Nanostray-bought it, beat it, here's my scoop

[Cuddly Knife]

I've had this game about a week, but I didn't want to post about it until I beat it.

First, the goods.
1. Awesome graphics- All the teeny ships and other enemies are nice-looking, and the bosses have some good detail. The backgrounds are well done also. I especially like the astroid level. There is a part where you go into a big-assed 'stroid and it made me feel like I feel when I go down a small but steep hill real fast. Is that called vertigo? Bullets and lasers are brightly colored and big.

2. The sound is also tops. Probably the best sound I've heard in a DS game so far. Explosions and music go nicely with the sound of your ship shootings, and one never overpowers the other.

3. Lots of replay value- The actual mission-based game is fairly short, but it is a longer game than Ikaruga. The replay value shows itself in the Challenge Mode. There, you must beat the levels and finish with the set goal, which could be obtaining a high score, beating the level with one ship, getting a certain amount of Valor(whatever that is, I still haven't looked at the instruction book), winning without using special weapons or bombs and possibly more. And beating these challenges unlocks some cool-looking artwork. I've only beat one of the challenges, and there are twenty+ of them, plus unlocking soundtests for each level.
There's also an Arcade Mode where you can post your scores online. Plus something else, but I can't remember what it is. D'OH!

Now the bads.
This game did not wow me nearly half as much as I was wowed by Iridion 2. Even if I wouldv'e played Nanostray before Iridion 2, I would probably still have the same opinion. It might be because Iridion 2 has twice as many levels as Nanostray. Maybe half the levels means half the wow. Wow is such a stupid word. Wow = Stupid word. The music is also much better in Iridion 2. More techno-ish, and that seems to be my groove these days. Maybe I'll change my mind when I unlock the soundtests.

And finally, the can go either ways.
Controls- I know some of you got scared when you read the reviews on how this game had crappy touch-screen action, but IMO, it's not half as bad as what they made it seem, if you don't mind touching your screen with your finger. Here's the layout. L-shoot regular shooties, R-suck in power-ups and coins, B-shoot secondary enhanced weapons, X- shoot bombs. Touch screen is used to change weapons and scan the boss for weaknesses. I tried to use the thumb nubby to switch my weapons, but they placed the buttons too close to the edge of the screen to make it work well, so I ended up touching dead space most of the time. The screen is sensitive enough so that a light touch from your finger switches the weapons up real nice like. Like anything else, it just takes some time to develop your feel for the controls. It would've been sweetnes if they would've allowed you to choose between the touch-screen and using the regular buttons. IMO, every game on the DS should have that option.

But because of this game, i've been thinking about investing in a screen protector. I was talking to my Gamestop dude, and he said that the protectors have an adhesive that will stay on the touch screen after you take them off. Is it worth it to get one anyways? And what kind should I get?

So my final verdict is if you like shmups as much as me(probably not), then this game is a must to own. If you're a graphics-whore and want to show that the DS is just as capable as the PSP, then this is a must.

[Gadfly2317]

I was hoping for a less positive post, becuase I'm trying to reduce the number of games I get between now and December. This one was already tempting, and what you said reafirmed what I assumed about the touch screen weapons switching. . . not ideal, but not unworkable. Sounds like a cool game. Thanks for the details. . .much more enjoyable coming from a credible shooter fan than the blurby "reviews" in the mags.

Regarding the touch screen protectors, I actually had problems with the pelican TOP screen protector leaving a crap residue like a price tag or something, that I could hardly get off. After that experience, and finally getting my DS clean, I only use the touch protecter, not the top screeen one.

On the touch screen protectors, if it left a residue I didn't notice. I've only changed it once and didn't notice a residue. I hate scratches, and I like being able to touch the screen with my thumb if I want, so a protector is a must. I haven't seen any but the pelican ones. One thing, they start looking scuffy, like in meteos you'll start noticing these verticle "scuff" marks, but turns out when you clean the touch screen protector with provide cloth, they wipe off. The scuff marks seem to actually be your stylus wearing off onto the screen protector. That's why I've hardly had to change mine. In fact, the only reason I changed my first screen protector and bought a second one is a did a lousy job putting it on and it had an annoying air bubble in it.

[Gadfly2317]

You're right Cuddly. This game is really sweet. I really don't see why they didn't allow you to use the shoulder buttons to switch weapons though, but like you said, using your thumb to switch weapons is not that difficult, it would have been much easier with the buttons.

I don't really have much to add to what you already said. Freaking beautiful, if anyone has a DS, loves shooters and want's to see some of what are still some of the top handheld graphics around, this one's a must.

[trebor]

I have the Pelican screen protectors as well, but like Gadfly, I only used the touch screen protector and left the top screen unprotected. Since the top screen isn't the touch screen, I don't really see the need to add the protector. The bottom protector is actually pretty decent - I had to remove and reapply the protector 3 times before I could get it on straight enough for my anal retentiveness, but I never noticed it leaving any adhesive on the screen itself.

Anyways, once the bottom protector is on straight, with no air bubbles, it becomes practically invisible when the system is on. So I'd advise using it.

As far as Nanostray is concerned, if I just finally found a used copy of Ikaruga, do I really need Nanostray? Ikaruga kicks my butt as it is - would you consider it better/harder then Nanostray or what?

[Gadfly2317]

I have the Pelican screen protectors as well, but like Gadfly, I only used the touch screen protector and left the top screen unprotected. Since the top screen isn't the touch screen, I don't really see the need to add the protector. The bottom protector is actually pretty decent - I had to remove and reapply the protector 3 times before I could get it on straight enough for my anal retentiveness, but I never noticed it leaving any adhesive on the screen itself.

Anyways, once the bottom protector is on straight, with no air bubbles, it becomes practically invisible when the system is on. So I'd advise using it.

As far as Nanostray is concerned, if I just finally found a used copy of Ikaruga, do I really need Nanostray? Ikaruga kicks my butt as it is - would you consider it better/harder then Nanostray or what?

You are awesomely lucky to find a used copy of Ikaruga; I think they only made like 30,000 copies. I would say, with all the other DS stuff you are looking at getting, that if you just got Ikaruga, it should take care of your shooter needs for awhile. I played that game here and there for months and months. Keep at it, and it will stop kicking your butt so hard. Ikaruga is one of the coolest shooters I've ever played. It's definitely harder than Nanostray.

That said, if you spot Nanostray used and cheap, definitely pick it up if your budget allows. I woulda liked to bought it new if they'd have dropped the price ($30 is just too much for a short, handheld shooter), you know, poor Majesco is having a helluva time and I like to support companies who put out cool stuff like this, but I'm like you, just too much other stuff that I'm seriously interested; a used Nanostray was an impulse buy--it was the first time I'd lucked on a used copy at a store.

[trebor]

You are awesomely lucky to find a used copy of Ikaruga; I think they only made like 30,000 copies. I would say, with all the other DS stuff you are looking at getting, that if you just got Ikaruga, it should take care of your shooter needs for awhile. I played that game here and there for months and months. Keep at it, and it will stop kicking your butt so hard. Ikaruga is one of the coolest shooters I've ever played. It's definitely harder than Nanostray.

Tell me about it - I've been looking for months for a copy of Ikaruga, and frankly, I'm amazed I found one and for $25 to boot. My only other option was to buy one off of eBay and they usually go for $70 - $80. It's about as rare as a game can get and it is definitely a keeper, that's for sure.

I've was dragging my wife to every Gamestop, EB Games, and Gamecrazy in site to find Ikaruga, to the point that she knew it by name - incidentally, she's the one who found it, while I was checking out DS games, no less.

To the topic though, since I did indeed find Ikaruga, I don't think I'll need Nanostray. I'm not the biggest fan of shoot em' ups, so I only really need one to sate my need to have my ass kicked.