PS3 Fanboy review: Super Stardust HD
There have been many dual-analog space shooters in the past. Geometry Wars popularized the genre on Xbox, and Sony attempted a similar effort with Blast Factor. What makes the newly released Super Stardust HD so much better than its genre predecessors? It's easy to see, literally. Super Stardust HD looks eons better than any of its competitors. But, not only does it feature good looks ... it features easy-to-understand gameplay and a great deal of subtle complexity that will appeal to casual and hardcore gamers alike.
The basic concept of the game is simple. You control a spaceship with an infinite supply of destructive capabilities. The left analog stick controls movement of the ship, while the right analog stick controls the direction of your weapon. Using swift maneuvering and careful aim, players will have to destroy a seemingly endless onslaught of meteors and alien space craft.
Meteors will fall towards a planet, and players will have to traverse the globe, trying to defend the planet. Each Armageddon-sized rock will splinter into smaller pieces of debris in a beautiful and chaotic spectacle. As players progress through the various stages, an even greater amount of objects will fall from the sky, providing players will a daunting challenge that borders on the insurmountable. Thankfully, players have a number of tools at their disposal.
What makes Super Stardust HD so special is its different weapon types. There's three different beams, each with their own rate of fire, and range. Each beam can destroy a different kind of meteor, whether it be made of rock, ice or gold. (We're personally enamored with the way the Gold Melter weapon looks. It's a stunning graphical display.) Each beam can be toggled with a simple press of the L1 or R1 shoulder buttons.
There's also a terrifyingly helpful boost that can be triggered with the L2 button. This boost will rocket your ship to the other side of the globe. As if in water, the boost can displace various obstacles in your way, but it happens so suddenly that players must use quick reflexes to ensure their safety upon reaching their destination. Finally, the bomb: players can use R2 to wipe out every lethal obstacle on screen at once. It's incredibly helpful, if only to give the player an extra second or two of breathing room.
The complexity added by the various rock types and weapons are welcomed in a genre that seemingly was running out of ideas. In addition, the boost mechanic creates an appreciable feel of tension, due to the overly chaotic nature of the game. Other aspects of the game also feature a surprising amount of depth. For example, bombs can be harvested from special ships. The green sections must be hit repeatedly in order for a bomb to be revealed. Careful bomb usage can make or break a successful run, making the destruction of these cargo ships a priority. Power-up items that appear on the playing field will mutate over time, meaning players will have to carefully collect them as quickly as possible. Rare 1UPs will mutate into a less helpful shield power-up. Conversely, weapon upgrades can fluctuate, meaning careful players will wait for the power-ups to change into a more desirable (or appropriate) selection. Weapons can continuously be upgraded, until they reach 200% power. The increase in power is noticeable, and crucial to become a truly masterful player.
Enemies feature an eclectic mix of behaviors that make the game even more interesting. Rarely are enemies simple fodder to shoot at. Some enemies will fire bullets, others will chase you furiously, while others will avoid your ship's fire. Bosses are a fun addition, ending each level on a truly intense note.
Not only is Super Stardust HD a beautiful game, it features a great depth to its gameplay. With great music, fantastic presentation, online leaderboards, and fun, accessible gameplay, it's hard to think that this game can only cost $8. There are a few gripes to note: firstly, the co-op multiplayer is very limited, due to its frustrating camera. Instead of offering online or split-screen play, co-op mode limits the camera to the average of the two players. This forces players to communicate which direction they'd like to go. Unfortunately, in a game this chaotic, that becomes a rather difficult ordeal.
At only $8, Super Stardust HD is an easily recommended purchase. More than Calling All Cars, or any other title on the PlayStation Store to date, this is the killer-app that defines the true potential of the PlayStation Store.
PS3 Fanboy Score: 8.5
Second Opinion: Jem
Affectionately referred to as "the game Blast Factor wants to be when it grows up," Super Stardust HD balances a rich feature list with a pick-up-and-play simplicity. While on the surface it appears to be another fast-paced dual analogue shooter, Stardust has hidden depths which require the player to use tactics and timing in order to get the greatest possible score. Graphically stunning and inescapably addictive, this is the single must-buy game on the PSN right now. For the price, you simply can't go wrong.
8.5
%Gallery-3208%
