19, 2008|website=GameSpot|publisher=Fandom|accessdate=December 10, 2023|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210228165241/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/bangai-o-spirits-review/1900-6196209/|archivedate=February 28, 2021|url-status=live}}
| GSpy = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite web|url=http://ds.gamespy.com/nintendo-ds/bangai-o-spirits/899833p1.html|title=GameSpy: Bangai-O Spirits|author=Phil Theobald|date=August 18, 2008|website=GameSpy|publisher=IGN Entertainment|accessdate=December 10, 2023|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080821123227/http://ds.gamespy.com/nintendo-ds/bangai-o-spirits/899833p1.html|archivedate=August 21, 2008|url-status=live}}
| HCG = 4.5/5{{cite magazine|url=http://www.hardcoregamer.com/index.php?option=com_magazine&id_rubrique=1&type=article&id_article=171|title=Bangai-O Spirits|author1=Karin "Kitty" Renoux|author2=Geson "Racewing" Hatchett|magazine=Hardcore Gamer|publisher=Prima Games|volume=4|issue=3|date=September 2008|accessdate=December 10, 2023|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090928234651/http://www.hardcoregamer.com/index.php?option=com_magazine&id_rubrique=1&type=article&id_article=171|archivedate=September 28, 2009|url-status=dead}}
| NP = 8/10{{cite magazine|title=Bangai-O Spirits|magazine=Nintendo Power|publisher=Future US|volume=232|date=September 2008|page=84}}
| PG = {{Rating|4.5|5}}{{cite web|url=https://www.pocketgamer.com/bangai-o-spirits/bangai-o-spirits/|title=Bangai-O Spirits [JP Import]|author=Damien McFerran|date=April 29, 2008|website=Pocket Gamer|publisher=Steel Media Ltd|accessdate=December 10, 2023|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230902043549/https://www.pocketgamer.com/bangai-o-spirits/bangai-o-spirits/|archivedate=September 2, 2023|url-status=live}}
| Retro = 93%{{cite magazine|title=Bangai-O Spirits|author=Darran Jones|magazine=Retro Gamer|publisher=Imagine Publishing|issue=57|date=November 6, 2008}}
}}
The game received "favorable" reviews according to the review aggregation website Metacritic. In Japan. Famitsu gave it a score of 29 out of 40. Eurogamer called it "glorious, eclectic, furiously inventive, dizzying, baffling, confusing, witty, clever and beautiful." GameRevolution compared the game to Geometry Wars.
Edge gave the Japanese import nine out of ten, saying, "While certainly being Treasure's most fragmented game, there's a sense that the lack of narrative, character and even proper framework makes this its most raw, pure and delightful."{{cite magazine|title=Bangai-O Spirits [JP Import]|author=Edge staff|magazine=Edge|publisher=Future plc|issue=189|date=June 2008|page=95}} GameZone also gave the game nine out of ten, calling it "one of the toughest, craziest, most variety-packed titles you'll ever play."{{cite web|url=http://nds.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r34473.htm|title=Bangai-O Spirits Review|author=Dylan Platt|date=August 28, 2008|website=GameZone|accessdate=December 10, 2023|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081007140230/http://nds.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r34473.htm|archivedate=October 7, 2008|url-status=dead}} GamePro said of the game, "It's obviously aimed squarely at the hardcore DS gamer; and while the intense action and high difficulty will probably turn off the casual crowd, it's a solid shooter for anyone who's looking for a challenge."{{cite magazine|url=http://www.gamepro.com/nintendo/ds/games/reviews/206518.shtml|title=Review: Bangai-O Spirits provides a ton of bang for your buck|author=Aaron Koehn|magazine=GamePro|publisher=IDG|issue=240|date=September 2008|page=84|accessdate=December 10, 2023|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080817221954/http://www.gamepro.com/nintendo/ds/games/reviews/206518.shtml|archivedate=August 17, 2008|url-status=dead}}{{efn|GamePro gave the game 3.5/5 for graphics, two 4/5 scores for sound and control, and 3.75/5 for fun factor.}}
Ron Burke of Gaming Trend mentioned that he was surprised that this game allows him to load sounds, a feature he says, is absent in other games.{{cite web|url=http://gamingtrend.com/feature/reviews/bangai-o-spirits-review/|title=Bangai-O Spirits Review|author=Ron Burke|date=September 15, 2008|website=Gaming Trend|accessdate=December 10, 2023|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180105070258/http://gamingtrend.com/feature/reviews/bangai-o-spirits-review/|archivedate=January 5, 2018|url-status=dead}}
The game was a nominee for Best Shooting Game{{cite web|url=http://bestof.ign.com/2008/ds/8.html|title=Best of 2008 (DS: Best Shooting Game)|date=December 15, 2008|website=IGN|publisher=IGN Entertainment|accessdate=December 19, 2008|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081219041637/http://bestof.ign.com/2008/ds/8.html|archivedate=December 19, 2008|url-status=dead}} and Best Use of Sound{{cite web|url=http://bestof.ign.com/2008/ds/15.html|title=Best of 2008 (DS: Best Use of Sound)|date=December 15, 2008|website=IGN|publisher=IGN Entertainment|accessdate=December 19, 2008|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081219042736/http://bestof.ign.com/2008/ds/15.html|archivedate=December 19, 2008|url-status=dead}} for the Nintendo DS by IGN in their 2008 video game awards.
Tim Rogers, writing for Kotaku, ranked the game at #1 in his 2018 retrospective on the best games released in 2008 calling it "a game God would play".{{cite web|url=https://kotaku.com/the-best-games-of-2008-1831362552|title=The Best Games of 2008|author=Tim Rogers|date=December 28, 2018|website=Kotaku|publisher=G/O Media|accessdate=September 17, 2023}}
{{clear}}
Notes
{{notelist}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|https://web.archive.org/web/20080525170745/http://www.esp-web.co.jp/products/bangai-o/index.html}} {{in lang|ja}}
- {{moby game|id=/36363/bangai-o-spirits/}}
{{Treasure video games}}
Category:Entertainment Software Publishing games
Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games
Category:Nintendo DS-only games
Category:Treasure (company) games