My good friend Leroy loves the Geometry Wars games.  In fact, I think he told me one time that Geometry Wars was one of the main reasons why he bought an Xbox 360!  And he’s really good at it, too!  I bet he could beat anyone one of you reading this at that game.  Or at least hold his own for a long time.  Anyway, because he likes the games so much, I thought he’d be perfect to review the new Geometry Wars 3: Dimensions game.  It’s available for 360, Xbox One, PC, PS3, and PS4, but reviewed on 360 here.

Wow, I didn’t think this day would come. I actually purchased an Xbox 360 in 2007 in large part due to Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved, having played the original mini-game version on Project Gotham Racing 2 extensively. And to this day, I still believe that Geometry Wars 2 is the best game to come out of the seventh console generation. Unfortunately, Bizarre Creations closed shop a couple of years after GW2 and left the IP in the hands of Activision.

Activision brought back the long-defunct Sierra label earlier this year to start their own in-house indie initiative. One of the first things announced under the label was Geometry Wars 3: Dimensions, to be developed by several ex-Bizarre staff now at Lucid Games. While that sounds great, original developers and all, the truth is that Geometry Wars was almost a one-man project, and that man (Stephen Cakebread) is not at Lucid. Nor did they reach out to the one other important Geometry Wars veteran, Chris Chudley (who composed the music for the previous games).

So Geometry Wars is back, but the two people important to the series aren’t there. How does it hold up?

Remarkably well, actually. Geometry Wars 3 is an extremely safe sequel. It is simply Geometry Wars 2 with new graphics and an “Adventure Mode;” a selection of fifty preset levels each playing under a variety of rule sets, most from GW2 with some new. If you played Geometry Wars: Galaxies, it’s basically that but with GW2 gameplay instead of GW1 gameplay.

Of course, the first thing many will notice is the change in graphics. The ultra-clean neon vector look is gone, supplanted with something looking just a little more modern. It still looks like Geometry Wars, as there is only so much you can do with basic shapes, but the move away from bold primary colors on top of a black and green grid causes just enough visual noise to create an occasional distraction in the chaos. The camera also tilts obnoxiously on flat levels, which really does nothing but make it hard to focus.

The music is great though. I’m still personally missing out on Chris Chudley, but his replacement managed to mimic the type of hard, catchy electronic music that a game like this needs to keep your blood pumping. There are also a few touches of the original soundtracks here and there (most noticeable in Evolved mode).

Five of the six modes from Geometry Wars 2 are also included in the package, recreated exactly or near-exactly with the new graphics. Since this is the first appearance of the series on three new platforms (and PC never got GW2), it’s great to have these preserved for new players. Unfortunately Sequence didn’t make the cut, likely to not compete with the new Adventure Mode and the original multiplayer modes are not available.

The main attraction for Geometry Wars 3: Dimension is Adventure Mode. There are fifty preset levels (with room on the map for more, possibly as upcoming DLC). Each has its own rules. Most of these are from GW2 modes, such as Deadline (time limit) or Evolved (one life). But there are several new modes as well, which include Titan (first seen on GW2 for iOS, with giant enemies), Sniper (limited ammo) and Checkpoint (a time limit where each destroyed wave of enemies grants you extra time). There are also a variety of level shapes, including 3D levels which rotate instead of being flat, and boss levels. Each level has a score to beat to move on to the next level, with additional scores set to earn extra “stars,” which can be used to earn and upgrade drones (little follower ships that perform various tasks) and super moves (extra single use weapons). There’s a great deal of variety in the Adventure Mode and since each level has its own leaderboard, there’s plenty of replay value for players looking to complete (the map even marks levels where you score has been beat since the last time you played).

The game is rounded out with a Local Co-Op Mode, with ten Adventure Mode levels for two to four players, an online mode with a couple of basic modes and a Bonus Level section which seems to be for DLC levels.

Geometry Wars 3: Dimensions is a good game to bring the series back after a six year absence. It doesn’t reinvent the game like GW2 did to GW1, but it adds a lot to an already awesome game. It doesn’t replace Geometry Wars 2, but it supplements it. Fans of the twin-stick shooter will definitely find a great game here and gamers that skipped it previously (or that never owned an Xbox 360) owe it to themselves to play the newest entry of the best series in the genre.

Kid Factor:

There is no objectionable content to be concerned with for kids, it is simply basic shapes shooting other basic shapes, after all.  Geometry Wars 3: Dimensions is rated E for Everyone.  –Leroy Capasso

Tags: Reader Reviews!