Xbox Live Arcade scores another great hit...In a familiar package. This classic is also enhanced this time around.
Gameplay:
Like explained above, if you already have Geometry Wars, Mutant Storm or Smash TV, you already know the controls. The enemies spawn at random each time you play or between each life if you don't make it the first time though. This adds a lot of replay to it since you never quite get the same experience twice. The first few levels you can breeze through, then around the 6th Wave things start to get mucky. I have put several hours into this game and can only get to Wave 9...even in Co-Op mode. It is hard. In fact, it's harder than Geometry Wars since you can't aim in a full circle, so it's very easy to completely miss your enemies.
Online bonuses for this game are Co-Op and versus modes. Co-Op is interesting since one player moves and one players shoots, and it trades off each round. Very fun stuff, but it can be very frusterating if you don't communicate with the other player. Versus is simply playing by yourself and competing high scores with the other player. Both are fun, and add a lot to the game.
Graphics:
Even though the graphics have been revamped for the 360, they still look dated. Sometimes it is very easy to confuse the humans you are trying to save with the enemies you are trying to avoid/kill. They don't look like they did in 1982, but they don't look much. if any, better than anything made before 1990.
Sound:
Lots of bleeps and bloops, like most games of the era. Nothing great, nothing terrible. I found myself putting on a custom playlist and just playing. It was about what I was expecting.
Value:
Aside from being addictive as hell, the new online modes add a lot to the value. Unless you somehow master this game and beat all 100 Waves, I don't really see any reason NOT to keep playing this game. It's simple, it's fun and it's addictive. At only 400 points ($5) it is a great value in my eyes.
Reviewer's Tilt:
I found myself playing this game for hours at a time and not even realizing how much time had passed. That is really saying something considering each round is less than a minute long. I'm a retro gamer, and this is a great addition for the XBL Arcade. It's funny that I play these cheap games instead of the technological masterpieces, but hey, if it's fun who can blame me?