Nano Breaker Explained

Developer:Konami TYO
Publisher:Konami
Director:Kenichiro Kato
Producer:Koji Igarashi
Artist:Kazuhide Nakazawa
Composer:Kennosuke Suemura
Genre:Action, hack and slash
Modes:Single-player
Platforms:PlayStation 2

is an action video game developed and published by Konami for the PlayStation 2. It was released in Japan on January 27, 2005, in North America on February 15, 2005, and in PAL regions on February 18, 2005.

Gameplay

The player controls Jake, a cyborg militant and the protagonist of the game, and explores a large island stage. As Jake, the player controls a plasma blade that can transform into numerous weapons (axe, broadsword, hammer, etc.), generated by the blade during combo attacks. The plasma blade also has the ability to grapple enemies from afar with a blue energy cord. Jake's body is metallic and has wings that can extend from his shoulderblades and allow him to glide. The wings also serve as a "limiter release" for more powerful combos and finishing moves. Within the game world, the player faces the mutated inhabitants of the island, referred to as "Orgamechs". There are many different types of orgamechs, such as humanoids, bugs and dogs. The points system is a counter which tallies the amount of blood spilled after killing an orgamech. When the counter reaches certain amounts of blood, Jake receives extra health and energy as well as increases in his maximum potential level of health and energy.

Synopsis

Plot

The game is set in 2021, in which the United States has established an island facility called Nanomachine Island to research and develop nanotechnology for implementation in military and civilian life. To achieve this goal, the United States collected the world's foremost scientists, analysts and businessmen and placed them in a secluded community. After 20 years of technological advancement, the island is in chaos. As Jake, the player's goal is to assist the daughter of a brilliant scientist in her attempts to restore order to the island and its people by destroying the main computer which manages the activities of the nanomachines.

Characters

Development

Nano Breaker was developed and published by Konami and was produced by Koji Igarashi, known for his contributions to the company's Castlevania franchise.[1] [2] Nano Breaker uses a modified version of the engine.[1] [3] [4]

Reception

Nano Breaker is considered an obscure game noted for its over-the-top usage of blood. GamesRadar rated Nano Breaker at #1 on their original "The Bloodiest games you've never played" list, but later moved it to #6.[5] GameTrailers also rated Nano Breaker as the "bloodiest game you never played".[6]

Alex Navarro of GameSpot gave it a 5.5/10 rating saying that producer Koji Igarashi failed to deliver what was exciting in Castlevania games to Nano Breaker. While he thinks the use of blood is excessive, he feels it adds color to levels that are mostly in gray tones. Navarro also criticized the character names in the game, stating that Jake and Keith are not ideal names for "tough cyborgs."[7]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Perry, Douglass C. . January 9, 2004 . Konami Gamers' Day 2004: NanoBreaker . . June 15, 2012 . August 25, 2006 . https://web.archive.org/web/20060825191906/http://ps2.ign.com/articles/461/461870p1.html . live .
  2. Web site: Electronic Gaming Monthly staff . May 9, 2004 . NanoBreaker: The Interview . . . June 15, 2012.
  3. Web site: Gerstmann, Jeff . January 9, 2004 . Nanobreaker Impressions . . . June 15, 2012.
  4. Limon, Simon . May 12, 2004 . PS2 / Feature / Nanobreaker Interview [E3 2004] ]. https://web.archive.org/web/20050404184530/http://gamepro.com/sony/ps2/games/features/35540.shtml . April 4, 2005 . . . June 15, 2012.
  5. Gamesradar ranking of this game as one of the bloodiest rarely played games. http://www.gamesradar.com/f/the-bloodiest-games-youve-never-played/a-20091029104621368078
  6. Web site: Gametrailers ranking of this game in their "Top 10 Bloodiest Games." . . 2022-02-25 . 2022-02-25 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220225223931/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFzwquiklbE . live .
  7. Web site: Navarro . Alex . Nanobreaker - PS2 Review . YouTube . 27 June 2024.