Wii Round 2: Geometry Wars: Galaxys

This week Digital Gamer is highlighting the next generation of Wii games that really start to show off what Nintendo's little box can do.
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Late 2005, during the launch of the Xbox 360, many gamers were disappointed in the then lackluster retail games available. Thankfully, Microsoft also launched the Live Arcade along with Bizarre Creations space shooting game, Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved. Originally a hidden mini-game in Project Gotham Racing 1, 2, and 3, Retro Evolved bought back memories of arcades from the 70s and 80s where you were competing not only with friends, but also yourself. It went on to be the best selling Live Arcade game to date. This success compelled Bizarre Creations to make a sequel, but this time on the Nintendo Wii and Nintendo DS.

The controls have been completely redesigned to work with the Remote and Nunchuck. Point at any part of the screen you want to fire and shoot. The stick on the Nunchuck maneuvers the ship around. It takes awhile to adjust for Geometry Wars vets but, overall, it works well. The dual-stick setup on the classic controller can also be used for those who prefer. Also, the DS version can be linked up for competitive play.

Retro Evolved on the Xbox 360 was fun enough to play forever and that was only one level. Multiply that by 60 levels, and it starts to set in how significant this is to fans of the franchise. Each require a unique strategy to effectively tackle. Some of these include: a level where gravity spins around like a whirlpool, pulling everything (Including enemy ships) in the direction of the tide and one with a giant black hole, pulling you in as you fight the oncoming swarm.

Loads of new features are present, including a drone helper which can be set to be more defensive and watch your back or be more aggressive and actively seek out enemies. You can even go so far as to have it only go after certain types of enemies, shoot in the opposite direction as you (Spinning Wheel of Death!) or not shoot at all and collect Geoms, the currency of the game. These can be spent on new worlds, challenges and abilities.

It wouldn't be a proper sequel to Geometry Wars without strange new adversaries. Two that have been confirmed: One that weights down your ship, slowing it down (Shake the remote around to knock it off), an another one that infects other ships making them twice as deadly.

It's not the most complicated game ever made and thats OK. Sometime all you need is brilliant design and few friends.