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Important Importables
Jenni Lada brings us information about all of the groovy new gaming imports from around the world.
I’ve become a bit jaded by supposedly revamped classic games with an exciting word tacked at the end of the name. In most cases, such as the “Deluxe” line Xbox Live games, it means they simply took an old ROM, juiced up the graphics, added a new soundtrack, created a leaderboard and dialed up the speed to 11. It’s not so much “Deluxe” as the same ol’ game in a pixelated tux.
Space Invaders Extreme, however, is so much more than it’s arcade and early console predecessors that it actually deserves its “Extreme” moniker.
Hit Me With Your Best Shot
The core of the game remains the same - you shoot at a lineup of pixelated alien invaders who are methodically descending to the bottom of the screen. If they make it, you lose. If you kill them all, you face more invaders. These aliens avatars may once again be 2D-ish and attack in formation, but these are not methodically slow-moving lines of blocky baddies. They look the same but instead come in various sizes, numerous formations, different colors and, some, with special shielding.
Forget your the stationary blocks of shields. You ain’t got nothing protecting you from incoming laser fire from all angles. Instead, a few aliens carry a shield you need to peck away or that will reflect your measly missiles back at your ship. Some aliens will also turn sideways to become a hard-to-hit sliver, while others will split on contact and make even more baddies to defeat.
Those periodic top-of-the-screen crawling mother ships are now traveling a newly paved skyway at a new pace and with more purpose, periodically stopping to unleash a burst of powerful laser fire. Hit what I call the disco mother ship and you’ll be transported into a mini level where you can earn a bonus of short-term, uber powerful rapid fire blasts.
Although your overing shields have been trashed, you now can acquire power ups by destroying four of the same colored standard aliens in a row: longer laser fire, bombs, multi-missile broad shot and an impenetrable shield.
In case that all still seems too lame to be “Extreme,“consider the layer of constantly swirling background graphics, thumping soundtrack, the many ways to score more points, chain attacks and two-screen boss levels.
Argh, Ya Got Me!
This arcade classic update is hyperactive, graphically intense and frantically fun. Even though so much is going on, it all adds to the game’s overall sense of urgency, creating more of a mood than visual distractions.
You can hardly play this like ye ol’ Space Invaders. The advancing aliens will sometimes pass through the side of the play area instead of bouncing back or sometimes split into smaller groups and bounce off of each other and the side walls. Some will even speed up and come in for a kamikaze style kill after being hit once.
Your first pass at the game will be a bit daunting since it is so dang EXTREME, but stick with it (and read the manual). Using the game’s many scoring features, ability to level up your cannon, pacing your powerups and knocking down lots of motherships will add even more fun to this already addictive game.
The only daunting point beyond the initial eyeball shocking extreme-ity (which you will quickly get used to), are the boss levels. Boss levels use both screens with the physical gap between you and the big bad alien that will be a little taxing on your timing. Also, the way to kill them is not always immediately apparent and, when you fail, you need to repeat the entire level.
In addition to the game’s already ass-kickedness, it also includes multiplayer modes and will work with the DS rumble pack (sold separately, of course). The multiplayer modes are two-player Vs.using the DS’s built-in wireless feature (with one one cart or two) and you can also play others online with a wireless internet connection.
One of the game’s truly great points is the online multiplayer mode. Even though it still has that lobby-less Nintendo opponent matching, you still compete against worldwide gamers, trying to outlast and outscore while shooting the motherships to send more mini baddies at your opponent.
Power + Reset = Double Fire
This is not the old Space Invaders arcade game with a crappy new skin. This is mother-Space frackin-Invaders Extreme, dammit. It’s beefed up enough to be fun even for those who have never played the original. And it’s also rumble pack compatible (if you happen to own one). Who cares that it doesn’t even bother with any touchscreen capabilities? Stylus be dammed.
To make this game even more appealing, similar to its Arkanoid DS release partner, it is retailing for only $20. You have no reason to not buy this game. I mean, come on. It’s so EXTREME!
Site [Space Invaders Extreme (DS)] Read [Arcade Renaissance] Read [Gamertell] Also Read [Gamertell (PSP review)]
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