Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved² - Xbox 360 (Arcade) Review
by Andrew Sadowski at Aug 27, 2008 4:55am
Game: Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved²
System: Xbox 360 (Arcade)
Publisher: Activision
Developer: Bizarre Creations
Genre: Strategy and Sims
Release Date: 7/30/2008
Price: 800 Gamerpoints
Players: 1-4
Features: Multiplayer Versus, Co-op & Leaderboards.
HDTV: 720p/1080i/1080p
Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved² is the sequel to the hit Xbox Live Arcade launch title from Bizarre Creations. This fast-paced addictive simple shooter costs 800 Microsoft points which is twice as much as the previous title but adds offline multiplayer, new game modes, and changes to the core gameplay.
Those who have played the previous Geometry Wars will feel right at home with this sequel. You still control a tiny ship in a rectangular arena with loads of enemies coming at you. Left stick controls the ship, right stick shoots, and the triggers deploy the bombs. You can still switch the sticks up if you prefer southpaw.
There are a few changes to the gameplay. First, there are no more weapon upgrades. Multipliers are also different this time around. Besides killing wave after wave of enemies, each time an enemy is destroyed it leaves behind a couple tiny green objects called geoms which increase your multiplier by 1. When overwhelmed, deploying the bomb will wipe most of the enemies this time around (as oppose to all of them). All enemies will still leave geoms for you to pick up if destroyed by a bomb but you will not gain points. These changes are for the better as it leads to more frantic action.
There are 6 different game modes that are included. Some are good and some aren’t so much. Deadline is possible the worst mode. You have 3 minutes and unlimited lives to get the highest possible score. It’s not as fun especially with the 3 minute timer and the unlimited lives.
Evolved is the same mode from the previous game where you have unlimited time but only 4 lives and 3 bombs. Every 100,000 mark in each 1 million, you receive an extra life and bomb. This mode is the mode you will keep coming back to. It’s what makes Geometry Wars so addicting. King is based on a king of the hill game type.
Circular zones spawn randomly in the arena. You can only fire inside those zones. The zones decay very quickly once activated (when you first enter them). Enemies can not enter the zones. The goal is to shoot the enemies and collect the geoms on the way to another zone.
Pacifism is based on an achievement from last game. You can’t shoot. This mode requires you to travel through gates that will destroy the nearby enemies. More and more enemies will come after you making this mode intense. Waves originally made its debut in Project Gotham Racing 4. Wave after wave of orange rockets force you to play in the middle as oppose to the outer edges of the arena. Sequence is the final mode in Retro Evolved².
You have 30 seconds to complete each level (20 in total). Each level is a pattern of enemies that stay the same on each level. If you die or fail to eliminate all enemies in 30 seconds, you move on but lose a life on each level. This mode is the most difficult in the game and is a true test of skill. How fun these modes will depend on your tastes though modes like Pacifism, Evolved, and King do stand out more.
Multiplayer is also new to the sequel. Unfortunately, it is offline only. The mode allows you to play competitively or co-operatively with up to 3 other friends. It can be fun with a friend but clearly this was never a multiplayer first game. With 2+ people, it can be too hectic. There is also a co-pilot mode where 1 shoots and 1 controls the ship. Really, it should have bee online but for those looking for a quick couch-multiplayer fix, it isn’t terrible.
Leaderboards are not only back but upgraded. In each mode, the next highest score on your friends list will appear in the top right corner. Seeing that you just moved past a friend and onto the next is rewarding. The achievements are also great this time around. Getting 12/12 will take some serious skill but 10/12 are easier to get (but still aren’t easy) and provide some of the best moments in the game. Another helpful tool which should be implemented in all games is an achievement counter. During the game, it will recognize if and which achievement you are going for while providing a counter of how close you are to obtaining it.
This game also looks good. Very good. Each shape has a great neon design that looks sharp every time. And during an explosion when the grid in the arena shifts, the detail is even better. One minor complaint is that the game has plenty of particles from geoms or the aftermath of an explosion.
In a game that requires you to know where your ship and enemies are at all time, losing sight of your ship for half a second could mean death. The menus are simple in a good way and provide easy access to all modes. This game also sounds really good. A catchy techno tune sets the pace of the game from its slow start to its fast pickup.
Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved² may be the same core gameplay but it’s still as addicting as last time. Not all the modes are great and the multiplayer isn’t a highlight but it’s still a great title. If you didn’t like the first one, don’t bother. Everyone else, this is a solid addition to your Xbox Live Arcade library.
| Graphics | Sound | Presentation | Replay Value | Enjoyment |
| 9 | 9.5 | 8 | 8 | 9.5 |
Upside
• Addicting gameplay
• Catchy music and great visuals
Downside
• No online multiplayer
• Not all six modes are great.
Overall: 8.5 (out of 10) Very Good
