Geometry Wars Galaxies is just as much fun, if not more, on Wii than originally it was on Xbox 360
Fast forward to 2005 and Geometry Wars sees an Xbox Live Arcade update though Retro Evolved. It now combines the primitive nature of the game with the juggernaut of power only capable on 360. Retro Evolved also introduces an online scoring system as well as multiplayer. Now Geometry Wars is seeing one last release with Geometry Wars Galaxies on Nintendo Wii and DS. It is the first Geometry Wars to be released through retailers and takes all of what made the previous two Geometry Wars games and puts them to shame.
If you've played any prior Geometry Wars game though, fine-tuning to play Galaxies wouldn't be too difficult of a task. Geometry Wars' core gameplay isn't very complicated. The aim of Geometry Wars, simply put, is to survive as long as possible with the highest score possible. So far so good? Well it isn't as simple as it sounds on paper as limitless waves of vector style enemies also attempt to destroy you.
Not only are your enemies progressively tougher and cleverer in tactics with each wave but, like Asteroids and Space Invaders before it, you have three lives which can be lost immediately on contact with almost anything else in the level. However, to compromise, killing your enemies can increase your score further, with the more challenging types offering larger amounts of points (or geoms ) which you can accumulate when the area is safe.
It is all about gaining the correct strategy and timing your movements and shots correctly in Geometry Wars while being dazzled by the epileptic inducing lights display as you destroy each enemy. The Wii version visually makes no compromises to the quality of this effect as seen in the Xbox and Xbox 360 versions of the game and the DS version successfully captures it without too much slowdown or graphical cropping in it's own version either.
Galaxies extends this gameplay by having the original arena game mode and enemies of the Retro Evolved game on Xbox Live as well as a new campaign mode (titled Galaxies) where you play in different arenas with exclusive, neoteric enemies and gameplay modifiers. This doesn't sound all that fantastic however it lengthens the longevity nature, of an already addictive release, ten-fold.
In Galaxies mode, like the original game itself, you fight for the highest score although you're awarded a medal based on your performance. To help aid you in the enduring the waves of geometric shaped bad guys you are given a automated drone. The drone can be set specific combat behaviours such as "Attack" "Defend" and "Turret" which upgrade automatically as you gain geoms throughout play. The geoms you earn during the stages also has to be used to buy new planets and galaxies to play in.
Perhaps the most tantalising feature of Geometry Wars Galaxies though appears through the DS and Wii connectivity. Though this isn't the first game to feature it, Geometry Wars takes the connectivity one step further thanks to it's simultaneous DS and Wii releases. There are a number of options available to DS owners if they or do not have the DS edition of Geometry Wars.
The most appealing addition would be the inclusion of download play that allows you to play the game co-op using both machines together. It also gives DS players the chance to play the original Retro Evolved as if a demo to the full experience of Galaxies. Another feature included is the ability to unlock extra levels of Geometry Wars Wii through the DS game.
This directly lengthens the story further and gives incentive to perhaps even buy the game twice. With that said though, there is absolutely no form of co-op play through Nintendo's Wi-Fi service, only high score listings. Download play is obviously a lot slower than playing it locally too, and of course, lacks the ability to play the campaign co-op.
And also, as much as Geometry Wars is exciting and different given it is an indie release, it's appeal eventually wears of due to that very same indie status it has. Geometry Wars can grow repetitive and dull after long periods of play and definitely does not remain spontaneous in it's gameplay patterns for long. It's arcade gameplay style begs to be played in short bursts rather.
Which leads to the point of Geometry Wars lifespan, like any arcade game, it is undeniably short. Granted you're good at the game you'll wiz through the levels like there is no tomorrow, especially if you're playing in co-op. The DS version is also slightly easier as the obstructing visual effects have been removed and ultimately that's for the better too. The music and sound effects are also bizarrely forgettable in Geometry Wars, not common for an arcade developed title. Geometry Wars Galaxies is finally a severely overvalued game at £29.99 compared to the low cost £4 of the XBLA original.
Concluding this review, Geometry Wars Galaxies is just as much fun, if not more, on Wii than originally it was on Xbox 360. The big difference is that the value is entirely different though. Minus the extras and your essentially paying £30 for a two year old indie game. This problem aside, I highly recommend you atleast give Galaxies a try on either Nintendo DS or Nintendo Wii.