Joystiq impressions: Geometry Wars Galaxies

by Ross Miller { Jul 15th 2007 at 8:30PM }

Despite what developers Kuju tell us, we don't think fans of previous Geometry Wars games will necessarily enjoy Galaxies for the Wii. Though it may have been more enjoyable with the classic controller, our playtime with the Wii remote and nunchuk proved needlessly hard to use.

Movement is done with then nunchuk's joystick, and the direction of your fire is determined by where you point on screen and is shown via a thin red line shooting out of your ship. Given the sheer necessity to be accurate in more difficult phases, having to deal with Wii remote's imprecise pointing proves detrimental.

Compensating for the control issues is your little drone buddy that will team up with you against the Shapes of Evil. By collecting geoms, the game's currency dropped by the bad guys, you can upgrade your drone. We couldn't get a descriptive answer as to what upgrades will be available, but a representative gave us the example of buying an upgrade that tells the drone to target a specific type of foe.

Gallery: Geometry Wars Galaxies (Wii)

Gallery: Geometry Wars Galaxies (DS)

You can download a version of Xbox Live's Retro Evolved on the DS. You can use either the D-pad or the buttons on the right (for southpaw gamers) to move and shoot in a specified direction via where your stylus is on the touch screen. Or you can swap that and shoot with the D-pad, move with the stylus -- either way, you're still left with some imprecision because the D-pad will only give you eight directions at a time.

In terms of levels, we're seeing 60 different planets, organized by solar systems and again by galaxies (hence the title). Galaxies' online aspect is its leaderboards, one for each level. Visually, the special effects were well preserved but we were shown the game on an HD screen, which makes most Wii games look like they're presented through a grainy filter. Here, the rep reminded us the game is still in pre-alpha stages.

We couldn't get a finalized price from the representative. The controls of Geometry Wars Galaxies were designed are ideal with two analog sticks, and at this point we can't recommend this game without having the classic controller. And with it, we're still not sure if the level variety will justify paying retail for an extremely low-priced Xbox Live download. Galaxies will be out this fall.

Tags: Bizarre, e3, e307, GeometryWars, handson, impressions

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Dantarion @ Jul 15th 2007 8:39PM

I want to see a game support strange combinations of controllers like two nunchuck+wiimotes, using just the nunchucks for dual analog. Honestly, I want this game, but I don't want to buy a classic control just to play with dual analog sticks.

Chris @ Jul 15th 2007 9:15PM

So instead of spending $20 on a classic controller, you'd rather spend $60 on a remote and nunchuck? Seems a bit odd...

Dantarion @ Jul 15th 2007 9:22PM

Well, I for one, already have two Nunchucks and two Wiimotes because I play other Wii games with friends. However, since I don't use the Virtual Console or play any game that can even use the classic controller, I don't have a classic controller.

I don't want to spend any more money. I already shelled out the cash what I have.

JonnyBoy2U @ Jul 15th 2007 9:07PM

How much is this game going to be sold for?

Surely not $50.00. This is a XBox Live type of game that should be sold on the Wii Store IMO.

I think Nintendo really needs to reevaluate the lack of Hard Drive for the Wii. I mean 20G would have gone a LONG way to making the Wii a more solid system overall to develop for. Not to mention it would make Extra Content such as Demos, Downloadable games (ie above), and VC games easier to manage. And then people could delete them as they see fit.

Instead I find myself worrying about how they're going to deal with demos and stuff. Part of the reason why I love my Elite is that I don't have to worry about all that crap since I know I've got the space to store it on and it won't slow or ruin the system at all.

Anyways the game looks really shiny and fireworks like but I'm not convince its worth my time.

Phil @ Jul 15th 2007 10:12PM

pfft, why the hell would they do that? so the price could change to somewhere near the price of a 360?

They need to hang onto their one main attraction, being a cheap console. They have nothing else to back them up, like lack of better graphics (i know there not a ps3 or 360, but give people something better than a gamecube port please).

Burnt Meatloaf @ Jul 15th 2007 9:11PM

I thought the Wii could do AA better than the Gamecube.

So why does NO game acutally use it?

Crono @ Jul 16th 2007 10:18AM

Sub-pixel AA must be manually programmed in the Wii, same as shader effects. Developers don't do it because they either don't have the time to program said shaders, or they are to lazy to learn to do such, feeling that the Wii demographic won't notice.

Games like WiiSports can do without it, but anything aimed at the hardcore gamer must include these effects.

DC @ Jul 15th 2007 9:21PM

lol you know what sucks the most? this game will probably come built in with Project Gotham Racing 4.

generaldane @ Jul 15th 2007 9:34PM

I am starting to get the feeling that you guys didnt play Metroid Prime. Ok i know i am spamming whatever

Ian Von Porter @ Jul 15th 2007 9:36PM

$50 well spent.. lmao.. Wii users gets ripped off again.

BPM @ Jul 15th 2007 11:15PM

Noone said it costs $50, genius.

Fatass of Kickassness @ Jul 16th 2007 2:12AM

Don't try presenting logic to Ian, he's the biggest troll since Jack of No Trades (and Jack was just kidding around - Ian is actually this stupid).

hegemonyhog @ Jul 15th 2007 9:45PM

You all have read that this game is dozens of times larger than the XBLA version, right?

megaStryke @ Jul 15th 2007 9:47PM

Wow. Every other site can't stop raving about this game. Destructoid, Kotaku, Game|Life, IGN, all of them say that this game is a blast to play. They say that the Wii Remote controls aren't as bad as some had assumed at first. I'm surprised at how brutal Joystiq evaluated this title. I'm wondering if the other journalists were playing a completely different game.

Jonathan @ Jul 15th 2007 9:48PM

It's not going to be JUST a Wii version of Retro Evolved. It's going to have multiple worlds and alot more content then Retro Evolved. What I'm not sure about though is if it's really worth 50 dollars. Perhaps 30 dollars would be a secure buy for me.

fawazr @ Jul 15th 2007 10:04PM

Curious... I've never encountered accuracy issues with aiming the Wiimote. I've had issues with damn near every other aspect of the Wiimote, but not aiming. Perhaps if the aiming gripes aren't applicable to me, I'd find the game immensely enjoyable?

mr_deadpool @ Jul 15th 2007 10:41PM

not only is joystiq saying the opposite of every other site, but about a quarter of the impressions is about how the 360 game controls, meanwhile they complain about how the wii game controls.

for everything they're saying is in the game 30 dollars sounds about right... but only if you really like the game, but its a good starting price at any rate.

majortom1981 @ Jul 15th 2007 11:04PM

if all the other sites like this game and this one doesnt then i find something fishy going on.

Tony @ Jul 15th 2007 11:42PM

Whether or not it's playable isn't really the question. I think it's clear that it is... but I also think it's clear, just even by using a Wii remote in general, that it will not be quite as precise as it was on the 360. The game design is based around two sticks. If you were to compare the two directly, I'm willing to bet that anyone that actually wanted to do very well at the game would recommend getting a classic controller. Just kind of makes sense to me.

As for the other sites I don't know. I guess just trust whomever you usually do. I have a hard time believing every last glowing impression during shows like this anyway. I mean, they're being treated well, they're playing stuff we won't get to for months... I have to figure that factors in to something somehow lol. That's just my thought, though.

Ken @ Jul 16th 2007 12:02AM

"Given the sheer necessity to be accurate in more difficult phases, having to deal with Wii remote's imprecise pointing proves detrimental."

I laughed at that. You're basically saying you suck at pointing at the screen, and blaming it on the Wii remote.

Try playing RE4. Wherever you point it, is EXACTLY where it goes on the screen.

Cheezeman3000 @ Jul 16th 2007 12:55AM

Are you smoking something, Ross? The Wii remote screen pointer has never, ever been imprecise... it's the most precise gaming peripherial I've ever seen. Examples can be seen in the Wii Play shooting game, or RE:4, or any game with an onscreen reticule. So... was the problem really with the controller, or was it with your skill instead?

Mikeo @ Jul 16th 2007 5:49AM

Have you ever played GW before?

Unlike RE4 there's NO time for your brain to do a relative shooting pinpoint. The Xbox controls bypass these altogether, flowing through the whole game.

This ain't a target shooter, it's flow-based and invokes much more strategies than err... "precise" shooting. (unless you want to be n00by and cap at 200k, or aka 1000k on the potentially kiddified difficulties)

megaStryke @ Jul 16th 2007 9:38AM

You aren't doing pinpoint shooting in this game. What you are thinking of is Missile Command. In Missile Command, you mark a spot on the screen and fire, and that spot will mark the detonation point of your attack. In Geometry Wars Galaxies, you aren't marking a detonation point but rather a vector direction with your ship as the starting point. Say your ship is in the center and you aim 45 degrees NE, then your fire will travel continuously in that direction regardless of how far away from the ship you are aiming.

Martez @ Jul 16th 2007 12:58AM

I'd still prefer a dual analog setup.

So you can't use the classic controller with this? Weak.

James @ Jul 16th 2007 4:58AM

I'd like to add my surprised voice to the others here - I realise that these are impressions, and therefore an early and subjective take on the game, but it's quite clear from ALL the other major game sites that this game is highly regarded, quite specifically in terms of the way it controls.

Perhaps the impressionista has much experience of XBLA GW, and is unwilling to make the necessary changes of habit to accommodate the new controls?

Mikeo @ Jul 16th 2007 5:53AM

10 bucks that it's time limited exclusivity and Kuju ports it to 360 in 2008.

Anything above $20 for "extra content" is a ripoff. Geo was never about levels, when the way you play already defined your level. New monsters are just LOL.

Brad Lee @ Jul 16th 2007 10:05AM

I was a bit skeptical about this "pointing" style of control from the getgo.

With RE4 it's perfect, because you generally have the time to aim for precise targeting.

But as others have said, GW is not about precise targeting, and I think the Wii cursor would likely get lost in all the chaos.

Is there an option to play with a GC controller? I'd prefer that to having to buy a classic attachment just for this game...

Plaid Ninja @ Jul 16th 2007 10:47AM

Nintendo doesn't need a Hard Drive, they just need to open up use of the SD slot so we can bring our own memory to use however we like. Cards are plentiful and cheap. That makes people happy. Happy buyers spread the word and increase sales. Simple as that.