Review
Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2 Review (Xbox360)
It seems gaming has gone full circle. The ‘simplicity’ of early titles gave way to an ever increasing emphasis on technology and complexity. We’re at the stage where gaming is one of the biggest industries in the world and games are edging ever closer to being life-like. Then came Geometry Wars. The original title started life inside Project Gotham Racing 2 on Microsoft’s debut console, the Xbox. Bizarre Creations continued the support with Waves which was slipped into the fourth edition of the popular racing title, only this time on Xbox 360. The popularity of the mini-title made it evident that a full game was needed and Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved arrived on Xbox Live Arcade. The game took the Marketplace by storm and if we flash forward to July 2008, we’ve got the eagerly awaited sequel in our hands; Geometry Wars Retro Evolved 2.
For those new to the craze that is Geometry Wars, a bit of explanation is needed. You control a tiny space ship; a fleshed out version of the ship seen back in Asteroids. You move it around a two dimensional plane using the left analogue stick. To fire you use the right analogue stick aiming it in the desired direction. Various shapes (hence the name Geometry Wars) come at you with their specific modes of attack. Some just wander around the level aimlessly, others home in on you. You dodge them, kill them and see how long you can last. It’s a simple concept complimented with ‘easy-to-pickup’ controls. Anyone can play Geometry Wars, that’s its appeal, but excelling at it is another matter.
The basics get stale following extended play sessions, which is why Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2 tweaks the experience to keep it fresh. The latest version contains everything that an Xbox Live Arcade title should have. The single player mode lets you work your way through six game types, unlocking each in turn. In past games (the DS / PSP versions) the geoms that you collected (the little gems that enemies drop to multiply your score) were used to buy new levels. In Retro Evolved 2 you simply play a game type 3 or 4 times and you’ll find the next unlocked.
They range from the simplistic Deadline which has the square aim of amassing the most points in three minutes with unlimited lives. Pacifism is a different take on the formula. You have a single life, no bombs (which clear the screen) and you can’t shoot. To destroy the hordes baying for your blood you have to fly through gates which explode. Sequence is the most compelling. There are twenty scripted levels that come one after another. Each lasts 30 seconds and dying / running out of time moves you onto the next one. Your aim is to get to the end without losing your lives. It’s the meatiest mode and it offers structured play. Elsewhere is King (a one-life dash to circles that allow you to fire within them), Evolved (where you gain lives / bombs at set scores) and Waves (where rockets fly in lines across the screen). There’s plenty of bang for your buck and you won’t be disappointed.
Offline the game keeps track of your scores, but venture onto Xbox Live and you will find your scoreboards populated with your friend’s scores. It’s not a new concept, but it works particularly well for Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2. For a game that’s all about the points, it makes sense to pit you against your nearest and dearest.
The single player is robust, but if you’re a fan of the series it’s not a totally fresh concept. It’s all polished to an impressive standard, but something else is needed to make it stand out. Multiplayer. The most fun is to be had in the game’s party-friendly modes. Local multiplayer is included and it lets up to four of your friends cooperate to rack up some serious scores. It becomes a tad difficult to see what’s going on as more and more enemies spawn, but it’s avoided with a large television. There’s also the co-pilot mode that lets one person control the movement, whilst the other player does the firing. It takes time to get used to only being in control of one element, but with a good buddy it won’t be long until your racking up scores in the millions.
If helping your friends seems sleep inducing then the game allows for competitive multiplayer. The aim is to gain the highest score and therefore grind your friends into the dust. Both modes are available online and the connection stability seems on the money.
Retro Evolved 2 is one of those games where graphics doesn’t matter, but they’re still at a high standard. It’s extremely colourful and bright flashes accompany the destruction of shapes. It’s like watching a destructive fireworks display. The game does shudder a bit when the action is at full tempo, but we’re referring to hundreds of shapes on screen. The average player will have died before that stage. The soundtrack’s the typical mix of thumping techno beats and trance melodies. It sounds great and looks the part.
If you’ve played the previous titles then you’ve probably already purchased Retro Evolved 2. It doesn’t offer anything new, but a fresh variation on what’s already been seen. It’s as old school as games come and that’s meant as a compliment. The achievements (which are actually achievable) round off a superb package. It’s simplistic gaming with an addictive edge. A game for everyone, which is well worth your precious Microsoft Points.
Best Gaming Moment: Hitting 10 million on the scoreboard.
For those new to the craze that is Geometry Wars, a bit of explanation is needed. You control a tiny space ship; a fleshed out version of the ship seen back in Asteroids. You move it around a two dimensional plane using the left analogue stick. To fire you use the right analogue stick aiming it in the desired direction. Various shapes (hence the name Geometry Wars) come at you with their specific modes of attack. Some just wander around the level aimlessly, others home in on you. You dodge them, kill them and see how long you can last. It’s a simple concept complimented with ‘easy-to-pickup’ controls. Anyone can play Geometry Wars, that’s its appeal, but excelling at it is another matter.
 |
 |
|
The basics get stale following extended play sessions, which is why Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2 tweaks the experience to keep it fresh. The latest version contains everything that an Xbox Live Arcade title should have. The single player mode lets you work your way through six game types, unlocking each in turn. In past games (the DS / PSP versions) the geoms that you collected (the little gems that enemies drop to multiply your score) were used to buy new levels. In Retro Evolved 2 you simply play a game type 3 or 4 times and you’ll find the next unlocked.
They range from the simplistic Deadline which has the square aim of amassing the most points in three minutes with unlimited lives. Pacifism is a different take on the formula. You have a single life, no bombs (which clear the screen) and you can’t shoot. To destroy the hordes baying for your blood you have to fly through gates which explode. Sequence is the most compelling. There are twenty scripted levels that come one after another. Each lasts 30 seconds and dying / running out of time moves you onto the next one. Your aim is to get to the end without losing your lives. It’s the meatiest mode and it offers structured play. Elsewhere is King (a one-life dash to circles that allow you to fire within them), Evolved (where you gain lives / bombs at set scores) and Waves (where rockets fly in lines across the screen). There’s plenty of bang for your buck and you won’t be disappointed.
Offline the game keeps track of your scores, but venture onto Xbox Live and you will find your scoreboards populated with your friend’s scores. It’s not a new concept, but it works particularly well for Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2. For a game that’s all about the points, it makes sense to pit you against your nearest and dearest.
 |
 |
|
The single player is robust, but if you’re a fan of the series it’s not a totally fresh concept. It’s all polished to an impressive standard, but something else is needed to make it stand out. Multiplayer. The most fun is to be had in the game’s party-friendly modes. Local multiplayer is included and it lets up to four of your friends cooperate to rack up some serious scores. It becomes a tad difficult to see what’s going on as more and more enemies spawn, but it’s avoided with a large television. There’s also the co-pilot mode that lets one person control the movement, whilst the other player does the firing. It takes time to get used to only being in control of one element, but with a good buddy it won’t be long until your racking up scores in the millions.
If helping your friends seems sleep inducing then the game allows for competitive multiplayer. The aim is to gain the highest score and therefore grind your friends into the dust. Both modes are available online and the connection stability seems on the money.
Retro Evolved 2 is one of those games where graphics doesn’t matter, but they’re still at a high standard. It’s extremely colourful and bright flashes accompany the destruction of shapes. It’s like watching a destructive fireworks display. The game does shudder a bit when the action is at full tempo, but we’re referring to hundreds of shapes on screen. The average player will have died before that stage. The soundtrack’s the typical mix of thumping techno beats and trance melodies. It sounds great and looks the part.
 |
 |
|
If you’ve played the previous titles then you’ve probably already purchased Retro Evolved 2. It doesn’t offer anything new, but a fresh variation on what’s already been seen. It’s as old school as games come and that’s meant as a compliment. The achievements (which are actually achievable) round off a superb package. It’s simplistic gaming with an addictive edge. A game for everyone, which is well worth your precious Microsoft Points.
Best Gaming Moment: Hitting 10 million on the scoreboard.
Comments
By herodotus (SI Herodotus) on Aug 04, 2008
