Geometry Wars

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Geometry Wars
Developer(s)	Bizarre Creations
Publisher(s)	Microsoft Game Studios
Distributor(s)	Microsoft Game Studios (Retail) Microsoft Game Studios/Valve Corporation (Steam)
Designer(s)	Stephen "Cakey" Cakebread
Platform(s)	Xbox, Xbox 360, Windows Vista, Windows XP
Release date	Xbox: November 17, 2003 Xbox 360: November 21, 2005 Windows Vista: March 7, 2007 Windows XP: June 18, 2007
Genre(s)	Multi-directional shooter
Mode(s)	Single player
Rating(s)	ESRB: E OFLC: G
Media	Download
System requirements	Minimum: Windows XP, 1 GHz 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) CPU, 512MB RAM, DirectX 9.0c, DirectX Video Card (128MB memory - Shader Model 2.0 support required), DirectSound-compatible sound card, 150MB free HD space, WEI Rating: 4.0 (3.0 required)
Input methods	Analog stick, Mouse

Geometry Wars is a minigame created by Bizarre Creations as part of Project Gotham Racing 2 for the Xbox, accessible through the in-game garage. An updated version of the game, Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved, is available for download on the Xbox 360 via Xbox Live Arcade. It can also be played in demo form in Project Gotham Racing 3. It previously held the record for most-downloaded Xbox Live Arcade game.^[1] A new version, Geometry Wars: Evolved, has been produced for mobile phones,^[2] and a version has also been released for Windows Vista, as well as a reduced-price Windows XP release on the Steam content delivery network. Another version named Geometry Wars: Waves is available to play in Project Gotham Racing 4. The latest version, Geometry Wars: Galaxies was released for the Nintendo DS and Wii in November 2007.

1 Gameplay
2 PC version
3 Mobile
4 Sequel
5 Geometry Wars: Galaxies
6 See also
7 References
8 External links

[edit] Gameplay

The object of Geometry Wars is to survive as long as possible and score as many points as possible by destroying a constant, ever-increasing swarm of enemies. The game takes place on a rectangular playfield and the player controls a claw-shaped "ship" that can move in any direction using the left thumbstick, and can fire in any direction independently using the right thumbstick. The player also has a limited number of bombs that can be detonated and destroy all enemies on the playfield. As the game progresses, the player can earn extra lives and additional bombs at set score increments, and the primary weapon changes at regular intervals. Also, enemies spawn in progressively larger quantities and at greater frequency as the game progresses. If an enemy touches the player's ship, the ship explodes and a life is lost. The game is over when the player runs out of lives.

The Evolved version of the game takes place on a playfield that is slightly larger than the display area of the TV screen, and the camera follows the player's movements. A background grid pattern adds to the graphical effects by warping in reaction to player shots and the behavior of certain enemies. This version of the game also introduces a score multiplier that increases to higher levels as the player survives and destroys enemies.

Enemies in the original versions of Geometry Wars include:

Light blue diamonds, which move slowly toward the player.
Magenta boxes, which move more quickly. When hit, this enemy splits into two smaller boxes that swirl around in circles while moving toward the player.
Green boxes, which also move quickly. They attempt to avoid the player's shots.
Red circles, which move very slowly. When hit, they become powerful gravity wells that attempt to suck in other enemies and the player, while also repelling the player's shots. Each time an enemy is sucked in, the circles grow in diameter. If allowed to grow large enough, they explode and send a swarm of smaller blue circles toward the player. A player can reduce the size of the red circles by shooting into it, thus enabling several of them to be sustained indefinitely. Upon destruction of the red circle the player receives points for all the enemies sucked in by it.

Enemies in the Retro Evolved version include the above enemies, plus:

Purple pinwheels, which move slowly and in seemingly random directions, serving more as obstacles to the player rather than as direct threats.
White snakes, which appear either in the corners of the screen or in a circle around the player and "wiggle" their way toward the player. Can only be destroyed by shooting the head.
Aphids, small dark blue triangles, which appear in huge swarms and attempt to overwhelm the player with their sheer quantity.
Red claws, which take aim and charge toward the player, emitting a shot-repelling force field in front of them.

Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved also features enhanced HD graphics, including 3D effects, and an improved user interface.

[edit] PC version

Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved is also available for PC, via the popular Steam download client (for Windows XP and Windows Vista) and MSN games (for Windows Vista only). The PC version of the game claims to be a pixel perfect recreation of the Xbox Live Arcade version.

[edit] Mobile

Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved Mobile, a version for mobile phones, is also available for download. The player can use several combinations of the directional buttons and the number pad to control the ship and fire at enemies. This version includes several challenge modes, with set goals the player must achieve.

[edit] Sequel

On April 3, 2008 a rating for Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2 appeared on the Australian Office of Film and Literature Classification website.^[3]

[edit] Geometry Wars: Galaxies

Main article: Geometry Wars: Galaxies

In November 2007, Kuju Entertainment and Sierra Entertainment released an updated version of the game titled Geometry Wars: Galaxies for the Nintendo DS and Wii.^[4] This version introduces a single-player campaign and multiplayer gameplay.