Bangai-O Spirits…Is It Me?
I’m a huge fan of Treasure and their games. Hell, any company that can pump out classics like Gunstar Heroes, Radiant Silvergun, and Gradius V deserves my cash no matter what they do. But with Bangai-O Spirits, I’m just not feelin’ it. Yet everywhere I look the game is getting rave reviews. What am I missing?
In the spirit of full disclosure, I should probably mention that I never got into the Dreamcast version either. I enjoyed bits of it, but the controls seemed odd and there was something about the game I just didn’t “get”. Nevertheless, I was able to squeeze some enjoyment out of it despite never having a grasp on exactly what the hell it was I was doing. Spirits, while kinda/sorta a remake of the original, is more puzzle game than action/shooter, plopping the player into levels and asking them to find the right combination of weapons to make it through. The problem is that nine times out of ten it becomes more trial-and-error than skill-based play. You choose your weapons before entering the level, and if you haven’t chosen the correct weapons beforehand you’ll face a “Game Over” screen in – no kidding – under five seconds. You’ll then be sent back to the stage selection screen and forced to try another combination of weapons. It’s punishing, unforgiving, and extremely frustrating.
Now that’s not to say that there’s not some cool stuff happening here. Bangai-O’s always had the ‘splosion factor going for it, and when you do find the right combination of weapons and are able to launch one hundred rockets at once, it’s quite satisfying. And starting a chain reaction of screen-filling explosions is fucking awesome. It’s just that the entry barrier for newbies is so steep that it may be difficult for the game to find an audience, despite the publisher’s claim that Bangai-O Spirits “belongs in every DS owner’s library.” Furthermore, the level creator is amazing and allows users to create some really elaborate stages. I’ve already downloaded a level based on the opening stage of Metroid, and that blew my damn mind. But it’s hard to warm up to the game when even the tutorial levels beat the shit out of the player.
So I know there are some hardcore players out there and particularly some big Bangai-O fans who read the site. I adore Treasure and want to adore Bangai-O. So if you can, sell me on this game; tell me what I’m missing. And most importantly: got any tips?
August 14th, 2008 at 7:44 am
What the hell? It’s out already?! o__O
I think I said this back on the old forums, but I never got into Bangai-O either. It’s neat, but just not my thing. I’ll give the DS one a shot though.
August 14th, 2008 at 7:56 am
I thought this didn’t come out till the 18th? What ever, I may pick this up if it ever hit’s the bargain bin just for the level editor
August 14th, 2008 at 8:13 am
Fact: John has an autographed poster of Wario World.
August 14th, 2008 at 8:16 am
Ha! Strangely, I loved that game. Coulda been longer, but I still dug it.
I picked up Bangai-O at GameStop on Wednesday, so yeah…it’s out.
August 14th, 2008 at 10:24 am
I bought the DC version up by you guys, and I’m not really “in to” the game to be honest.
August 14th, 2008 at 11:10 am
I just want that Japanese announcer guy to be going in the background every time I launch a huge volley of missiles. He’s freaking awesome.