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How Metascores Are Calculated
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1 vs. 100
Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games. |
You slowly come back to life in your spacecraft. It feels like you were unconscious only for seconds. Faded impressions of pain and humiliation dominate your thoughts. Instinctively, you look up at your console; it’s still indicating a destination. Upgradeable weapons and sub-weapons, boasting tons of fire power to decimate your enemies. Touch screen features such as boss scanning, on-the-fly weapon management, live radar and hyperspace controls. 10+ stages to conquer; battle through environments like subterranean minefields, arctic mountains and hell-like lava fields. Unlockable features and game modes add re-playability once players complete their campaign. 2-player co-op and head-to-head wireless functionality. Online ranking system via www.nanostray.com allows players to post their high scores and compete against best in the world. [Majesco]
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more... 93
Game Chronicles
Once your thumb learns the locations of those four weapon-select spots, you’ll be able to tear through wave after wave of enemy ships in what is easily the best looking and intensely challenging game on the DS to date.
 88
BonusStage
It may not take full advantage of the DS’s unique hardware functions, however the outstanding level of quality in gameplay, graphics and audio make for a sublime and addictive portable-shooter experience that’s too good to pass up.
85
Gamezilla!
An impressive looking and playing game with strong multiplayer capabilities. Pick it up if you like this style of game or are in need of another game you can put into your “completed” pile.
85
Stuff
Nanostray's old school, Galaga-style, kill 'em all action left us with sweaty armpits and racing hearts.
85
Play Magazine
Highly replayable. It's also insanely beautiful. I'll wear this cart out; it's just a remarkable old-school shooter. [Aug 2005, p.55]
85
GameBrink
A few more stages could have been nice, but after speaking with some of the developers I learned that Majesco didn’t give a long enough deadline.
84
N-Insanity
Despite having an incredibly short adventure mode (8 missions which last about 5 minutes each), Nanostray brings a surprising amount of content to the table.
82
Gaming Nexus
The multiplayer’s lack of depth compounds another problem: this game is painfully short. It spans only eight levels, and most of the replay value comes from the arcade mode, where you try for higher scores.
82
VGPub
A perfect handheld game that’s easy to pick up and play. Those who can overlook the game’s minor flaws will have a lot of fun.
80
Nintendo Power
A great introduction to space shooting for the DS and a worthy successor to "Shin'en" and Majesco's "Iridion" games for the GBA. [Sept 2005, p.85]
80
GamerFeed
I love Nanostray. It's got gameplay that holds up well despite the lack of additional stages, and you can link up against a friend for two-player damage. Furthermore, it looks spectacular, better than most DS games before it.
80
IGN
What this game does, however is give the Nintendo DS library a real kick in the pants with an energetic production, fast-paced action, and some extremely challenging elements that will keep you going for some time.
80
Modojo
A wonderful surprise, a shooter that really engulfs you in its features and its presentation, and it shouldn't be missed.
80
AceGamez
While the challenge mode will appeal to purists and the multiplayer mode to those with lots of friends lucky enough to own a DS, this lack of length in the story mode is going to put off people who enjoy the journey as much as the fight.
80
Game Informer
Even with the touch screen, there's not a lot new here, but it's definitely an engaging addition to the DS family. [Sept 2005, p.115]
80
IC-Games
Nanostray is a great little shoot ‘em up and of course a portable one at that.
79
Armchair Empire
Wave after wave of deftly animated and designed enemies target your ship with a never-ending barrage of laser fire.
76
WHAM! Gaming
The graphics in Nanostray are some of the prettiest on the DS, hands down. The environments are varied, there is a ton of vibrant colours and except for some very rare slowdowns, the game runs at a smooth 60 FPS, no small feat considering how much is always going on on both screens.
75
Nintendophiles
While there are only eight levels and gameplay could be more polished (such as improved enemies and a worthwhile Multiplayer mode), Nanostray still offers everything you could expect from a shooter.
75
NintendoWorldReport
There aren't many shmup games released at all outside of Japan, so DS owners are lucky to get not just any shmup, but a beautiful new one that sticks close to the high scoring spirit of the genre's beloved classics.
74
Jolt Online Gaming UK
Nanostray is great fun to play. Unfortunately, the “nano” part of the title seems to be indicative of it having the lifespan of a gnat, and the gulf between the extremely easy (but great) Adventure mode and the overly-hard Challenge mode (which will put off all but the most ridiculously hardcore) is baffling.
70
EuroGamer
But like a train journey with a friend, a few hours can be lots of fun, but then you've arrived at your destination, the conversations are put back in your bag, and the rest of your life is ready for the living.
70
Deeko
The game itself if still a lot of fun and fans of shmups will rave over it, but it is flawed and that alone makes the game a niche purchase only.
70
Cheat Code Central
The flashy graphics and rocking tunes will bring you right back to when shooters were king of the hill. If memories of Gradius or R-Type fill your heart with goodness, Nanostray will slap a smile on your face for a few hours.
70
GameZone
If anyone can justify spending $40 for a game that's shorter than every full-length movie released in the past decade, disregard the score and dive in. Just remember: this is a fling, not a long-term relationship.
70
Thunderbolt
Nanostray reminds us what we love about the genre: a bunch of amazing weapons, tons of enemies, and some awe-inspiring background levels. Is it a decent game? Certainly. However, it’s far from perfect.
70
NTSC-uk
It remains a thoroughly enjoyable, good all-round handheld shooter that's accessible to all ages and playing skills, with lots of replay value that demonstrates that, thanks to technology, good portable shooters are now possible once more.
70
GameCube Europe
Truthfully, it isn’t a bad game, but its appeal only reachs a small niche.
70
Adrenaline Vault
There's plenty of great stuff to be found in this offering, but it just doesn't feel like it's all been pulled together in a tight enough fashion.
69
Worth Playing
If not for issues with the touch screen, and especially the simple yet deep problems set off by Shin'en's camera angle choice, I might have gone as far as to write my letter of recommendation for Nanostray to sit in non-Japanese shmup classic status, along with Amiga greats like Apidya.
68
My Gamer
Because Nanostray is not a particularly bad game, it is somewhat disappointing that the game felt so half-assed. The retro gameplay with a modern twist is charming and entertaining, but right before the time it becomes a must-buy, the ending credits appear.
65
GameCritics
Nanostray's controls may have fixed something that wasn't broken, but even so, it still managed to provide a pleasing, fast-paced jaunt through the cosmos.
65
GameSpot
Underneath Nanostray's excellent presentation is a game that's not nearly as good as its sources of inspiration. A weak multiplayer mode, repetitive level design (even for a shoot-'em-up), and limited replay value put Nanostray squarely in the "almost, but not quite" category.
65
1UP
The mere existence of this game means that there are people out there with their hearts in the right place...which makes the end results all the more heartbreaking.
65
Gaming Target
It's fun in spurts and, as I said, the only game in town for shooter fans on the DS.
60
Times Online
Nice idea, chaps, but for now I’ll stick to Galaxian on my PSP.
60
netjak
There's absolutely no reason to own this game. Even a shooter fan like myself isn't going to find enough reason to keep this game around any longer than 3 days tops.
60
DarkStation
I can't emphasize enough how much potential this game had on the Nintendo DS, but unfortunately none of this was put to use and we are left with a sub-par video game that I would only recommend at most as a rental.
60
G4 TV
One has to wonder, however, whether or not there's a price to be paid for the dazzling graphical presentation. Could it explain why the level design is so utterly boring? Aside from background variations, each stage plays almost identical to the others.
58
Gaming Age
Nanostray is a technological marvel that winds up being a fairly large disappointment.
50
Edge Magazine
If there isn't a great deal of sophistication, there also isn't much in the way of mucking around. Flying up the screen making things go pop has been reliably entertaining for decades. [Oct 2005, p.95]
50
Electronic Gaming Monthly
Nanostray should come in a plain white box labeled VERTICAL SPACE SHOOTER--it's as generic as games come.
50
GameSpy
Weak weapons, dodgy dodging, and the most oppressive scoring system in years all rob Nanostray of any momentum it might have mustered.
Zethrin H. gave it a10: Mihailo D. gave it a10: Huker gave it an8: Aero P. gave it a7: Rob S. gave it a9: Frank D. gave it a10: You guys aren't shmups fans . gave it a9: |
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