Geometry Wars
| Geometry Wars | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Bizarre Creations |
| Publisher(s) | Microsoft Game Studios |
| Distributor(s) | Microsoft Game Studios (retail) Microsoft Game Studios/Valve Corporation (Steam) |
| Designer(s) | Stephen Cakebread |
| Composer(s) | Chris Chudley |
| Platform(s) | Xbox, Xbox 360, Windows Vista, Windows XP |
| Release date(s) | Xbox November 17, 2003 Xbox 360
March 7, 2007 |
| Genre(s) | Multi-directional shooter |
| Mode(s) | Single player |
| Distribution | Download |
Geometry Wars is a minigame created by Bizarre Creations as part of Project Gotham Racing 2 for the Xbox, accessible through the in-game garage. An updated version of the game, Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved, is available for download on the Xbox 360 via Xbox Live Arcade. It can also be played in demo form in Project Gotham Racing 3. It has held the record for most-downloaded Xbox Live Arcade game.[1] A new version, Geometry Wars: Evolved, has been produced for mobile phones,.[2] A version has also been released for Microsoft Windows under the Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved name on the Steam content delivery network. Another version named Geometry Wars: Waves is available to play in Project Gotham Racing 4. Geometry Wars: Galaxies was released for the Nintendo DS and Wii in November 2007. A sequel, Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2 was released to Xbox Live Arcade on July 30, 2008. The most recent version of the game was released for iOS devices.
The soundtrack was composed by Chris Chudley from Audioantics who created the music for all of the Geometry Wars series.
Gameplay
The object of Geometry Wars is to survive as long as possible and score as many points as possible by destroying an ever-increasing swarm of enemies. The game takes place on a rectangular playfield and the player controls a claw-shaped "ship" that can move in any direction using the left thumbstick, and can fire in any direction independently using the right thumbstick. The player also has a limited number of bombs that can be detonated and destroy all enemies on the playfield. As the game progresses, the player can earn extra lives and additional bombs at set score increments, and the primary weapon changes at regular intervals (10,000 points). Also, enemies spawn in progressively larger quantities and at greater frequency as the game progresses. If an enemy touches the player's ship, the ship explodes and a life is lost, plus the multiplier worked up by how many enemies are killed in one life is also lost. The game is over when the player runs out of lives.
The Evolved version of the game takes place on a playfield that is slightly larger than the display area of the TV screen, and the camera follows the player's movements. A background grid pattern adds to the graphical effects by warping in reaction to player shots and the behavior of certain enemies. This version introduces new enemies and a score multiplier that increases as the player destroys enemies without losing a life.
Retro Evolved 2
On July 30, 2008, the sequel, Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2, was released on Xbox Live Arcade
Retro Evolved 2 provides local cooperative and competitive multiplayer modes for two to four players simultaneously, and an exclusive "Co-Pilot" mode in which two players control the same ship, with one moving and the other firing. Additionally, the game provides support for worldwide leaderboards in each game mode and, by default, displays the player's ranking against his/her friends during play.
Geometry Wars: Galaxies
In November 2007, Kuju Entertainment and Sierra Entertainment released a version of the game for the Nintendo DS and Wii titled Geometry Wars: Galaxies.[3] This version introduces a single-player campaign and multiplayer gameplay.
See also
- Xbox Live Arcade
- Project Gotham Racing 2
- Project Gotham Racing 3
- Project Gotham Racing 4
- GridWars, a freeware Geometry Wars clone for PC
- Everyday Shooter, Blast Factor and Super Stardust HD, similar games available for download on the PlayStation Network
References
- ↑ Carless, Simon. "Q&A: Microsoft Discuss Xbox 360 Live Stats". Gamasutra. CMP.
- ↑ "Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved Mobile." Pocket Gamer. November 6, 2006. Accessed November 10, 2006
- ↑ "Geometry Wars on Wii and DS".
External links
- Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved at Steam Valve Corporation (content delivery)
- Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved at MSN games
- Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2 Video 1
- iTunes App Store link
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