Gamertell

Title: Space Invaders Extreme
Price: $19.99
System(s): PSP (DS)
Release Date: June 17, 2008
Publisher (Developer): Taito/Square Enix
ESRB Rating: “Everyone”
Pros: Beautiful graphics, frantically fun soundtrack and all-round innovative take on an arcade classic. A decent ad-hoc multiplayer mode.
Cons: Some boss levels overly difficult and some elements may be lost on the long screen. No online or single-UMD multiplayer modes.
Overall Score: Two thumbs up; 90/100; A-; * * * * out of five.

If you’ve already read my review of the DS version of this game, you can pretty much skip ahead to the second header below without missing anything. The game is basically the same except for the screen orientation and multiplayer mode(s).

Even so, I’ll repeat: Space Invaders Extreme is so much more than it’s arcade and early console predecessors that it actually deserves its “Extreme” moniker.

The Aliens Are Coming!

The core of the game remains the same as its arcade and early console predecessors - 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 the same methodically slow-moving lines of blocky avatars. They look the same but instead come in various sizes, numerous formations, different colors and, some, with special shielding.

Forget your stationary blocks of shields. You ain’t got nothing protecting you and the baddies. Instead, a few aliens carry a shield you need to peck away or that reflect your measly missiles back at your ship. Some 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.

While the hovering shields have been removed, 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.

One If By Space…

This arcade classic update is hyperactive, graphically intense and frantically fun. Even though so much is going on and can seem a bit overcrowded even on the PSP’s widescreen, it all adds to the game’s overall sense of urgency, creating more of a mood than visual distractions.

Your first pass at the game may 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 highly addictive game.

In case it still seems too lame to be “Extreme,” consider the layer of constantly swirling background graphics, thumping soundtrack, the many ways to score more points and chain attacks. The PSP also has one up on the DS due to its superior screen, allowing the backgrounds to be a bit more fluid and packed with extra particle effects. Played back to back, the PSP release is much more pleasing to the eye.

The PSP version of the game also includes an ad-hoc multiplayer mode, which means that you need two carts and two PSPs in the same proximity to play. It does not include any type of online mode, which is quite a shame since it certain has the capability and it helped to make the DS release even more enjoyable.

The only daunting point beyond the initial eyeball shocking extreme-ity (which you get used to), are the boss levels. While the DS release has a more narrow but taller arena, bosses have more sideways wiggle room on the PSP, which makes a couple bosses more difficult. The way to kill them is not always immediately apparent and, when you fail, you need to repeat the entire level.

Invasion of the Small-Screen Aliens

Visually, the PSP release is much nicer looking than the DS version. Multiplayer mode wise, however, the DS gains back its lost points and then some thanks to single-cart and online capabilities. Sure, the PSP’s one the one ad-hoc mode is still fun, but you won’t be quite as likely to find a second gamer with a PSP and the Space Invaders Extreme game UMD.

Even so, this not just the same old Space Invaders arcade game with a fancy schmancy new skin. This is mother-Space frackin-Invaders Extreme, dammit. It’s beefed up with enough elements to be fun even for those who have never played the original and familiar enough to be fun for those who have.

To make this game even more appealing, it’s retailing for only $20. Even though it’s slightly less EXTREME than the DS release, it is still pretty damn fun and friggin’ EXTREME. And cheap. If you own a PSP, do yourself a favor and buy this game.

Site [Space Invaders Extreme (PSP)] Read [Gamertell] Also Read [Gamertell (DS Review)]

Check out the gallery: Space Invaders Extreme PSP screen shots