TGS hands-on: Every Extend Extra Extreme

by Andrew Yoon { Sep 21st 2007 at 1:51PM }

Don't let the ridiculous title fool you: Every Extend Extra Extreme has a lot going for it. Q? Entertainment's upcoming XBLA game expands upon the ideas of Every Extend Extra and provides a refreshing twist on a familiar concept. Unlike other shooters where players must protect their ship at all costs, E4 has players actually blowing up their own ships. The explosions caused by the self-detonated destruction ripple across, creating a domino effect that destroys all enemy ships within range of the connecting string of explosions.

E4 improves upon the previous titles by making true on the promise of the PSP E3. Mizuguchi's trademark music synesthesia style was merely cosmetic in that title, with almost no interactivity between the music and gameplay. E4 is different, however. As if taking a cue from Everyday Shooter, the explosions now add to the musical tapestry of the game, as they'll add an interesting and catchy beat to the music playing in the background. Detonating at the top of a beat will make the resulting blast even more powerful, so internalizing the music will only add to the gameplay experience.

E4 also adds a new shield system that encourages players to pick up power-ups as quickly as possible before they become vulnerable once again. The balance created by the new shield system creates a much faster-paced game than before, one where players will opt to trigger explosions more frequently -- it also makes the game a lot more accessible than the PSP title, which was somewhat notorious for its difficulty.

The new Endless mode is a great addition to the franchise, as it allows players to enjoy the simple pleasures of the gameplay without having to think too deeply. In order to extend time in Endless mode, players will still need to pick up Extend power-ups, but so long as they do, the game can continue indefinitely, perfect for competitive point earners and casual gamers alike.

It's easy to say that Every Extend Extra Extreme is an improvement for the franchise. It offers accessible gameplay that works well for both the hardcore and the casual, and includes a plethora of modes that will certainly keep players interested. The shooter mode, for example, returns the game to more traditional roots. The only misstep seems to have taken is in its visuals. Compared to the vibrant and varied themes found in E3, E4 looks somewhat uninspired. Also, the boss characters have been removed from E4. Sure, they were much too difficult in the previous game, but they could've added a lot of potential for quick strategic thinking. However, E4 is a clear progression forward for the series, one that deserves to get a bit more attention on XBLA.

Tags: e4, every-extend-extra-extreme, tgs07, xbla

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Shagittarius @ Sep 21st 2007 1:54PM

I will never be able to buy a game with a misinterpreted english saying.

FrankTheCrank @ Sep 21st 2007 2:02PM

I love these vector line games...they look so trippy.

Word of the street(IDF-Digital Ruler). @ Sep 21st 2007 2:02PM

E(3) was a lot of fun but I simply didn't see myself paying the retail price for it but now that it is on the xlive well now we are talking,I'll pay 800p for it.

Wow you could get a seizure just by staring at that picture.

David @ Sep 21st 2007 2:03PM

It's not translated at all... mis- or otherwise. The name was always "Every Extend," etc.

Shagittarius @ Sep 21st 2007 2:09PM

Ok, I dont know about this but why make a game title something that mirrors "Every Extended Extra"? It just seems like its a bad translation...

Sean @ Sep 21st 2007 2:26PM

Nothing will hurt my eyes/brain more than Space Giraffe.

ThornedVenom @ Sep 21st 2007 6:07PM

Was it for Visual Boy?

blooh (CDF - Ass Ring) @ Sep 21st 2007 10:42PM

you mean "virtual boy"? and no, it's on xbla

TehSilentOne @ Sep 21st 2007 2:26PM

^ it has always been an english title for all i know

GRANTED @ Sep 21st 2007 2:51PM

with all the neon colored stars this game should have a more appropriate title, like U R MR GAY

ThornedVenom @ Sep 21st 2007 6:08PM

The hidden title message made me laugh so damn hard. xD

NATO_Duke @ Sep 21st 2007 3:16PM

Finally a game that glorifies suicide - bout time! I dub the "most emo game of the month" (Unless there is a Square Enix game coming)

ThornedVenom @ Sep 21st 2007 6:10PM

Art is a bang!

Therum @ Sep 21st 2007 8:45PM

The original freeware game was called Every Extend. I always assumed this meant something along the lines of "Every Extend Counts," but it could certainly be engrish, god knows the instructions are.

When Q? acquired the rights to remake/make a sequel to E2, they just want with the original name and added the Extra, making it Every Extend Extra (or, E3). This isn't engrish at all, it is Every Extend (E2) with Extra content.

Continuing the theme, they now have E4. Again, it's not engrish. It's Every Extend Extra, only, you know, Extreme.

It's certainly possible that the original title was engrish, but you really can't blame Q? for this.

(Also, I'm looking forward to this series continuing. Eventually, the names are just going to get insanely long. Every Extend Extra Extreme Enhanced?)