If you have played and enjoyed previous games in this series then stop reading and go buy now. Go on.
If you are a newcomer read on.
Geometry Wars 3 is a frantic twin stick shooter in the style of classics like Robotron or Smash TV. The left stick moves your little spaceship and the right stick lets you fire in any direction irrespective of which way your ship is facing. Levels are on a timer and you face a variety of enemies which spawn all over the map. Each of the enemy types has different characteristics such as speed, aggression, ability to dodge fire and some even break up into smaller chunks.
Controls are simple with the two sticks used to move and shot. Smart bombs are available and new to this installment are the Supers. These augment your craft with things like drones, auto firing turrets and the ability to lay mines. This adds a little bit of strategy to the which is quite refreshing.
All of the classic game modes are present and just as enjoyable as ever. Also there is a new adventure mode which adds variety to the shape of the playing field. Instead of just a flat play field we now have three dimensional arenas to play around. These vary in size and shape and add to the frantic nature of the action making things feel constricted. Seeing your bullets wrap around the screen and take out an enemy spawning elsewhere is strangely satisfying.
Progress is unlocked by eaning stars. There are multiple score targets on each level the better you do the more starts are awarded. Your score multiplier is increased by collecting little green shards left over by destroyed enemies. These shards don't stay on screen for long so getting to them quickly is essential.
The game's aesthetics suit it perfectly. Simple geometric shapes augmented with lovely shaders adding a glow with particle effects galore. The music is typically pumping with some tracks reminiscent of REZ. A new remix of the familiar GW:RE theme is a particular highlight.
The game appears to be presented in 1080p at 60fps with AA. Everything looks lovely and clean and the controls are very responsive as they really need to be in a game like this. And the quick retry after each stage keeps the pace up without having to wait for scores being tallied up.
?14 might seem a little steep for an XBLA style title but the replay value is very high on a score chasing game like this. And competing with your friends on the high score table adds a great incentive to keep playing.
And it's good to see this game available on multiple formats after it being an Xbox exclusive for so long. Hardly anyone seems to have played the Wii or DS versions which set the foundations for this latest installment.
(Note to Sega this game engine is perfect for a Rez remake or sequel.)
If you are a newcomer read on.
Geometry Wars 3 is a frantic twin stick shooter in the style of classics like Robotron or Smash TV. The left stick moves your little spaceship and the right stick lets you fire in any direction irrespective of which way your ship is facing. Levels are on a timer and you face a variety of enemies which spawn all over the map. Each of the enemy types has different characteristics such as speed, aggression, ability to dodge fire and some even break up into smaller chunks.
Controls are simple with the two sticks used to move and shot. Smart bombs are available and new to this installment are the Supers. These augment your craft with things like drones, auto firing turrets and the ability to lay mines. This adds a little bit of strategy to the which is quite refreshing.
All of the classic game modes are present and just as enjoyable as ever. Also there is a new adventure mode which adds variety to the shape of the playing field. Instead of just a flat play field we now have three dimensional arenas to play around. These vary in size and shape and add to the frantic nature of the action making things feel constricted. Seeing your bullets wrap around the screen and take out an enemy spawning elsewhere is strangely satisfying.
Progress is unlocked by eaning stars. There are multiple score targets on each level the better you do the more starts are awarded. Your score multiplier is increased by collecting little green shards left over by destroyed enemies. These shards don't stay on screen for long so getting to them quickly is essential.
The game's aesthetics suit it perfectly. Simple geometric shapes augmented with lovely shaders adding a glow with particle effects galore. The music is typically pumping with some tracks reminiscent of REZ. A new remix of the familiar GW:RE theme is a particular highlight.
The game appears to be presented in 1080p at 60fps with AA. Everything looks lovely and clean and the controls are very responsive as they really need to be in a game like this. And the quick retry after each stage keeps the pace up without having to wait for scores being tallied up.
?14 might seem a little steep for an XBLA style title but the replay value is very high on a score chasing game like this. And competing with your friends on the high score table adds a great incentive to keep playing.
And it's good to see this game available on multiple formats after it being an Xbox exclusive for so long. Hardly anyone seems to have played the Wii or DS versions which set the foundations for this latest installment.
(Note to Sega this game engine is perfect for a Rez remake or sequel.)
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