Space Invaders Extreme

Title: Space Invaders Extreme
Platform Played On: PSP
Release Date: June 17, 2008
Date Played: Summer 2008
Time Played: 2 hours
Completed (Y/N): N/A
Score: 3/5





Opinion:
Space Invaders... I never really got to play it back in the day, and the only games of the type that I did play were Galaga and Galaxian on the NES. And to be honest I've never been a fan. Even in the NES days there were far more interesting and visually engaging titles such as Contra, Rush'n'Attack, Zelda, Mario, Metroid, Indiana Jones, Tale Spin, and the list goes on and on. The point here is that I started playing Space Invaders Extreme with zero nostalgia.

Space Invaders Extreme took the 1978 formula and brought it into the 21st century. The basic gameplay is untouched. You still pilot a little ship left and right on the screen. You are still dodging bullets and suicidal enemies. One thing that is different though in this "extreme" version is that now you can collect and use powerups. These certainly vary the gameplay and coupled with pretty good technoish soundtrack make you (the player) feel like you are laying in some major kickassery.

Space Invaders Extreme is much more visually engaging than any Space Invaders iteration before it. If you are a fan of the original, or want to hit some nostalgic spots, then Space Invaders Extreme will not dissapoint. But if the games of this type are not your thing, it is unlikely your love for them will start here. Personally I got pretty bored after a few rounds. As all games of the late 70's Space Invaders is extremely repetitive and has little reward aside from the high score. One of the benefits of the technological progress is that we all can be spoiled with games like Uncharted, Metal Gear, Halo and Modern Warfare.

Boiled down, Space Invaders Extreme is a very good Space Invaders game. However with so many more sophisticated games out there and limited time to play them, I would ask myself if that limited time is best spent playing this game.