A Torrent of Fun

About the game: This is your normal vertical scroller shooter. You control a ship and shoot enemies, while racking up lots of points.

Controls: The stylus is not used instead you use the D-Pad and B and A.  B shoots your main weapon and A uses your special weapon.

Graphics: The graphics are pretty good for the game. Some cool 3d worlds, but graphics really are not a big part of the game.

Sound: Some decent tunes that are catchy. Keeps the mood and tone of the game.

Gameplay: What makes the game interesting are the 2 different types of ships you can choose from.

Firstly, you have the easy ship where you are basically invulnerable. You have a special ability that turns bullets into torrents. This way once you use your special ability which in turn uses some energy, you can then use the torrents they leave behind to refill your energy. The biggest part of the game is using the special ability at the right time to turn bullets into torrents. The only way you can die as this ship is if your energy bar runs out and then you get hit.

The other ship is for experts. The special weapon is much harder to use and you are not invulnerable. Any hit will destroy your ship. As of this writing I still have not completed the game using this ship.

There are also 2 different modes you can play with (4 modes total 1 with each ship). Pattern mode which like galaga the enemies come in a specific pattern so you know whats coming next. Also a random mode, so you will have no idea whats coming next.

Something that has been sorely missing on most DSi games but is included in this one is online leaderboards. This adds some competitiveness to the game and makes you want to get in the top 10. You are also able to watch the replay of the top 10 people in any of the modes, which can allow you to learn some strategies.

This is a very fun game and super cheap. Its not very long, but these games never are. The point of the game is to keep you playing so you can get a real high score.

 

Verdict: Playworthy 

3D without the Glasses

About the game: The game is pretty straightforward. You are helping this animated character complete this story. You have to find the words in each stage in order to move on.

Controls: Very spotty. I started playing and everything seemed to work well. After awhile, I am not sure if the light wasn't right or the game just doesn't like me this became a nightmare.

What is supposed to happen is as you move the camera moves in the game which allows you to look all over the screen. This becomes a nightmare because the game just is not as responsive as you want it to be.

Graphics:  Very Impressive. This is what you want to see. The puzzles pop out at you and the effect is very impressive.

Sound: Some catchy tunes that do not impede the game at all.

Gameplay: You take a picture of yourself to start. Then you enter a stage where you have to find various letters/pictures hidden all over.

What makes this unlike other puzzle games is that the game uses head tracking. This is the reason you take the picture. You are looking at a 3d area and you have to move the camera around to sometimes actually make the letters/pictures appear. 

The game sounds solid, but as I said under controls it falls way short. The camera is just too spotty and it makes what should be a very enjoyable experience a painful one.

Verdict: Not Playworthy!