Geometry Wars: Galaxies
| Company type | Video game |
|---|---|
| Industry | Video games |
| Predecessor | Geometry Wars |
| Founded | 2007 |
| Founder | Bizarre Creations, Kuju Entertainment |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom |
| Products | Video game |
| Owner | Vivendi Games |
Geometry Wars: Galaxies is a multidirectional shooter developed collaboratively by Bizarre Creations and Kuju Entertainment, and released by Vivendi Games for the Wii and Nintendo DS in 2007. Marking the first Geometry Wars installment available on platforms outside of Microsoft, it serves as a spin-off from Geometry Wars, which originally debuted as a bonus game within Project Gotham Racing 2 on Xbox. This edition includes a single-player campaign, various multiplayer modes, the incorporation of Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved from Xbox Live Arcade, and features online leaderboards. The Wii version supports widescreen display along with 480p progressive scan.
The soundtrack, composed by Chris Chudley of Audioantics, encompasses the entire Geometry Wars series.
Gameplay
In Geometry Wars: Galaxies, players strive to survive increasingly difficult enemy waves while maximizing their scores within confined two-dimensional arenas. The player pilots a claw-shaped craft that can move and shoot independently, utilizing the distinctive motion controls of the Wii and DS systems. Players have access to a limited number of screen-clearing bombs for emergency situations.
On the Wii, aiming and firing are controlled via the Wii Remote pointer, while movement and bomb deployment are managed through the Nunchuk’s analog stick and buttons. An alternative Classic Controller configuration offers traditional twin-stick gameplay, assigning bombs to shoulder buttons. For the DS, players may use the directional pad, face buttons, or touchscreen for navigation and targeting, with bombs activated using shoulder buttons.
Galaxies introduces fresh enemy types, expanded multiplayer options, modifications to the scoring mechanics, and refined control schemes.
Galaxies mode
The primary mode, Galaxies, comprises ten solar systems containing planets that provide diverse challenges and gameplay variations. It features all enemy types from Retro Evolved, alongside new adversaries exhibiting varied behaviors.
Planets range from classic Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved style levels to those incorporating moving obstacles, narrow corridors, and enemy carriers that fragment into smaller units. Most planets start players with three lives and bombs; however, some restrict these resources and disallow earning additional ones. Each planet establishes Bronze, Silver, and Gold score thresholds that reward bonus Geoms upon first achievement.
Enemies release yellow objects called Geoms in denominations of 10, 25, 50, and 100. Collecting Geoms raises the score multiplier up to a maximum of 150 and grants extra lives and bombs except on restricted levels. Accumulated Geoms contribute toward unlocking new drone behaviors, galaxies, and planets after each game session.
Players are accompanied by an automated drone with eight selectable behaviors such as "Attack," "Defend," "Collect," and "Bait." Custom behaviors require unlocking via Geoms and improve through use by enhancing attributes like speed, power, or accuracy.
High scores are recorded individually for each planet, galaxy, and overall progress. Scores can be uploaded to a worldwide online leaderboard through Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection.
Other modes
Galaxies features several multiplayer modes: Cooperative mode allows two players to share score, multiplier, bombs, and lives; Simultaneous mode pits players against each other with separate scores and lives but competitive scoring. The DS version includes a Versus mode where one participant controls the ship while the other generates enemies. Drones are disabled in multiplayer play; when players move apart on screen, the camera zooms out accordingly.
Wireless connectivity between Nintendo DS and Wii versions unlocks an additional Galaxy on both platforms. Both versions support Download Play functionality to transfer Galaxies to a Nintendo DS system. Additionally, they include Retro Evolved, replicating the Xbox Live Arcade experience (excluding Achievements or Retro mode), along with an online leaderboard feature.
History
Geometry Wars: Galaxies was revealed in the July 2007 edition of Nintendo Power. Created by Kuju Entertainment, it debuted in North America in November 2007. The game was subsequently released in Europe for both Wii and DS on January 18, 2008, and later reached the Australian market on February 7, 2008.
Reception
On Metacritic, Geometry Wars: Galaxies earned generally positive feedback for both platforms. Alex Navarro from GameSpot praised the consistent gameplay, level design, and multiplayer features across versions, while pointing out that the DS edition's inferior graphics and performance resulted in a lower rating. Mark Bozon of IGN lauded the gameplay mechanics, extensive content, and visual presentation on both systems but noted limitations in the DS version, such as the absence of analog controls and occasional framerate issues during intense sequences. He suggested that playing the Wii version with the Classic Controller offers the best overall experience of Galaxies.