From Galaga to Centipede, the core mechanics of the original Space Invaders had been iterated and improved upon so often that it’s a wonder that this new “Extreme†sequel feels so fresh. Taito’s epochal arcade smash virtually invented the top-down shooter genre, but aside from a few minor retreads, it has remained dormant for decades. Well, chalk it up to the success of that wonderful Pac-Man reboot or the imminent thirtieth anniversary of the original, but Space Invaders Extreme is simultaneously a joyous celebration of the SI legacy and a fresh take on old-school blasting.
Everyone knows Space Invaders: one turret, four shields, and fifty-five alien ships whose only strategy is to “increase speed, drop down, and reverse direction†(thanks, Futurama!). Well, this “extreme†version adheres closely to the feel of the original but has abandoned the defensive structures and tight formations of the original. Shields are apparently obsolete in this day and age, so Taito saw fit to arm your turret with several new power-ups, including screen-filling lasers, bombs, and a broad shot. The alien armada also kept busy during the cease fire. Gone are the days of “trembling in terror†at their three kinds of ships. Expect to fight an updated panoply of powerful foes, including suicide bombers, teleporters, bouncers, and shielded enemies that can reflect your shots back at you.
These odds don’t seem fair…perhaps the upcoming Space Invaders Get Even is a bit redundant.
