Geometry Wars: Galaxies

"The game that pushes photosensitive epilepsy to another level!"

Geometry Wars Galaxies:

This is Geometry Wars Galaxies. A sequel to the arcade version, Retro Evolved, that may not seem very different to an unexperienced eye. To begin, your mission as a geometric shape with nothing but a gun and a cause of destruction is to kill millions upon millions of other geometric shapes in order to proceed into new worlds. The scoring system is very clever indeed and there is a descent amount of factors to this game you can play around with.

Gameplay: 10/10

Alright, this is the area that's makes up the whole game and you really learn to appreciate it once you jump right in. hundreds of enemies swarm around you and all you have to defend yourself is an infinite ammo gun and a cpu drone. Every enemy you kill will drop a predetermined amount of geoms, the currency of this game. You need these geoms to unlock new solar systems, drone behaviors, and to earn extra lives and smart bombs during battle. You start off with the default gun in the beginning of every match and it upgrades once you achieve 350 geoms then it alternates between machine gun and spread shot.

Shooting off a gun into a swarm of enemies doesn't sound very actionous, but this game will keep you on your toes by forcing you to move almost constantly. You need to adapt to each unique situation by "dodging" in the right direction, studying the shape and size of the grid you are on, and choosing the right type of drone for each battle. There are also many types of enemies to note all with unique behaviors of their own and they will give you a nice panic situation once you're surrounded. Believe it or not, this 2d duel-stick shooting arcade game also has some form of physics! Gravity wells spawn, more often than not, and once they are activated or destroyed, they give the whole grid around them a jelly pudding like disruption.

Graphics: 8/10

The visuals are impressive for a 2d arcade game. It is a sight to behold when the grid violently shakes as you are caught somewhere in between shooting off your gun and causing enemies to explode into fireworks. But I have noticed that you can see the horizontal lines that make up the geometric shapes on your tv when you pause the game for a good look. Not a big deal though as the in-game specs do alot of justice to the series.

Sound: 10/10

An extremely satisfying score will play in each level throughout the game. Some will be better than others but the variety is remarkable. That combined along with some of the most fitting sound fx that one ship can make and you've got yourself a winning combonation. The sounds this game will produce are some of the best your ears will hear.

Multiplayer: 6/10

FACEPALM!!! Just when you think everything is going good, Sierra entertainment kicks you where the sun don't shine with some of the year's most dissapointing multiplayer you will ever look forward to. See that Wifi symbol on the front of the game? don't be fooled, it means nothing at all. I quote this directly from the front of the game's start-up: "ESRB Notice: Game experience may change during online play" heh heh, it's funny how game companies can flat-out lie in the consumer's face with claims of "online play" which really only lets you see how bad you are at their game since you're nowhere near the top of the leaderboard.

Atleast there's regular multiplayer right? Right, but why play something that is presented in the worst way imaginable, has only one pointless mode and has no benefits at all? Why? Because you and that one other person you know who is even remotely good at geometry wars, both want to make a new high score together! Wait, there's not even a real vs. mode?

Replay Value: 7/10

The only time you'll truly be replaying this game is the first time around (as in: going back to previous levels to level up a drone or get a gold medal / high score). That's not saying that it's not fun to do this "work" though. Geometry wars has always just been that addicting in the sense that you never know what's going to happen next. But one thing is clear, most likely, you won't be playing the campaign mode a second time around; that's all there really is to the game.

Overall: 8/10

The entertainment this game cotains is fun for what it's worth and while it lasts. If you are really good at Geometry Wars though, you will really enjoy the experience. Although the time required to dish out high scores is obscenely unhealthy, you will be proud of yourself as you stand up for the first time in hours and take pride in the fact that you exceeded the gold medal requirements by more than 10 times the amount only to fall over back to earth due to the lack of calcium and movement in your brittle kneecaps and your bleeding eyes. Have fun! :D

Rent or Buy: I should remind you, this is only a revamped version of an arcade game. You would need a really good excuse to invest the $40.00 required to purchase this work of art, Whether you are a veteren of the series or you just want another game till Brawl comes out. I massively advise you to rent first, this isn't a huge game with a story or anything and you will sometimes question the wisdom in buying it so just play it safe out there.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 01/06/08

Game Release: Geometry Wars: Galaxies (US, 11/20/07)