It's an invasion! Break out the tanks!Here is my review on another one of those good ole' remakes of the classic arcades. I was raised with centipede and q*bert adventure versions in my collection, and the theme has just always stuck with me. I was going to do the asteroids game, but it was already taken care of, so here I am! First of all, I would like to say that they really brought this game up from where it used to be. It was, when it first came out just a black background with white characters. I am more than happy to say that this game is a far cry form that simplicity, but it still has that good arcade feeling to it. They even added some tricky bosses, that can be really tough to beat. I completed this game without the benefit of a memory card. Sometimes, I think that can be the best way to go, as it helps to make you strive harder and harder until you finally conquer and get to the end. With blabbing on further...the review.
Graphics: I would definitely say that the graphics get a 10. The game makers really brought it up from the dark into the modern day--as of the date of the game's release. (It even stands strong among today's games in my opinion!) They really did a great job creating the background for all the levels. And it was an awesome idea to have the game span almost all the planets, starting with Pluto (which is still a planet, in my opinion!) The enemies were well designed, as were your own weapons. It has been a little while since I played it, but I can still remember the acid cloud graphics. That was really quite awesome! I still remember that final boss as well...golem. Definitely not the thing that I was expecting, but it really worked. Overall, the graphics were just awesome.
Sound: The sound I will also give a 10. There was all kinds of good sound effects that were just amazing. There was the sound effects for the acid cloud. That really sounded like an electric sphere. The explosions of the alien enemies were very well done as well. Once again, the weapons really added to the department as well. I can still remember the sound of the freeze ray (or whatever it was) I really cannot even remember exactly which weapon it was, only the sound. I know that it was a fat, bluish beam. One of the better sound effects that improved on the original was the sound of the UFO saucers. They had a really good sound to them that was not annoying to my ears! The original one was so high pitched that it can really grate on you. Overall, I would have to say that all the sound guys did their jobs quite well.
Addictiveness: This game is quite addictive. There are several difficulties to choose from and extra levels to play that you do not get the first time around. (I only got to play these because my brother noticed that there were extra levels in the level
select and told me about the "white thing") Combined with the game's graphics, sound, name and game play, this game definitely deserves a 10 for addictiveness.
Story: This game definitely has one of the best openings that I have seen for a playstation arcade remake. The beginning was just so awesome between the sounds and graphics, and the alien threat itself. The game did a good job making you feel like a hero taking back the galaxy from the aliens. I loved the idea of going through the planets to work your way to rescuing earth. They did a good job revamping the storyline as well. I would have to give it a 9.
Depth: Well, it is fairly simple. You finish so many levels on each planet. You start on pluto and work your way to earth. Once you defeat Golem (at least I think that was his name) that is pretty much the end of the game. Although there are a few extra worlds that you can do. However, there are about ten stages plus a boss level for every planet. So that definitely makes up for any lack of extras. Overall, I would say the depth to be about 8.
Difficulty: If you do not have a memory card. (which I did not) This game is pretty tough. I mean, that is a lot of levels to make it through! I think if you add it up it was about 77 levels that you have to make it through. I cannot remember if I got a lot of lives or a lot of continues to get through it. The bosses are very difficult indeed, especially as you start getting closer to earth. Not to mention the fact that the aliens move a lot faster in the later levels. I would definitely agree that this should get a 9.
Overall: All in all, Space Invaders was an awesome upgrade from the original game, and is awesome in its own right. The game delivers the old fashioned arcade feel along with the modern day adventure, weapons, graphic, and sound. I would have to say that Space Invaders earned a 9.5 as a whole
Graphics
10 Sound
10 Addictive
10 Depth
8 Story
9 Difficulty
9