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"Pixeljunk Shooter"

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This thread has been linked to the game 'PixelJunk Shooter'.
Fri 08/01/10 at 15:29
Moderator
"possibly impossible"
Posts: 24,985
Hot on the heels of another Playstation Network retro shooter, Gravity Crash, comes Pixeljunk’s answer to the 80’s classic Thrust. But although this looks like it could be similar to Gravity Crash, it actually has far more depth.

Retro Revival
Shooter still has it’s feet dug firmly in the 80’s home computer game ground though and it revels in the old style of gameplay and graphics while giving them both a new lease of life on an HD console in the way only Pixeljunk games know how to.

From the lovely little intro to the level selection screen the game oozes class and charm in equal measure, it never goes overboard in being too modern or going retro for retro’s sake.

Manic Miners
The order of the day is to rescue a bunch of stranded miners on a far away planet after they find something while digging. What this translates into is diving into a series of tight tunnels with all sorts of obstacles and looking out for trapped miners while shooting the creatures that try to get in your way.

Lovin’ the Lava
All well and good, but then add in a neat system of lava and water, one cooling the other to allow you to pass, then gas and ice which have different effects again. With the elements stacked against you this soon becomes less of a game about shooting and more an exploration and puzzle solving one.

Flying through early levels might have you believe this game will be short lived, but trust me when I say the puzzles soon get a lot harder, with tighter caverns and more element puzzles to work out. At times I felt like giving up but the balance is just tipped in favour of giving it that one more try.

Elemental Beats
Another element in Shooter’s favour is the nice little soundtrack that hums away in the background as you play. Made especially for the game by High Frequency Bandwidth is beautifully in tune with the retro-modern feel of the game. Sound effects are standard fare but the music really makes this something worth turning the sound up for.

Two Shooter
Co-op is another feature that makes a surprising option here, the game isn’t really designed for it and co-op doesn’t seem all that different from the main game (from what I’ve actually played of it) but it’s still a welcome break from playing on your own.

Likewise, the scoreboard isn’t really designed for this type of game, it requires a quick run-through of the level rather than being able to simply find everything.

Hot for Lava?
It’s true that Pixeljunk Shooter could be improved. Multiplayer modes, more scoreboard options and, most importantly, more levels would really be welcome. But the sum of the parts already here more than make up for what could have been. At under £7 it’s still a great game and one well worth owning.

8/10
There have been no replies to this thread yet.
Fri 08/01/10 at 15:29
Moderator
"possibly impossible"
Posts: 24,985
Hot on the heels of another Playstation Network retro shooter, Gravity Crash, comes Pixeljunk’s answer to the 80’s classic Thrust. But although this looks like it could be similar to Gravity Crash, it actually has far more depth.

Retro Revival
Shooter still has it’s feet dug firmly in the 80’s home computer game ground though and it revels in the old style of gameplay and graphics while giving them both a new lease of life on an HD console in the way only Pixeljunk games know how to.

From the lovely little intro to the level selection screen the game oozes class and charm in equal measure, it never goes overboard in being too modern or going retro for retro’s sake.

Manic Miners
The order of the day is to rescue a bunch of stranded miners on a far away planet after they find something while digging. What this translates into is diving into a series of tight tunnels with all sorts of obstacles and looking out for trapped miners while shooting the creatures that try to get in your way.

Lovin’ the Lava
All well and good, but then add in a neat system of lava and water, one cooling the other to allow you to pass, then gas and ice which have different effects again. With the elements stacked against you this soon becomes less of a game about shooting and more an exploration and puzzle solving one.

Flying through early levels might have you believe this game will be short lived, but trust me when I say the puzzles soon get a lot harder, with tighter caverns and more element puzzles to work out. At times I felt like giving up but the balance is just tipped in favour of giving it that one more try.

Elemental Beats
Another element in Shooter’s favour is the nice little soundtrack that hums away in the background as you play. Made especially for the game by High Frequency Bandwidth is beautifully in tune with the retro-modern feel of the game. Sound effects are standard fare but the music really makes this something worth turning the sound up for.

Two Shooter
Co-op is another feature that makes a surprising option here, the game isn’t really designed for it and co-op doesn’t seem all that different from the main game (from what I’ve actually played of it) but it’s still a welcome break from playing on your own.

Likewise, the scoreboard isn’t really designed for this type of game, it requires a quick run-through of the level rather than being able to simply find everything.

Hot for Lava?
It’s true that Pixeljunk Shooter could be improved. Multiplayer modes, more scoreboard options and, most importantly, more levels would really be welcome. But the sum of the parts already here more than make up for what could have been. At under £7 it’s still a great game and one well worth owning.

8/10

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