Stage 1: Impressions |
Stage 2: Analysis |
Stage 3: Evaluation |
The gameplay in Galaxies is essentially the same from the first grid to the last. This isn't to say that each grid is identical, as change-ups come in three ways: drone strategy, Geom types, and grid shape and size. The amount of variety doesn't compare to, say, Super Mario Galaxy, but to be fair Geometry Wars has never tried to be more than a fast-paced arcade shooter.
While lacking in actions, Galaxies doesn't lack in enemy types. There are a plentiful number of Geometric bad guys whose only purpose in life is to destroy the player's ship. Galaxies features fourteen enemies not found in Retro Evolved for a total of 24 enemy types. The more interesting foes in Galaxies are Gravity Wells, which suck everything in the grid towards its core, including their buddies; Snakes, a lengthy enemy that slithers across the grid; Wormholes, which teleport the player from one wormhole to another; and Mine Layers, which, surprise, lay mines. Other enemies can quickly dodge the player's shots, mutate themselves into nastier versions, throw up walls to block your movements, and even reproduce.
Ever have that....overwhelmed feeling?
Each of these modes can also be upgraded through use. The more the player employs a single mode, the more the effective the drone will become with the behavior. Unfortunately, players cannot switch modes in-game. A chosen mode is fixed throughout a stage. The added value of the drones depends on the mode being used. In Attack mode, players may not even notice that the drone's presence, while drones are much more obvious in defensive modes such as Sweep or Ram. Regardless of mode, players often lose their drones in the light show of exploding Geoms, making them an afterthought through much of the game.
You are.......here?
Multiplayer mode allows another player to join in either cooperative or competitive gameplay. Players share the score in cooperative mode, while they have their own scores in competitive mode. The second player is represented by a ship of differing shape and both occupy the same screen rather than having a split-screen mode. The Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection only allows players to submit their scores to the online leaderboard.
Final judgement on this geometric frenzy is just ahead. See you in Stage 3.
Stage 1: Impressions |
Stage 2: Analysis |
Stage 3: Evaluation |
