GEOMETRY WARS

'''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 was for a time the most-downloaded game on Xbox Live Arcade.^[1] A version is in development for mobile phones,^[2] and a version has also been released for Windows Vista, as well as a reduced-price Windows XP release on the Steam content delivery network. Another rendition, with an added single-player campaign, has been announced for the Nintendo DS and Wii, titled '''Geometry Wars: Galaxies'''.^[3]

Contents

Gameplay

Nintendo DS and Wii versions

PC version

See also

References

External links

Gameplay

The object of ''Geometry Wars'' is to survive as long as possible and score as many points as possible by destroying a constant, ever-increasing swarm of enemies. 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 can also detonate a bomb that destroys all enemies currently visible on the screen. The game takes place on a rectangular playfield. As the game progresses, the player earns extra lives and additional bombs, and his/her primary weapon changes at regular intervals. Also, enemies spawn in progressively larger quantities and at greater frequency as the game progresses. If an enemy touches the player's ship, it explodes and a life is lost. The game is over when the player loses all of his/her 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 of the game also introduces a score multiplier that increases to higher levels as the player survives and destroys enemies.
Enemies in the original and Retro versions of ''Geometry Wars'' include:

★ Light blue diamonds, which move slowly toward the player.

★ Magenta boxes, which move more quickly. When hit, this enemy splits into three smaller boxes that swirl around in circles while moving toward the player.

★ Green boxes, which also move quickly. They attempt to avoid the player's shots.

★ Red circles, which move very slowly. When hit, they become powerful gravity wells that attempt to suck in other enemies and the player, while also repelling the player's shots. Each time an enemy is sucked in, the circles grow in diameter. If allowed to grow large enough, they explode and send a swarm of smaller circles toward the player.
Enemies in the Evolved version include the above enemies, plus:

★ Purple pinwheels, which move slowly and in seemingly random directions, serving more as obstacles to the player rather than as direct threats.

★ Light blue triangles, which appear in huge swarms and attempt to overwhelm the player with their sheer quantity.

★ Red claws, which take aim and charge toward the player, emitting a shot-repelling force field in front of them.

★ White snakes, which appear either in the corners of the screen or in a circle around the player and "wiggle" their way toward the player. Can only be destroyed by shooting the head.

Nintendo DS and Wii versions

'Geometry Wars: Galaxies', announced in the July 2007 edition of Nintendo Power, is being developed by Kuju Entertainment for the Nintendo DS and Wii. In addition to supporting each platform's unique controller schemes, ''Galaxies'' will feature multiplayer support and a campaign mode, in which the player travels between solar systems to battle enemies.^[4] Furthermore, the Wii edition can be used to provide a download station for a ''Geometry Wars'' demo to local DSes, and both editions can interface with one another in order to unlock extra features.^[5]

PC version

A version of 'Geometry Wars', dubbed 'Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved' is available on PC, via the popular Steam download client (for Windows XP) and MSN games (for Windows Vista). This version contains all the features of the Evolved version with extra enemies, including a swarm of small white pinwheels.
Ported to Windows XP and Vista, the game claims to be a pixel perfect recreation of the Xbox Live Arcade version.

See also

★ ''Robotron 2084'', and ''Tempest (arcade game), the direct inspirations for Geometry Wars

★ ''Xbox Live Arcade''

★ ''Project Gotham Racing 2''

★ ''Project Gotham Racing 3''

★ ''Grid Wars'', freeware ''Geometry Wars'' alternative for PC

★ ''Blast Factor'', a similar game available for download on the PlayStation Network

References

1. Q&A: Microsoft Discuss Xbox 360 Live Stats Carless, Simon
2. "Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved Mobile." Pocket Gamer. November 6 2006. Accessed November 10 2006
3. Geometry Wars on Wii and DS
4. News article at BizarreCreations.com
5. Interview with producer at Pocket Gamer

External links

★ Official ''Geometry Wars'' website

★ 'Strategy Guide with Video'

★ ''Geometry Wars' Achievements list

★ Reviews of several ''Geometry Wars'' clones

★ ''Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved'' at MSN games

★ ''Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved'' at Steam Valve Corporation (content delivery)

★ interview with producer of the DS version of Geometry Wars: Galaxies