Space Invaders a long running franchise that dates back to the glory days of arcade machines and quarters has released a new title Space Invaders Forever. Released on December 11th, 2020 and is a 3-1 collection of Space Invaders titles the three being
– Space Invaders Extreme
– Space Invaders 4 SE
– Arkanoid vs. Space Invaders
All of these titles come to you looking much better than the original releases with improved HG graphics, and more immersive audio. I had a good time playing Extreme and got through almost all the levels. The levels for Space Invaders Extreme maxes out at 16 stages but does have some more difficult ones, and the boss fights were very enjoyable.
Space Invaders 4 SE is a fun party game with up to four player couch co-op and was fun with others. I attempted the game solo a few times but never really found that to be the games strong suit, it is very much meant to be played with others due to the level designs and speed at which you travel. Not saying it is impossible just not my cup of tea for a solo experience. Finally we have Arkanoid vs. Space Invaders.
This last one is a mobile game and plays very much like a mobile game requiring you to play on your switch in vertical way. I found this to be my least favorite game of the bundle, and it wasn’t completely the games fault but more of the phone playstyle it forces you into. I would have much preferred to play this with a controller but you have to use the touch screen on the switch to control yourself which I found underwhelming. The game itself plays fine and the game looked great being played on the switch’s screen I just didn’t enjoy using my switch like an iPhone.
Gameplay:
Space Invaders Extreme 6/10
Space Invaders Gigamax 4SE 5/10
Arkanoid vs. Space Invaders 2/10
I had my best time playing Extreme mainly because the way the game itself plays a more fast passed version of an iconic arcade game it was fun and enjoyable. Gigamax is another good time but is a lot more of a multiplayer title, and finally Arkanoid vs Space Invaders is a mobile game that I think is played better on a phone compared to a switch
Sound Design: 10/10 all of these had a greatly improved sound design compared to their original counter parts.
Graphics: 10/10 much like the sound the games all had improvements done to them to make them look and sound much better than the originals.
Control: 10/10 Space Invaders Extreme & Space Invaders Gigamax 4SE – the game was very responsive to controller inputs and didn’t feel like and pronounced dead zone on the joy stick hurt the experience. While Gigamax does have the issue that you move to slow that doesn’t mean the controls didn’t work much like Extreme it was very responsive.
2/10 Arkanoid vs. Space Invaders – I personally don’t find touch screen controls the same for games like this. To me it takes away the novelty of trying to control you’re paddle ship with a joystick or even a track ball. Using a touch screen feels very unresponsive at time and I think this title should remain on mobile devices.
VERDICT
10/10 Space Invaders Extreme & Space Invaders Gigamax
2/10 Arkanoid vs Space Invaders
While all of them are remaster for the Nintendo Switch only 2 of them came out feeling better. Sound wise and graphically both Extreme and Gigamax are much better than the original copies of the game, they felt very responsive and I had a good time playing both of these. Arkanoid vs Space Invaders however it may have been optimized for the Switches screen is very minimal compared to the others, and touch controls shouldn’t be the only option to play the game.
FrankenCulture 