Are we perverse? There's nothing retro about this experience!
by Vladimir Cole 
{ Nov 19th 2005 at 5:28PM }
Geometry Wars Evolved is sick. Maybe we're sick too, because we can't pull ourselves away from the game long enough to play any of the launch titles we've received. Kameo, Project Gotham Racing 3, Amped 3, NBA2K6, NHL2K6—it don't matter, we're so in the groove with Geometry Wars that we've come to an epiphany of sorts.
Gameplay is everything. The game is modelled on Robotron 2084, a game that I never became good at because it required an investment of quarters that was far beyond my 10-year-old's allowance. Heck, I'd sweep straws between arcade cabinet and floor in order to dig out a quarter to feed my addiction. Now that I've got the game on Xbox Live arcade, I am determined to become the gaming god that I had idolized as a poor arcade rat.
Some games don't stand the test of time, but Bizarre has pared the Geometry Wars human-computer interface (just two analog sticks are used to control the game) down to a minimum. With 5.1 sound, thumping subwoofers, a massive HD screen, and (ok, we admit it) several glasses of Chardonnay in us, we're completely enthralled with this game.
But that's not really the point of this post. The point is that gaming happiness isn't the exclusive domain of those oft-overpriced boxes sitting in your local game retailer. Xbox Live Arcade is more than enough to create veritable endorphin rushes of the sort that so-called "AAA" titles regularly fail to release.
Congrats, Geometry Wars Evolved, you've become the first Xbox Live arcade game that we've plunked down our own quarters (20 of them) to purchase. That's the highest compliment we can pay any game.
We'll see you suckas on the leaderboard under gamertag Joystiq.
[Update: gamertag Joystiq just made it to #17 in the rankings with a new high score of 181,275. We're thrilled!]
[Update 2: We have now reached rank #11 with a score of 223,200! This of course requires feline-like reflexes and ninja-like dexterity.]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Rjcc @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM
Note: I will be handing out sonnings upon request or as necessary on Joust.
This post is exactly the way I felt when I found out that Joust would be available on xbox live in 1080i.
Don't get me wrong, I love a bazillion poly's and DR lighting but gotdamn if i didn't spend my formative years on the atari 2600 training for the day when I could show off my joust skills worldwide. That day is here.
Luke @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM
And how many people are playing it yet?
Adam @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM
Hmmm, sounds more like an arcade marathon.
Question: Can you buy stuff through the xbox 360 by like putting your card in? Or do you ahve to get the prepaid points.
Adam @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM
Thats by putting your card details in, not physically putting your card in.
have*
vc @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM
Adam: all transactions are handled through "Microsoft Points" -- dollar signs are never mentioned.
Khaled @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM
I can't wait to try it. Too bad your high score isn't going to last long. That's right; I'm talking smack.
strictnein @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM
Chardonnay? WTF?
It's called beer. look into it.
C. Grant @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM
Khaled, bring it!
Coyote @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM
again i cant help but laugh that you people spend 400 dollars on a box that will play joust... wait 405 because you accually have to pay for it.
this is the furture of consoles?? god I hope not.
/goes back into his cave until the PS3 emerges.
Tiremfej @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM
Joust and Galaga, I will buy both of those two games. My two all time favorites. Galaga is there right?
jACK @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM
Coyote, not a gamer? The whole thing - for gamers - is being able to play what you enjoy, when you want.
Sometimes it's a 12 hour RPG marathon, sometimes it's a flashback to when we were chunkin' quarters into an arcade machine.
PS - Hope you either live in Japan or have lots of MREs stockpiled in your cave, because I fear we're not going to see the PS3 stateside for another 18 months. (IMHO)