For only 700 points, this addicting arcade shooter in one of the best yet on WiiWare.
Currently there are three arcade shooter titles in at WiiWare section. Star Soldier R was the first to come into WiiWare, though its short stages could leave you wondering if this game was actually worth 800 points. Protöthea was the next to come to Wiiware, though it has brought nothing amazing to actually prove its $10 value. Gyrostarr, produced by High Voltage Software(many may be familiar with them), brings a whole new style of gameplay to the arcade shooter table. No longer is it about slowly scrolling up on a top-down view of your ship attacking hordes of enemies(though there's nothing wrong with this), though you get a back end view of the action while you speed down a track, collecting energy so that you can get to the next level while fending off enemies by shooting them with the same motive as any arcade shooter. It spans across 50 levels, and is the cheapest of them all for only 700 points.
What makes this game worth playing over and over again? The game itself is easy to jump in to, and easily allows for multiple players, even if you only have a Wiimote and Classic controller(or nunchuk). This is virtually a first in technical terms for multiplayer. Each stage is unique in it's own way, seeing how you have to multitask by collecting enough energy to make it out of the level while attacking the enemy who come down the track. You have these checkpoints in the track every so often that will assist you in progressing through the stage by either boosting you faster down the track or destroying all enemies that are curently in view. Though when boosted down the track, you start to feel the sensation of the speed after being boosted three times, making the action more frantic as you have to be quicker to gather the energy and fend off against enemy units. It later stages, the game will teach you more on how the game is played by using the grapple feature to grab far away items and energy and such. When you finish the stage with enough energy, if you've made enough energy to make it to the bonus stage, this is where the frantic action is all at. Though there are no enemies to deal with here, the stage focuses on you retrieving energy for points. The catch? You will be boosted nearly frequently in this short stage that with all the twisting in the track with the speed you go at, it makes it both a thrill ride and challenge to get the energy at such high speed. And as you progress during the game, the stages will have different shape tracks, rendering a unique experience each time.
The controls in this game are very customizable, though the only option you do not have is the GameCube controller. You can play with the Wiimote in motion mode, where you tilt the Wiimote left or right to move around. Though it is a bit difficult to get use to, it's better to start out with the D-pad for controlling the ship. Though the motion control still brings a sense of thrill to the game that you could not experience with just using the D-pad. You can also use the Nunchuk and classic controller with the game, but what makes this game very unique is that while you play with the Nunchuk or Classic controller, someone can play with the Wiimote that the attachments are connected to! If you do not have two Wiimotes to enjoy the multiplayer action, just plug in one of these attachments and enjoy the multiplayer action with your friend.
The graphics in Gyrostarr actually prove to be some of the most impressive yet in a WiiWare title. The track looks fairly well detail while the ripples in the checkpoints and warp portal look amazingly like the Stargate portals if you fire at them as they ripple from the piercing of the projectiles. The backgorund is nice, though there's nothing truly amazing about it, seeing how it is a still image you will pay the least attention to during each stage. Other than that, the graphics are great.
The soundtrack in the song are nothing to truly be amazed about until the bonus levels, where the fast-paced techno music actually enhances the thrill of speeding down the track at blinding speeds. For the most part, the music matches the mood of the level and action. Though most of the soundtrack sound alike, so there's no true variety. Though it is understandable with the techno soundtrack, seeing how this is a frantic speed and shoot arcade shooter. It could be a little more various though...
With everything that Gyrostarr has to offer, it is a mere bargain for only the price of 700 points. 50 stages of action and speed galore, plenty of action, and multiplayer capabilities. The great graphics and decent soundtrack also contribute to this games success. If you are curious about this game, just take my word and buy it. This is a must-have title for any arcade shooter fan and a title that will become an instant classic. This game is well worth a try.
~SomeOddGuy