OXCGN’s Space Invaders: Infinity Gene XBLA Review

Invaders from space back again…but looking old

by : aksobey

©2010 Kent Sobey

I must start this review by saying how hard it is to actually review this game.

There is no plot to speak of, the graphics look like they are from the 80s and the music is awful. That being said, it was still fun to play which is why it is difficult to review. I am torn between rating the tangible elements of the game and the overall experience.

To begin with, not much has changed from the classic Space Invaders that we all know and love. There are a few new guns and some new bad guys but the game still feels the same as it used to.

This may be exactly what some people are looking for and may be somewhat disappointing for other people.

I fit into the disappointed group.

• Space Invaider Infinity Gene Video

The music gave me a headache and eventually I had to play with the game on mute. If you like hardcore dance music then this is the game for you – it certainly is not my cup of tea though. Although, in some strange way, it suits the game so no one can be blamed for using it.

Graphically, I have to say that I feel very let down. I do realize that it is Space Invaders and this is the way it was but seriously… It is 2010, they could have done better! Remember that headache I mentioned earlier – well the images on the screen did nothing to soothe it.

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The further you get into the game the more it differentiates itself from the original but in my humble opinion it doesn’t do enough to make it feel fresh. Adding the ability to move up and down as well as side to side gives the opportunity to add some different enemies into the mix that shoot at you from different angles, but not much more than that.

Then there is the ‘pseudo 3D’ mode which, lets face it, is more of the same, but from a different perspective. I wasn’t sold on it. In fact, I would have preferred it if this was left out entirely – I enjoyed the start of the game much more.

… And the colours… If you could hear me sigh, this is where it would be loudest.

Throughout the game, you will see red, green, white, black, purple and maybe some blue. And only one shade of each. It got boring!

Having said all of the above, it is still worth mentioning that it was fun to play for a short period. I don’t think that I could do more than 30 minutes at a time on the game purely because the headache would kill me.

If you are a fan of the old Space Invaders and want to bring back a few memories then you should give this game a try but don’t expect much more than a beefed up 80’s game.

Some dinosaurs should stay buried.

“5/10

©2010 Kent Sobey

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