Nano Assault – The Review

This game was reviewed on the Nintendo 3DS.

Winter is here and with it comes cold – in more than just temperature.  With people getting sick, Majesco and Shin’en have come up with a fun way to rid the body of viruses with their new game Nano Assault.  This bullet-hell style shooter pits you against different viruses and corrupt organisms as you make your way through cell clusters in your nano ship, all on the 3DS.

Let’s face it: who doesn’t want a chance to go directly after the winter blues – and with pure firepower no less?  Travelling the surface of cells, players collect DNA fragments and defeat viruses to purify the cell cluster. You must collect 3 fragments to move on while dodging enemies, or energy balls that your adversaries can shoot, all in 3D.  Getting hit by a ball or enemy causes you to lose a life.  Shin’en makes gameplay easy with its tight controls.  The A, B, X, and Y buttons all fire in their respective directions (X shoots forward, B backward, A right, and Y left).  Steering uses the thumb stick and can adjust the sensitivity to your liking, that way you don’t turn too fast or to slow.  What really takes the game to the next level, however, is the graphics.

Nano Assault makes great use of the 3DS’s hardware capabilities.  The 3D models and textures are quite beautifully done with enemy designs matching the environment they are introduced in. By enabling the 3D stereoscope, players can really experience the uneven terrain their ship is flying across.

Another interesting aspect was that I found the music made gameplay a more immersive experience, helping my focus.  Each level had a techno overtone, adding to the intensity of any given situation.  Upbeat rhythms are aided by electronic blips to form a cohesive soundtrack.  The music helps calm the nerves a bit, especially when the game becomes very challenging. The main menu even contains a jukebox so you can listen to the tunes after unlocking them.

Shin’en puts forth a game that piques the perfect combination of annoyance and player determination. This is what captures players and keeps them going.  You know you are angry but it’s not a normal fury; rather, it’s more of a determined anger, and you will do whatever it takes to beat the level. More games would ship much higher quantities if they perfected the formula that has been shown with Nano Assault.  It makes you think you’ve got it…and then strikes you down.  This core piece of the game is what really makes it so great.

The simple run and gun style with item-collection elements works perfectly for this title.  With extras like an Arcade mode and a virus encyclopedia, the developer has really packed in the content.  Games like this are what really keep people entertained. With great button layout and sensitivity adjustment, addicting difficulty, and fantastic mechanics I call Nano Assault a must buy for the 3DS.  Shin’en hit the nail on the head and gave gamers something to really get into in the form of a simple shooter.  It seems this time simplicity is better.

Nano Assault receives a 5/5