I have to admit, I suck at Geometry Wars 3: Dimensions. In fact I’ve sucked at every Geometry Wars game that I’ve played, but yet unlike other games that I suck at, with Geometry Wars I never give up and I always want one more go. That’s been the beauty of these games over the years, because beneath the bright neon colours, the gameplay has always been immensely addictive. Granted this Geometry Wars feels a little different, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing at all.
However to take a pun from the second game in the series, Geometry Wars 3 has “evolved” in more ways than one. Having the kind of financial backing and experience of Activision behind the project, this new instalment is perhaps why Geometry Wars 3 is no longer an Xbox exclusive, instead it is now available for the PC, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PS3, and PS4. As the last two were on the Xbox systems it feels a little odd seeing this game on a rival format, which by no means is a bad thing, because a game like this deserves to be played by as many people as possible. Though being the traditionalist that I am, I had to review this game on the Xbox One.
I know this game perhaps has not been as well received as the original instalments, but for me while its had a lot of its elements and features changed, I believe it’s for the good of the series and if the game was going to remain the same as the originals, they’d be no point in playing this if you wanted the exact same experience as before. While a large portion of the games stages are no longer on a flat surface (though a lot still are thankfully), the game now has 3D like stages, some of which are in the shape of a sphere or cylinder and many also have moving obstacles to aid the difficulty, its core element still remains the same and that is the strong need for “one more go”.
As always the game will frustrate the hell out of you, especially when someone walks in front the TV screen, sparking some epic gamer rage. Geometry Wars 3, like other games in the series will have you transfixed with its combination of bright colours, moving objects and trance like music. With the changes that Geometry Wars 3 has had, its gameplay is as addictive as it always ever was. And it’s not even so much you having an urge to beat a friend’s score that pops up every time you start a game; it’s that desire to beat your own scores too, when “one more go” turns into “I could do better”.
When playing the Adventure mode (which is the equivalent of the campaign), you will select your level to take on. Upon starting each stage, you will have yours and your friends score on display, before selecting from a number of power-ups that will assist you during that level. You can not only select the power-up of your choice, but you can even upgrade them to. But to broaden your options and acquire many of the upgrades, you’ll have to accumulate a certain amount of points to purchase them first (essentially the games XP system).
As you progress during the campaign you will naturally unlock the next level after beating the previous level. You may not be able to select the next level right away, as you must have the necessary stars to unlock the later stages. Each level has a three star rating, the amount of stars that you are rewarded with, will all depend on the score achieved. The more stars you earn, the more levels you unlock. Also in true old school fashion, as you reach the end of a section of levels, you will then be able to take on an end of level boss. To achieve the best score possible, you will have to successfully combine score-streaks and multipliers as much as possible. Simply shooting the enemies and surviving will not always do.
As you might expect with Geometry Wars 3, it’s a bright neon filled explosion of colour, it’s certainly one of the keys aspects that helps to keep you entranced with this game. I honestly think that if this game had a different colour palette, it wouldn’t be quite as immersive, as odd as that may sound. Along with the visuals, the two other key ingredients that immerse you into Geometry Wars 3 is the additive gameplay and its trance-like music. Speaking of which, not only does adrenaline fuelled music help keep you pumped, the more subtle SFX also have their part to play.
It’s quite had to explain how addictive (there’s that word again) hearing the sound of an exploding neon triangle can be. I suppose it’s kind of like squeezing some bubble wrap, it’s not only the feel of that texture (the equivalent to Geometry War 3’s gameplay) that keeps you playing, it’s that therapeutic “pop” that keeps you oddly entertained. Geometry Wars 3 may not be a AAA title, but there are not many games that makes the most out of the visuals, gameplay and sound design quite as well.
Other than having the overwhelming desire to beat yours and your friend’s scores, Geometry Wars 3 has more replay value than any of the games in the series. For example other then the adventure mode, we also have the classic mode that features of number of set stipulations. Such as scoring a high score as possible before the time runs out, surviving with no weapons or with only one life and more. You also have bonus levels that are unlocked as you progress through the adventure mode, also each with their own stipulations and challenges. In this day and age of online gaming, very few games tend to offer good old fashioned local multiplayer. Well if you’re a fan of challenging friends or teaming up for some co-op from the comfort of your own sofa, then you’ll be pleased to know that Geometry Wars 3 features both local and online multiplayer.
Geometry Wars 3 may have become a multiformat game and has had some welcomed tweaks here and there, but it’s still managed to maintain what made the series so popular to begin with, while moving it forward enough to make it feel fresh. You don’t even have to be good at Geometry Wars 3 to enjoy it, as I’ve found from my own experience. Sure you will have that irresistible urge to beat a friend’s score, but it’s also about topping your own. In fact I don’t think I’ve been quite as addicted to a download only title such as this since the awesome Pac-Man Championship Edition DX, even my wife likes a dose of Geometry Wars 3 and she’s not even considered a gamer.
You may think of Geometry Wars 3 as a quick pick up and play game, to play inbetween games. But that would be a mistake to underestimate this title in such a way, because this is one of the most fun and addictive games that you will download this year. Seconds will turn into minutes, and minutes could very easily turn into hours. While there are many superb downloadable games out there, I’d struggle to think of a better way to spend £12 of your hard earned cash then Geometry Wars 3: Dimensions.