Geometry Wars : Retro Evolved

Reviewed by Chris Short
June 15, 2006

Developer: Bizarre Creations Publisher: Bizarre Creations Website: Click Here Platform(s): XBOX 360 Players: 1 ESRB Rating: E for Everyone

Screenshot from Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved. Click image to enlarge

Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved makes math simple. Forget about that $60 you've been saving for a 360 game; Bizarre Creations has created a simply addictive $5 game that will leave money in your pocket to fill up your gas tank. And it's only one easy payment of $5 and no cents. That's right, only one easy payment of $5 and no cents. I'm no mathematician, but 5 is a whole lot less than 60.

Players initially receive 3 lives at the games onset. Additional lives are given for every 75,000 points earned. The ship comes equipped with a standard cannon defense system containing unlimited ammo. The cannon even receives upgrades for every 10,000 points scored. And if that weren't enough, there are bombs for those tough spots when you're surrounded on all sides. You can earn more of those every 100,000 points.

Gameplay involves navigating a hexagon shaped claw (on a grid barely bigger than your TV screen) without coming into contact with shapes that spawn all over the screen. The simplistic graphics look amazing. The grid gives way to gunfire with a wave-like affect, resulting in stylish explosions of enemy shapes. The game's techno inspired music adds to the aesthetics, which for reasons I can't explain, seems appropriate for the setting.

Points are awarded for destroying enemy shapes before the enemy shapes destroy you. As the game progresses, the screen overloads with shapes coming at your vessel from every direction. There are even red colored black holes that swallow everything. Luckily the controls are responsive and accurate. The left analog stick steers the ship while the right analog stick directs your line of fire. Advise I do, Padiwans who leaderboard they seek--hone their Jedi reflexes they must.

Some gamers may recognize Retro Evolved as the updated version of Geometry Wars found in PGR2. Newbies, don't let the name fool you; Geometry Wars lacks the conscious thoughts and calculated decisions one would expect. If you think--you're dead. No worries. Even if you suck at the game like I did, you'll still want to come back for more.

Sadly, some gamers will be turned away by the game's title. I really can't blame them. If someone told me about Geometry Wars: RE, I'd think they were recruiting me for the math club. As a result, the Evolution Factor for Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved is low.

More Screenshots (Click image to enlarge view) :