While players are doing their best to eradicate every last invader on the screen, they will at least be treated to some psychedelic backgrounds that rapidly change as game progresses. Should players access bonus rounds, the background will change to black with blue linings, while in ‘Fever Time,’ the backgrounds will have a purple hue to accompany the proceedings.
The sounds the supplement the game mostly come from the resulting effects of aliens dying from your ship’s laser, which have musical overtones in a sense that will remind most players of Rez, an underappreciated game from Sega that appeared on the Dreamcast and Playstation 2. The music has a bit of a techno flavor to it and is accompanied by a female voice that announces the title of the game, the stage that you are currently on, and whether you have gone into ‘fever time.’
Space Invaders Extreme's 'Fever Time,' a chance for players to score even more points.
In terms of presentation, there are no glaring problems with Space Invaders: Extreme. Some players’ tastes may not favor the techno-based graphics and sound. If that is the case, the option is always there to remove the backgrounds and mute the music. Controlling your ship is a smooth procedure as well, with sharp responses coming from the buttons and the directional pad; in other words, if you make a mistake, the fault lies with you, and not the game.
The experience itself is very short, only checking in at five levels, though branching paths do exist if you achieve a high enough score at certain points during the game. Repetition can also set in at times, as you are literally doing nothing more than blasting aliens and foreign objects from the sky.
However, this repetition is inherent to the retro game genre, which was at the height of popularity before games developed the ability to allow for multiple types of experiences. For fans of these ‘old-style’ games, Space Invaders Extreme is the perfect addition to supplement your retro fantasies.
Besides, even if you find yourself tiring of it, you will not have to give your wallet dirty looks; as the game is only $20, it also serves as a perfect introduction for new players attempting to understand what made retro games so much fun.
Highs
Detailed graphics and addictive soundtrack add style to the Space Invaders experience; the gameplay stands the test of time, not too hard or too easy; budget price.
Lows
With only five levels, the game can be a bit short; not much replay value.
Final Verdict
A enjoyable experience all around; while perfect for 'retro' gamers, it packs enough style to reel in newcomers as well.
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