Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2 is now out on XBOX Live Arcade. Games like GWRE2 are the reason I play games.

(Giant screenshots behind hide tags.)

GWRE2 is a big leap forward from the original Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved. This new version includes six very different game modes that require very different styles of play. The graphics look even more polished than the original, and it's absolutely gorgeous on a 1080p display. All six game modes have their own electronic music tracks that are specifically intended to merge well with their game mode. Additionally, the game includes new enemies and different scoring mechanics than the original, and achievements that will have you doing some crazy things to unlock them.


In this version they have brought back the multiplier-incrementing "geoms" that were featured in Geometry Wars Galaxies. All enemies now drop one or more geoms, which you can pick up to increase the score multiplier. There are new enemies, the most common being orange "rockets" that zoom back and forth between two edges of the screen, and often appear in rows. The game also features the "friends leaderboard" for each mode, which lets you see how you rank against your friends at a glance. You can even set the high score display to show the highest score among your friends.

This iteration also features 4-player local multiplayer. You can play each game mode either cooperatively or competitively. I haven't gotten a chance to try this out yet, but it looks rad.

The game is so well polished that the first couple of times I played I pretty much couldn't help thinking, "Holy crap, that was awesome!" The music really sets this game apart, and other games really ought to pay attention to how it was used in this game. A few examples:

In Deadline mode, the three minute time limit is accompanied by a three minute track, which helps you determine how much time you have left, and builds up to a dramatic ending right as the timer runs out. In King mode, different parts of the track fade in and out as you enter and exit safe zones. In Sequence mode, the music track evolves with each stage, and stage transitions are accompanied by a buildup, similar to Rez.

Allow me to introducte the game modes:

Deadline


In Deadline mode, you have an unlimited number of lives, but a three minute time limit. It is the only mode that is initially unlocked, and seems to be there to get players acclimated with the game and its enemies. Unlimited lives does not make this mode easy -- each death results in a 5+ second penalty and the number of enemies takes a nosedive for awhile, hurting your chances of earning points.

King


In King mode, circular safe zones that enemies cannot enter appear in random places in the arena. You can only fire from safe zones, but they expire shortly after you enter them, so you have to plan your route around the arena in advance and make sure your path is clear before proceeding to the next safe zone. It turns brutal when the snake enemies start to appear and wrap themselves around a safe zone before you can get out. You get just one life, and no bombs.

Evolved


Evolved mode brings back the gameplay of the original Geometry Wars. You get a limited number of lives and bombs and must rack up as many points as possible before you meet your inevitable end.

Pacifism


In Pacifism mode, you cannot fire or bomb at all. Instead, you destroy nearby enemies by passing through gates, causing them to explode. The number of enemies quickly ramps up, but they aren't your only problem -- the edges of the gates are also deadly, and they sometimes move rather erratically. Like King mode, one mistake and it's over.

Waves


In Waves mode, rows of the orange "rocket" enemies appear at the edges of the screen and sweep left to right or top to bottom. The goal is to carve "holes" in the ranks so that a wave can pass your ship safely. Eventually, other enemies start appearing, and the rocket enemies appear faster and faster. Once again, you only get one life.

Sequence


In Sequence mode, there are 20 stages that you go through in order. Each stage has a predetermined set of enemies that appear, and you pass a stage by defeating them all. You get a limited number of lives and bombs, and only 30 seconds on each stage, but if you die, you move on to the next stage. Completing Sequence mode is very difficult, and I haven't managed it yet, though I've gotten close.

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This is a great game, and if you have an XBOX Live account and ten bucks lying around, this is a wonderful title to spend it on.

Want to compare scores? My XBL GamerTag is ReactionCat.

I hope someone will port this to PC like they did with the original....

If there's one game that really makes me want to buy a 360, it's geometry wars. That's the only next gen exclusive-360 game I envy, as a PS3er. This version looks equally kick ass.

Doesn't look as feature-rich as Geometry Wars: Galaxies, but it usurps it in a few ways. Wish it would come to Wii/PC, as I am an avid GeoWars fan. I would sooooo rape pacifism mode as I already have tried to stay alive without shooting countless times in the original.

Doesn't look as feature-rich as Geometry Wars: Galaxies

GW:G was filler crap. It was a half-assed attempt to cash in before the next decent game came out.

I think playing this game on a huge widescreen hdtv could make you reach climax.


JUST LOOK AT THOSE COLORS I CAN BARELY IMAGINE IT IN 1080p

I never got far enough into the first Geometry Wars on XBLA to appreciate anything but the shiny pretty colours. $15 to see this on my 1080P widescreen TV will be worth it if only because my head will explode.