Geometry Wars: Galaxies (Wii)

Regardless, the game itself is an excellent experience. This is the type of game where you sit down for a quick half hour blast, then look up at the clock and find you've just lost half a day - and you're shaking slightly. So you turn it off, walk away and do those useful things in your life that you're meant to do. I hear work is one of them, eating perhaps might be a good idea?

Give it a few hours, and something doesn't feel right.  The depression starts to come over you, you're a little more moody to your friends and co-workers, jokes don't seem as funny and you can't shake this nagging feeling that you need something. Need a fix, a quick jolt to get you going again. That's your adrenaline gland, and what it's saying to you is:

"GO AND PLAY GEOMETRY WARS: GALAXIES, NOW!!!"

And I'm not kidding. I sincerely hope they haven't sent a copy of this game for The Times to review or gaming as we know it might never be the same again.

So what's the game about?   Seems a little ludicrous considering how simple the hypothesis of the game is. You over look your space ship in a two dimensional field, controlling it with the analogue stick of the Nunchuk or Classic Controller and aiming and firing with the Wiimote or the other analogue stick of Classic Controller. Moving about in a restricted part of space, your aim is to survive and score as high as possible by shooting incoming objects (it's hard to call them enemies really) and collecting the bits they leave behind to rack up your score and the all important multiplier. That last part is important because the real trick to this game is getting the multiplier maxed and then staying alive long enough to hit the gold medal score objective. Yes there are medals, after you die (because you will die, trust me on that) you get even more points for reaching a new medal goal. It's an arcade classic, make no mistake about it.

The points you gain can be spent on unlocking new galaxies and worlds to play on as well as buying new drones. Before you start each level you can choose the type of drone to use, each one doing it's own particular trick and some being more suited to certain levels than others. Personally I'm a big fan of the turret option, but then shooting things always makes me feel better.

And that's it, really. It's that simple! There's no story line to get in the way, no cut scenes; you just get into it and try to survive in the best arcade tradition. There is a two player option, options to link up to the DS (with or with out a copy of Geometry Wars in it) and even an option to play a cut down to the bone version of Geometry Wars, which possibly provides even more of an adrenaline thrill.  I should also mention the sound track; a fast paced, pumping, techno affair that suits the mood of the game perfectly.

Aside from it's simplicity and raw addictive appeal for those of us that like that kind of adrenaline buzz, the real beauty of this game is the difficulty curve. It really is extremely well crafted, with each medal being the kind of goal that gives you the aforementioned 'Just one more go' sense. The game doesn't feel too far ahead of you at any stage, always lingering within reach of a tiny bit more effort.  Although the formula for the game is simple, each level presents you with a different challenge and a different way to play. It doesn't get repetitive as some arcade games do, but rather demands you keep playing till your eyes are bleeding and your head throbbing in pain.

Geometry Wars isn't for every one, that's for sure. But for those that it does appeal to, it's a Class A narcotic ... like gaming crack, perhaps. (Pass some to the Times, they seem interested - Ed)

Mat Owen 4/5