STAR GHOST Ep 2 (Wii U) FIRST LOOK - Gameplay and review for Star Ghost Wii U | Let's Play/Gameplay
17Welcome to The Basement, let's play Star Ghost on the Wii U!
If you missed the first episode, check out the playlist:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQuNqdD01xI&list=PL_veZ-o3N4ZVxh9QvvuVBEGS3-fwHtvta
We found an excellent review of the game on Nintendo Life:
http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/wiiu-eshop/star_ghost
Star Ghost's arrival on the Wii U eShop might appear to be fairly sudden[...]but its inception and gestation have actually taken quite some time. Based on the 2015 iOS release Star Drift, this unique take on the old-school arcade shooter concept is notable for the fact that its developer - Rhys Lewis - has enjoyed stints at Rare and Retro Studios, two companies that hold a special place in the heart of many a Nintendo fan.
Such expectation almost sets the game for a fall; how can such a humble project, crafted by just one man, possibly compare to the likes of Metroid Prime, Banjo-Kazooie and the Donkey Kong Country series - the latter of which, as we know, was worked on by both of Lewis' former employers? Despite the level of anticipation, Star Ghost manages to entertain and challenge, and is testament to the capacity of one-developer studios to craft unique and engaging experiences.
As Lewis has himself admitted, Star Ghost is basically the barrel-riding section in Donkey Kong Country Returns writ large. Your ship doesn't fly in a straight line, and if left to its own devices will plunge to the bottom of the screen where it bounces off an otherwise invisible force field. Like the infamous mobile hit Flappy Bird, holding the A button will cause the ship to rise upwards, and this mechanic changes the complexion of the game dramatically. By removing traditional shoot 'em up control, Star Ghost offers a challenge which is unique in the genre. Knowing exactly when to tap and release that button can be the difference between missing an incoming projectile, avoiding a collision with scenery or grabbing that much-needed power-up. There's a skill level involved here which goes way beyond traditional shooters, which allow you to move your craft around the screen at will.
Controlling your craft's upward thrust is just one aspect of the interface. Pushing up and down on the left-hand analogue stick allows you to angle the direction of your guns, but there's a limit on how far you can push them - you certainly can't spin through a full 360 degrees. This narrow arc of fire means you have to link your shots with the current angle of your ship; to begin with, you may find yourself struggling to marry up the two processes. We found that when learning the ropes, it's perhaps best to ignore the analogue stick entirely and instead use the up and down motion of your craft to aim your fire; once you've become accustomed to this, you can introduce the stick for improved accuracy. Trying to use both from the off is akin to patting your head and rubbing your belly at the same time. To reduce complexity, firing is automatic, but even this makes it feel subtly different to other shooters. In a genre where buttons are often mashed indiscriminately, it's slightly unnerving to find that you very little control over your weapons in Star Ghost. The firing may be automatic but also pauses, however, when you engage your ship's traction field.
While your main weapon remains constant, pick-ups can be used to enhance its potential. Spread pick-ups add more projectiles to a single volley of fire, fanning out from your ship in a wave of laser death. Fire rate pick-ups do as the name suggests, while your traction field - which can be used to pull in pick-ups and other items - can be expanded to fill more of the screen. A repulsor shield has the opposite effect and forces unwanted objects away, while missiles greatly augment your offensive potential. A shield replenishing pick-up allows you to regenerate your health should you take a knock, and soon becomes an essential item. Not everything you come across should be collected, however - viruses shut down your weapons systems and cause the screen to distort unpleasantly; their effect is short-lived, but often enough to leave you wide open to attack, thus ending your run. Power-ups don't last forever, either - they're time-limited, which means you'll constantly be hunting around the screen for new boosts in order to keep your ship in perfect fighting condition. Blue tokens are by far and away the most plentiful pick-up you'll see during your adventure - these are used as currency to purchase weapon power-ups at the conclusion of each stage.
Each level is a short and sweet dash to the finish line[...]You shoot enemies, occasionally navigate through narrow passageways and blast apart the odd asteroid. Sentinel battles break up this pattern; these are boss fights with powerful enemy ships which have a seemingly overwhelming number of weapons at their disposal - defeating them is no easy task... [more at the website]