Aegis Wing Review

Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios
Creator: Carbonated Games
Genre: Action
Platform: Xbox 360 (XBLA)
Release date: 2007-04-16

Gameplay 21/25
Fun 24/25
Sound 17/25
Graphics 12/25
Total 74/100

Review

There was a time where a quarter could buy a time of desire. The joystick and a couple of buttons were all that was needed for a day of pleasure. As with all things changed a once common reality changed into a dream of the past. Aegis Wing is in some aspect is that. In the Japanese population make a side scrolling shoot that test your every reflex kind of way it is. It is a kick in face of remembrance of what side shooters were with each death. This is something that will come often since it falls in the bullet hell sub-genre of side shooters. Now for those that are a bit adrift on what that means, it’s about the same as it raining lasers. The raining lasers bit add to the idea that you are a lone pilot taking on an Alien armada to restore the planet. In your path you will be avoiding lasers, asteroids, and kamikaze ships out to get you.

Now this fallows along the same idea as Megas XLR in the fact this is Americans doing something they love that is a bit Japanese and adding there own spin on it. The game does fallow same style as bullet hell in that it is tough as hell to get threw since you are getting fired on by things that are increasing in number as well as weapons as you progress threw the game. Some might be going I am not going threw a game that has more bullets flying at me then I can shoot at them. Do not fret since this is American made in Texas no doubt you are not without aid.

In the same passing to games old as the dodging killing rain, it includes power ups to take down the dastardly foes with deadly force. Each weapon has its own strengths and weakness in using. The EMP Pulse disables the rain of lasers coming forth on you and the ships that are around, but the deal is it only shuts the ships down. You still need to shot the ships, so you can get lost in battle forget it is there and crash into it. The Reflecting Shield bounces the lasers back at them in the direction you are traveling, but if you don’t pay attention to the shield you get killed in the cross fire. Even the Giga Blaster is with faults even though whatever it shoots threw anything but is limited to a single line. Clearing one line may doom you by another.

Each bit is ever increasing in difficulty with a new enemy added to the mix every couple of levels. The bosses do get more and more difficult, even though killing them does not. Each boss has the X marks the spot to destroying it that is as plain as day, which makes killing them not so hard. The problem with them is like the small guys you fight to get there. Each stage has something new either in the number of incoming damage you have to avoid or just something else to look out for. Having to avoid nine rows of bullets you know will be there just to get blasted by the enemies Giga Blaster ship just because you didn’t notice it, which usually lead to swearing unleashing your hatred for the game blind siding you. The amount of times shouting fuck, shit, you mother fucker, and est. your voice will either become horse or wish you knew more cuss words out of the boredom of repeating the same words over and over again.

Now if this game wasn’t free I would say buy it for the seer challenge of it. Each little bit for either an accomplishment of beating the level or the achievements will be a joy. A good example as to why the achievements are tough is each must be done through a level of difficulty and not levels you beat. So something like beating the level of difficulty without dieing will be as aggravating as a hippie with a banjo for the amount of cussing caused by this free download. The kick in the bucket for someone is you have to have an internet connection to connect to Xbox Live with an account wither it be silver or gold. Which to some, they may just be cussing the same amount as they would playing the game just because they lack that one connection. Though that does mean those with Gold instead of silver get something extra, multiplayer which means not only do you have extra help but you have extra moves to play the game with a friend. Something that Silver account users may be kicking themselves for simply because the game is more kick ass. With a second controller and the ability to smack your friend over the head when he fucks up, does make up for that fact.

Conclusion

The game in a nut shell is side scrolling bullet hell fun, and yes I know this review has some spacers just to fill the length minimum that aren’t needed. This is one of those few games where it can be summed up easily. It’s challenging but hell all in the bullet hell games are. The whole challenge makes is so much more fun, which make a challenging game to review or play simply for that. Just playing for desire of fun is why it is such a good game to get, and you know what it’s free as well.

Pros

* Feels like an arcade shooter
* Challenge that requires fast finger at the joystick

Cons

* Bullet hell
* Tough to see where everything is