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Space Invaders Revolution Mini Review
Chris Leyton
11/07/2005
Over twenty years since the last alien invasion, those pesky Space Invaders return to the Nintendo DS...
If you're not sure what Space Invaders is all about then what are you doing playing videogames; a summary of the game shouldn't be needed, but for those that may have missed out on the 1978 Taito classic that helped to kick-start the videogames industry, it's basically you against legions upon legions of marauding space invaders and thatās about it.
Start-up European publisher Rising Star Games have picked up the license to launch themselves upon the scene with a Nintendo DS version, most significantly they've enticed none other than the creator of the 1978 original, Tomihiro Nishikado, to bring the "re-imagining" of the original concept to life.
Unsurprisingly the game contains a faithful replication of the original; however it's the "New Age Ver." that holds the most entertainment. Thankfully the game maintains the spirit of the original (unlike many previous updates) retaining the simple, yet maddeningly addictive gameplay. It's probably not the type of game that DS owners will hold up in comparison to what the competition can offer, but there's no denying it helps to quickly pass the time when you're stuck on a bus or just want to have a quick gaming fix. Whilst the saying of old games don't get played not because they're bad but because they're old is apt, the simple truth is that Space Invaders remains a thoroughly enjoyable experience in the present day - perhaps I'm just getting old, but they just don't make games as challenging yet with a beautifully simple concept as this these days.
The New Era mode pits various stages from across the globe complete with pretty backdrop images of such landmarks as the leaning tower of Piza, Taj Mahal and Downtown L.A. The actual experience has changed very little, although Dream has come up with a number of twists to keep the experience fresh. Significantly the varying alien characteristics will have even those who mastered the glitches the first time around screaming out in anguished ecstasy, when invaders fade in and out of view and refuse to die. Occasionally a boss invader will make an appearance comprised of multiple invaders in the shape of the traditional icon, whilst other stages will require varying techniques to disperse of the incessant threat and their multiple attack patterns. Thankfully none of them deviate too far away from the classic formula, so the game retains the āone-more-goā frustration as you vow to throw the DS out of the nearest window if that one last invader gets you next time, yet at the same time feeling refreshingly different.
To assist the player with the various new threats a variety of power-upās become available as you progress through the game, ranging from protective shields to rapid-fire shots and column-clearing laser beams. In one of the smartest twists these power-upās can be combined, allowing you to merge a three-way shot with a laser-beam to devastating effect for example. The introduction of varying alien techniques and power-upās changes the game concept quite significantly, yet never deviates away from the original formula and more importantly maintains the frustratingly addictive gameplay that had us all fixed twenty odd years ago.
Whether or not Space Invaders DS is a game to highlight the formatās unique capabilities is dubious. The classic mode utilizes both screens to represent the original arcade cabinet, while the New Age version accommodates special attack techniques and a large shoot button on the bottom while the action takes place on the top screen. Thereās no denying that the method of tapping to shoot and using the d-pad to move works well and provides the response needed for Space Invaders; but whether a 27-year old game is the type to draw attention to the DS remains questionable.
Space Invaders Revolution is never going to be the title to grab the attention of the masses, but for those that have fond memories or wish for something highly addictive to fill 15 minute slots youāll not find anything quite so fitting as this.
