A.R.E.S. Extinction Agenda EX (360)
Play as one of two hyper advanced battle robots in this run and gun 2-D shooter/platformer. Originally a big hit on the PC, now it’s available for download on Xbox 360 with added features and enhancements!
In the game, you play as one of two robots who must infiltrate a space station that has been taken over by evil aliens bent on eradicating the human race in the future. Gameplay is typical run and gun shooter fare. You can dash, double jump, slide under narrow spaces, use special weapons, and more. As you play, you’ll earn chips that will give you new abilities and weapons. Collect little diamond objects dropped by defeated enemies to power your special skills.
The two robots you can play as include ARES and Taurus. I didn’t really notice too much difference when playing as each one, aside from the story being changed slightly and Taurus’ shots are slower and don’t go as far as ARES’, but they are more powerful. Play control is mostly good and intuitive. I liked how you can use the right stick to aim your shots, although it does make it difficult to jump when you do that. I would’ve liked it better if the ‘bots were a little lighter on their feet, as they tromp around like they ate lead bricks for lunch. But at least you get the feeling that you’re controlling two heavily armed robots!
The two robots get hints and tips as you play from a cute, pink haired anime lady named Valkyl, although there was one door switch I had no idea how to activate and she wouldn’t give a single clue how to operate it. That’s really the only other problem I had with the game. If you enjoy basic, 2-D platforming run and gun shooters like Contra or Mega Man X, you might want to check this one out, too.
Kid Factor:
A.R.E.S. Extinction Agenda EX is rated E-10 with ESRB descriptors of Fantasy Violence and Mild Language. While you do shoot and blast anything that moves, the only things you fire upon are alien robots that explode when defeated. I didn’t really notice any bad language in the text, so it must be used sparingly. I’m surprised the pink haired helper lady wearing the skin tight outfit didn’t earn an ESRB descriptor of Mild Suggestive Themes, but it’s really not that bad. Reading skill is required for all the text, and younger players may get frustrated at the difficulty, even on the ‘casual’ setting.
October 17th, 2013 at 1:51 am
I liked this game when I played it on Steam a couple of years ago.
I actually did all of the achievements even, one of them was pretty hard!