However, the in-game graphics do have two things going for them. The first is the long and pretty tail that follows your plasma blade as you constantly slash your way through enemies. The color of the blade, as well as the length of the trail, is dependent on its shape (yes, that’s right, the blade changes shape, but more on that later). The second aspect that keeps these graphics from becoming a total wash is the blood. When you mow down enemies, they spill gallons of harvested blood (you can see exactly how much by the counter in the corner of the screen). As red (green, purple, blue, or whatever other color you want to set it as) liquid gushes from your enemies, it also splashes and sticks to the walls, floors, and ceilings of the level. Though this is done in a very stylized manner, this is also the chief reason for the game’s mature rating.
The cinematic cut-scenes are as good as the in-game graphics are bad. Each movie is filled with almost photo-realistic characters and environments that do a good job of progressing the story along (what story it has, that is). And thankfully, these scenes come fairly frequently to break up the mindless bloodbath that is Nano Breaker.
Sound? Well, for the most part I could mute the game and get as good (or better) an experience. The audio aspect of Nano Breaker doesn’t add anything. While battling my way through the areas, there was plenty of sloshing sounds when I decapitated, sliced, or otherwise mutilated the hordes of enemies swarming on my position. As for the music, it never really left an impression on me. Even if I enjoyed it while playing the game, it was quickly forgotten when I walked away from my TV. Yet once again, as bad as the in-game sound was, the voice acting in the pre-rendered movies was outstanding. But if I wanted a game where I worked my way through the levels just to see the pretty movies, I would go play a Xenosaga game.
