19th September 2011, 5:11 PM
DS
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Space Invaders Revolution - This was the first DS Space Invaders game, and it really isn't revolutionary. Actually, it's a throwback to the original game, just with an added new mode with interesting enemy patterns and unlockable powerups. The game's good, but not great. The graphics are basic 2d, it looks fine enough. There are these "launch" animations before stages (in New mode) that are done in 3d, which is kind of odd because otherwise the game is entirely 2d.
As for the gameplay, classic mode is, well, Space Invaders. It's got a black backdrop and colored invaders (no color options unfortunately). You can turn UFOs on and off, though, and there are touchscreen controls too if you really want to use them. I use the buttons. You have to play Classic mode in order to unlock the special abilities in New mode, which is kind of odd; I've beaten New mode, but have only managed to unlock the first two of the six powerups. Classic mode's tough. :) As for the New mode though, there are twenty stages, and each of the twenty has three waves. You've got three lives to try to get through the three waves, but if an invader reaches the bottom you lose and have to start the stage over.
The stages all involve basic Space Invaders gameplay in some ways -- you move left and right, and shoot up. The invaders are the same three shapes seen in the original game, and they move back and forth. There are shields at the bottom. However, each of the stages has a unique gimmick. For instance, in one style you have to hit the invaders in the correct order. Hit the wrong one and you'll lose instantly (the one(s) to hit are colored, the ones to not hit are white). In another one the invaders are really small, and there are a lot of them. Other variations include one with a very narrow field, one where they shoot a lot more than normal, one with giant invaders, and more. The nice variety of stage types is fun, and helps add something to this otherwise short and repetitive game.
Even so though, this is classic Space Invaders stuff, and that's both a good and bad thing. Unless you've unlocked the Rapid Fire powerup, for instance, you can only have one shot on screen at a time. You move slowly, too. And powerup use is limited -- even after you've unlocked them (in the Classic mode, as I said; they don't tell you this ingame though), there's a meter on the right side of the lower screen that drains while a powerup (or powerups) is active. It only recovers after you beat a wave. The powerups are important, though; I wouldn't have beaten the game without the two powerups I have unlocked.
So yeah, overall, it's an okay game. It's a bit short, and the gameplay is quite straightforward (not everyone will like this), but I do like the variety of stages, and if simple the game is fun to play.
--
Space Invaders Revolution - This was the first DS Space Invaders game, and it really isn't revolutionary. Actually, it's a throwback to the original game, just with an added new mode with interesting enemy patterns and unlockable powerups. The game's good, but not great. The graphics are basic 2d, it looks fine enough. There are these "launch" animations before stages (in New mode) that are done in 3d, which is kind of odd because otherwise the game is entirely 2d.
As for the gameplay, classic mode is, well, Space Invaders. It's got a black backdrop and colored invaders (no color options unfortunately). You can turn UFOs on and off, though, and there are touchscreen controls too if you really want to use them. I use the buttons. You have to play Classic mode in order to unlock the special abilities in New mode, which is kind of odd; I've beaten New mode, but have only managed to unlock the first two of the six powerups. Classic mode's tough. :) As for the New mode though, there are twenty stages, and each of the twenty has three waves. You've got three lives to try to get through the three waves, but if an invader reaches the bottom you lose and have to start the stage over.
The stages all involve basic Space Invaders gameplay in some ways -- you move left and right, and shoot up. The invaders are the same three shapes seen in the original game, and they move back and forth. There are shields at the bottom. However, each of the stages has a unique gimmick. For instance, in one style you have to hit the invaders in the correct order. Hit the wrong one and you'll lose instantly (the one(s) to hit are colored, the ones to not hit are white). In another one the invaders are really small, and there are a lot of them. Other variations include one with a very narrow field, one where they shoot a lot more than normal, one with giant invaders, and more. The nice variety of stage types is fun, and helps add something to this otherwise short and repetitive game.
Even so though, this is classic Space Invaders stuff, and that's both a good and bad thing. Unless you've unlocked the Rapid Fire powerup, for instance, you can only have one shot on screen at a time. You move slowly, too. And powerup use is limited -- even after you've unlocked them (in the Classic mode, as I said; they don't tell you this ingame though), there's a meter on the right side of the lower screen that drains while a powerup (or powerups) is active. It only recovers after you beat a wave. The powerups are important, though; I wouldn't have beaten the game without the two powerups I have unlocked.
So yeah, overall, it's an okay game. It's a bit short, and the gameplay is quite straightforward (not everyone will like this), but I do like the variety of stages, and if simple the game is fun to play.