Ever since popping Gunstar Heroes into my Sega Genesis I have been in love with Treasure. The pure adrenaline rush that comes from their games is indescribable, and probably for the better because any person claiming to be a gamer should experience at least one Treasure game. Treasure games are known for their tear-your-hair-out difficulty level and Bangai-O is no exception. In the start levels the player is eased in to the controls, play style, point system, etc, but as soon as everything is explained, Bangai-O goes into kick arse mode. Hundreds of onscreen shots will send players of lesser capability knocked senseless, but more defiant players will triumph. Only to be knocked off their high horse after 10 levels or so. Yes, Bangai-O is incredibly tough. That's how Treasure games come; take it or leave it. Graphical prowess is not a strong point of Bangai-O. The game uses a minimalist approach and it surprisingly works. The robot, or Bangai-O, and enemy sprites are easily seen but still maintain a small size. All for the better, though, as the hundreds upon hundreds of shots enemies will fire invade the screen and leave room only for a mass attack. Yes, the Bangai-O is equipped with a "bomb" type attack that will shoot from all sides. But the amount of projectiles that come from this attack relies on how many enemy missiles are on screen and how close said missiles are to the Bangai-O. One would think this gives the option of "playing it safe", but no, it is important to get the most out of each bomb attack, make it more devastating, so more enemies are cleared with less use of the bomb gauge. Sure, the gauge fills up from defeating enemies, but it is still easy to run out. The gameplay is excellent as I expect from a Treasure game. The more efficient control setting maps the A, B, X, and Y buttons on the Dreamcast controller to control the direction of fire, the D-pad to jet around, the R trigger to the super "bomb" attack, and the L trigger to switch pilots. Yes, the player can switch between the two pilots Riki and Mami, each with their own attack. The former fires a tracking missile while the latter fires laser beams that ricochet off walls. The player must utilize both pilots well and figure out which weapon works where. Bangai-O is played on 2D side scrolling maps where the player can fly anywhere as the Bangai-O is not confined to the floor. That alone makes the experience more free and enjoyable. The sound in the game is almost over the top, and adds to the humor and jabs of the silly story dialogue. Bangai-O's tunes are light-hearted but fit the whole "retrieve the space fruit the evil guys stole" plot. There is not voice acting, just random grunts and shouts a la the Zelda series, and that's good, in my opinion. Riki and Mami are the type of characters a person can create their own sound for. Bangai-O is a game sure to please Treasure fans, and maybe even gain more admirers. It is pure gameplay, and if you like that kind of thing, go buy Bangai-O immediately.
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