Geometry-Wars
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Can Geometry Wars make you mad enough to sing?
When we get really frustrated by Geometry Wars 2 (and we do) we deal with our anger the only way we know how: We become physically abusive towards loved ones and pets. But not Matthew McCarthy. No, Matthew McCarthy just picks up a guitar and channels the rage into a song about why he hates all those stupid, cruel shapes. We tried to ape McCarthy's far healthier anger management, but after picking up our guitar we just used that to be physically abusive to loved ones and pets, which really isn't much better, when you think about it. [Via ToaRG]
Show the internets your Geometry Wars 2 'talent'
Morgon over at MyGamerCard.net just sent word that they've released a new Geometry Wars 2 scorecard to their ever growing list of generated scorecard images, which means you can now gloat about your crazy high GeoWars2 scores on every forum, personal website or comment thread across the internets. That, or how absolutely embarrassing your GeoWars2 "skills" are. Whichever it is, this scorecard (which showcases your high scores and rank for all six gametypes) is rather nifty and something we'll constantly use to keep us motivated to get better at our XBLA geometry crack. Enjoy.
View Geometry Wars 2 leaderboards online
Bizarre just sent word that the Geometry Wars Retro Evolved 2 leaderboards are now live over on the official GeoWars website allowing you (or anyone else) to search for where a Gamertag's score ranks in the grand scheme of leaderboard life. All six gametype leaderboards are searchable where you can also browse the all-time highest ranking scorers in the world. Viewing the record setting scores (1.6 billion in Pacifism, jeebuz!) is, of course, an extremely sobering realization that you really aren't that talented at Geometry Wars. That's why we've posted the record setting high scores after the break. Seeing such crazy high scores is sad, sort of depressing really. But we'll cover up our hurt and lack of confidence by playing the "at least I have a life" card.
Today's timesink: Geometry Wars 2 leaderboard site live
Hey gang, terrible, terrible news: You can now check your status on the Geometry Wars 2 leaderboards at any moment of the day, thanks to a Bizarre Creations application that's just gone live. While you can't check your status as it compares to your friends, you can see, in real-time, how you stack up against the rest of the world. It's not just the time you'll spend plugging gamertags into the site to see how everyone ranks that's so troubling. It's watching your status slipping while you toil at the office, debating if it's worth faking food poisoning to get back in the Pacifism top 10,000 that's really going to mess with you. (Spoiler alert: It's totally worth it.) [Via CVG]
Readers pick best webcomic: Fundamental Theorem of War
A flood of Greek letters coming after us is just like those dreams we had in high school the night before our Calculus exams. So it's only natural that 2P Start's The Fundamental Theorem of War bring back intense feelings of elation (or perhaps pain and suffering, if you're not huge math geeks). Fitting for us, then, that it had the highest rate of change from 0, or more accurately, it had the most votes in this week's webcomic wrapup.Second and third place both went to Penny Arcade with Anguish and For Your Consideration, respectively. Thanks to everyone who voted; be sure to let us know of any game-related webcomics you stumble upon this week!
Bizarre promises to continue Geo Wars franchise
Chatting with MTV Multiplayer, developers Stephen Cakebread and Craig Howard from Bizarre Creations discussed everything Geometry Wars Retro Evolved 2, from their design decisions all the way through the little 3D debug view that was left in the game. But most interesting is Bizarre's commitment to Geometry Wars in the future, telling MTV Multiplayer that "Geometry Wars is definitely a franchise," and that "we have enough game ideas to do Geometry Wars for probably about 10 games. It depends on what will work." Currently, there's a small team at Bizarre actively working on future Geometry iterations, but specifics regarding what games and on which platforms is very hush-hush. We say, crank out the GeoWars! We want at least ten more games. All exclusive to the 360.
Geometry Wars is 'not going to stop'
Much like the endless assault of the franchise's squirrely squares, devious diamonds and annoying arrows, Geometry Wars is sure to keep gamers frantically twiddling their thumbsticks for some time to come. Speaking to MTV Multiplayer, geometric warlord Stephen Cakebread has assured fans that the creative team hasn't run out of ideas yet. "We have enough game ideas to do 'Geometry Wars' for probably about 10 games," said Cakebread. "It depends on what will work." Things that didn't work and ended up being removed from Geometry Wars 2: Gimmicky multiplayer modes, such as a a soccer/football-style game that had players shooting objects into gravity-well goals. Things that might work in the future: Developer Bizarre Creations isn't saying, as it might "use them in the future for god knows what." Things that work in today's industry: Good franchises! "Geometry Wars is definitely a franchise," noted Bizarre manager Craig Howard. "It's not going to stop." Well, not unless you release a bomb.
How to get Geometry Wars 2's 'Smile' achievement
The "Smile" achievement in Geometry Wars 2 seems to giving people a run for their 800 MS points. Rooster Teeth's new achievement site, Achievement Hunter, has produced a spiffy little walkthrough vid of how to painlessly get attempt to get the 25 gamer point reward. Nobody says it's going to be easy, but then the best rewards in life (that leave you feeling alone and used at the end of the day) never are. [Via X3F]
Video: Grab the GeoWars 2 'Smile' achievement
If you're like us, you've already nabbed almost every achievement in Geometry Wars 2. Most of them are fairly challenging, though not overwhelming. Except one: "Smile." Easily one of the most difficult and most mysterious achievements in the game, Smile can be tricky. Enter Rooster Teeth's new achievement website Achievement Hunter and their new video guide on how to score the Smile achievement. Check it out after the break, and best of luck to everyone trying to nab the achievement.
See what you're doing wrong with Geometry Wars' 3D camera
We're not sure if you've noticed, but there are an awful lot of things trying to kill you in Geometry Wars 2. With so many sinister shapes boxing you in and particles exploding from every angle, it can be difficult to see what the hell's going on, never mind a clear escape route. If you're tired of hearing that final bang and seeing your ranking in the friends leaderboard slip ever lower, might we suggest trying the game's hidden 3D camera? The fine folks at Giant Bomb (who, in turn, credit former Joystiq writer Jared Rea) have pointed us to this neat little Easter egg which pauses the game's frantic action and allows you to swoop through the battle grid ... and even to the stars beyond. To access it, press the right bumper together with the back button during any of the game's modes. The analog sticks control the movement and direction of the camera, while the left and right triggers enable vertical adjustment. Neat! If this still doesn't aid you in getting your blaster bearings, you'd best adopt our strategy for remaining atop the leaderboard: Delete your friends.
How to freeze and explore Geometry Wars 2 in 3D
Courtesy of ModiusX11 from the official Geometry Wars 2 forums, we have a cool in-game Geometry Wars 2 trick for you to try the next time you play the game. At anytime during any of the six GeoWars2 single player modes, simply press the RB + Back buttons at the same time. What does it do? It insta-freezes the action and enables a really nifty (albeit hard to control) detached camera mode that allows you to roam around the Geometry Wars universe in 3D space. This little 3D freezing trick is actually a development tool that was used to help debug the game's graphics and was accidentally left in the final build. Doh! It's pretty useless in context of racking up a high score, but its screenshot and "WOW!" factor applications are nothing to scoff at.
XBLA in Brief: Geometry Wars 2
Geometry Wars is back. There isn't a lot more to say about it really. If you liked the first Geometry Wars, you will love Geometry Wars 2. If you didn't play the first game but love action games, you will love Geometry Wars 2. It's a good game. Yes, there is no online play, but it's not a deal breaker at all. You'll still compete on the leaderboards with your friends anyway. Check out the video and find out what makes Geometry Wars 2 worth the money. [iTunes] Subscribe to X3F TV directly in iTunes. [Zune] Subscribe to the X3F TV directly (Zune Marketplace link coming soon). [RSS] Add the X3F TV feed to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically. [M4V] Download the M4V directly.
This Wednesday (today, we mean): Geometry Wars 2
Wow, how long have we waited to write that headline? 100 years? 150? Even now as the momentous day has arrived, it still puzzles us that we had to wait so long for the reigning king of dual-stick shooters to return to us. C'mon guys, you just bump all the sliders from 8 to 10, it's not rocket science. In case you've forgotten, your 800 point purchase is going to net you a "remixed" version of the first game and five new modes: Waves, Pacifism, King, Deadline and Sequence. Also: 4-player multiplayer locally. Now, seriously ... what are you still doing reading this? Gallery: Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2
Geometry Wars 2 retro evolves onto the XBLA
Available for an 800 Microsoft point purchase (or free trial) off the Xbox Live Arcade is Bizarre Creations' true Geometry Wars sequel ever so rightly named Geometry Wars Retro Evolved 2. And even though this sequel costs twice as much as its predecessor, know that it's packed with much more content. Content like six game modes including Deadline, King, Evolved, Pacifism, Waves and Sequence as well as new enemies, new power-ups and up to four player local co-op all in native 1080p. It's nearly a complete GeoWars experience if not for the missing Xbox Live co-op support. Oh well, we'll have to do without. Enjoy and have fun attempting to unlock the game's rather difficult achievements. %Gallery-27593%
Geometry Wars devs have future PSN plans
Geometry Wars is generally considered to be the jewel in the Xbox Live Arcade crown, but if a comment made to 1Up by Bizarre Creation's games manager, Craig Howard, are to be believed we could be seeing it coming to the PSN in the future. While Geometry Wars wasn't specifically mentioned as being planned for the PlayStation Network, Howard did mention that the PSN is "definitely in our company plans going forward," while Geometry Wars 2 remains an Xbox 360 exclusive. "Currently." We're always excited to hear about more content coming to the PSN, so whether Bizzare Creations are planning on porting Geometry Wars 1 or 2 over or whether they're planning something entirely different, we'll happily grab it. Hopefully we find out something concrete sooner, rather than later.
Bizarre Creations definitely has PSN in plans
One of our favorite PR moves is the affirmative denial. It's risky, and not to be attempted by newbies. But when they can pull it off well, it's dazzling. It's like watching someone able to rub their head and play the Minute Waltz at the same time.Check out Bizarre Creations games manager Craig Howard's answer to 1UP's query about Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2 coming to PSN: "Geometry Wars Retro Evolved 2 is currently an Xbox 360 exclusive title, although PSN is definitely in our company plans going forward." (And he nails it!) No, we don't know what his comment means either. But we think our PS3-owning friends would be completely justified if they had a little extra spring in their step today.
Video: A Geometry Wars 2 video explosion!
Gather round the children, roommates, significant other(s) and your favorite stuffed animals, because there's a whole bunch of new Geometry Wars Retro Evolved 2 in-game videos to watch. Take in all the colorful destruction, the geometry explosions, the four player (local) co-op and the general excitement that is Geometry Wars. There's more video goodness after the break, so we advise making your eyes happy and watching each and every video in their entirety.
Geometry Wars 2 realigned for July 30, 800 points
What's the antonym for delay? Whatever the word, we're not used to using it around here. So when Bizarre Creations community lead Ben Ward let us know this morning that Geometry Wars 2 will be released on Xbox Live Arcade one week earlier than expected (next Wednesday!), we were at a loss for the word (of course, we could have settled along the lines of "bumped up," but opted instead for a geeky math-related term: realigned -- get it?). Ward also confirmed that the age of super-budget priced geometric space shooters is over, as we'll be paying 800 Microsoft Points ($10) this time (of course, the premium comes with a whole lot more game -- more on that in a minute). In addition, Ward revealed that the Geometry Wars 2 trial version is "basically" the full Deadline game mode, including multiplayer support (up to four players locally). We've posted Bizarre's descriptions of Deadline and the 5 additional game modes, preserved in their original British flavour, after the break. (But before you read on ... FUN FACT: Geometry Wars 2 is the first Bizarre game published by proud, sorta new parent company Activision.) %Gallery-27606%
Geometry Wars 2 release date moved to July 30
Initially set for release on August 6, Activision has moved up the final release date for Geometry Wars Retro Evolved 2 to July 30. Even after a bit of a disappointment about the co-op situation, it's probably safe to say that we're all still excited for the game. We just wish that there were more games that actually had their releases expedited instead of delayed (we're looking at you Castle Crashers and Bionic Commando). You should also note that July 30 is also the release date for Double D Dodgeball and probably Pirates VS Ninjas Dodgeball as well.
Confirmed: No online co-op for Geometry Wars 2
During our sit-down, hands on session with Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2, we learned a quite sad nugget of Geometry Wars 2 knowledge from the Microsoft folks: The game will NOT feature online co-op. Boo-hiss-boo! For the simple reason of too much going on to make co-op enabled online, Bizarre Creations will only allow four players to experience Geometry Wars 2 locally. Sad too, because we were all about destroying pieces of geometry with friends over Live. Lame! Lame! Lame!
