The first Nintendo 3DS game by developer Shin’en and last for the series.
Developer: Shin’en
Publisher: Majesco Entertainment
Release Date: January 26, 2012
Score: 3.8 / 5
Shin’en finally tackles the Nintendo 3DS with the last in the series of Nano games, Nano Assault. This game, which is the third in the trilogy, doesn’t have much to offer when it comes to the story. From the brief introduction, you learn that you’re on a ship that managed to obtain a sample of the Nano Stray virus. Using Nanite technology, you’ll be analyzing and probing down to the cellular level to find a cure.
Once the introduction is out of the way, you’re presented with the first level which gives you a taste of what’s to come, albeit a much easier dose. There are two types of levels in Nano Assault. The first is a free roaming experience, where your ship is on a microbe looking for bad bits to destroy. The other is akin to Star Fox and is an on-rails, front-facing shooter. The levels aren’t referred to as such; instead they’re cells inside clusters. For the sake of simplicity, the cells will be referred to as levels.
In every cluster, you’ll start with a level that’s the free roaming type. When you start playing, one of the first details that you’ll notice is the graphics. Each microbe has been rendered beautifully, especially in 3D. The caveat here is that there are the occasional spots where the frame rate takes a nose dive, but only briefly. When playing the free roaming levels, your object is to collect three DNA strands that have been scattered throughout, as well as defeat the nasty organisms trying to destroy your nano ship. Occasionally after you destroy enemies, they’ll drop stone looking objects that you can collect; ninety-nine of them give you another permanent life. You can gain up to nine ships, which also carries over to arcade mode. You have a number of specials at your disposal as well, and all have different styles of attack. Seka VR is a homing beam, Reydion is a powerful blast, Garan Q shields your ship with an energy beam for a short time, and Eyram/XS surrounds your ship with three protective plasma bursts. Only the Seka VR and Reydion specials can be utilized on the front facing levels, however. Using these specials consumes power, which you’re only given a limited amount of per life.
When all is said and done, there are thirty-two levels to complete. Although I managed to finish the game in approximately four to five hours, due to my horrible piloting skills it felt longer than that. Once I did get to the end of story mode, it felt extremely abrupt, though the story is on the back burner instead of being at the forefront. If that seems short though, not to fear; Arcade Mode is where the majority of the playing takes place. In Arcade Mode, which is only unlocked after completing Story Mode, you are able to go back to all the different levels to complete challenges. Each level has a different challenge, so you won’t always be going after a high score or may not need to be as cautious with your ships. There is also the ability to upload these scores online and compete against others worldwide. If the urge comes to fight bosses only, there are three boss rush modes that allow you to do that as well.
After completing challenges in Arcade Mode or Boss Rush, you’re given Nano Coins. You can spend these at the Nano Shop, where you can buy profiles of the enemies you faced for various amounts of coins. Songs are also available in the store. If you’re short on coins, you can convert your Play Coins into Nano Coins and spend them accordingly. Outside the store is a Nanopedia, which lists and shows all the organisms you’ve purchased. There’s also a jukebox that allows you to play all those wonderful techno-inspired tunes you’ve bought from the Nano Shop.
Nano Assault is a visual treat for Nintendo 3DS owners in 2D, but even more so in 3D. While the story mode is short and somewhat shoe-horned in, it’s made up for by the Arcade Mode. Add in an online leaderboard and some fun unlocks and you’ve got yourself a fairly respectable shooter.
