Taito has some of the best retro titles under its belt and Space Invaders is one of them. Released all the way back in 1978, this unique space shooter is one of the pioneers of early gaming. However, now lost to the annals of gaming history, this franchise was long lost until recently. Taito and Inin Games are back at it again with another great retro release this time with Space Invaders. Space Invaders Forever is essentially a collection of three unique titles set in the Space Invaders universe. These three games include Space Invaders Extreme, Space Invaders Gigamax 4SE, and Arkanoid VS Space Invader. This is our review of the PS4 version of Space Invaders Forever in which we kill some space enemies while traveling back to 1978 with some serious nostalgia.
Starting with the Space Invaders Extreme, it was originally released back in 2008 to mark the franchise’s 30th anniversary however it fell under the radar. It features a fresh take on the franchise with its combination of modern visuals with classic gameplay with a few modern touches. The version added in the collection is actually based on the 40th-anniversary release for Steam. It features enhanced visuals and sound that gives the game a modern overhaul however when it comes to the gameplay, it sticks close to its roots and it is as classic as it could be while staying modern enough for new gamers to like the game.
It comes with two playing modes. The very first is the Arcade playing mode which is the default playing mode for the game. Here, you follow a level tree where each level is displayed. As you progress in these levels, you unlock more levels and this continues until you finish the Arcade Mode. Each level in this tree comprises of multiple stages and some bonus ones as well. In normal stages, you must complete a set number of enemy waves and then defeat a boss to complete the level. However, in this mode, you will also trigger some bonus levels in-between which are initiated when you hit certain milestones.
Killing a certain number of same color enemies will give you a special weapon as well that will allow you to kill the enemies quickly such as bombs and lasers. At the end of each level, you are graded based on your skill and performance and you will earn a ranking. Achieving higher rankings will ensure that you are on top of the leaderboards. Once you complete a level in the Arcade Mode, you will unlock it in the Free Play mode where you can quickly jump in any level that you have unlocked. This allows you to jump in the game quickly for short play-sessions where you simply jump in a level, complete it, and go away if you have to without the commitment of a full Arcade Mode playthrough.
This is also my favorite game in the collection. This is because Space Invaders Extreme is the perfect blend of modern and classic. The visuals might be shiny and modern but the game underneath plays out just like the classic. I will agree that in certain mechanics, it feels like a modern game but if you stick to the default weaponry, it plays out just like the original title which was released back in 1978. This is also the best-looking title in the collection so if you prefer modern-looking video games, this is the best Space Invaders experience for you. The upbeat soundtrack ensures that you are grooving to the beat while killing your enemies as well.
The second title is Space Invaders Gigamax 4 SE and it is the first Space Invaders game ever to feature multiplayer. It also features both the original levels as well as some brand-new levels as well that really offer a lot of levels in total for you to have fun in with your friends and family. The co-op is played on the same screen and it is really easy as well. Each player spawns on the same level and by combining your powers together, you can bully your way through the enemies and the bosses. Bosses are specially designed for co-op combat so playing solo could be a little problem.
If you are looking for the authentic Space Invaders experience, then this game is for you. The only difference between this game and the original Space Invaders is that is allows multiplayer with up to four players and has some additional space invader types for you to destroy. The gameplay is exactly the same and even the visuals are almost similar to the original title. This is a much slower title however the boss battles are epic and are really difficult if you are playing solo. For me, this game is only good if you have some friends over or you want to play with your family members. The stages and boss battles are big and become tedious for solo play however the Gigantamax feature is pretty cool which enlarges the enemies every time you shoot them. Excellent game for a co-op of you and your friends who love retro titles.
The final title in the collection is Arkanoid Vs Space Invaders. This is a mix of two of the most iconic video game franchises of their own time. Arkanoid is a famous block-breaker title and this unique collaboration works miracles for both games. This game was originally released on mobile devices back in 2016 however now the developer has released it on consoles with the new collection. The most unique element of this title is that it combines the elements of both games and presents them in such a good way that sometimes you even forget that is a collab and you think that this is a game that was designed this way.
Arkanoid vs Space Invaders is probably the only title in the collection that comes with a proper story as well. While it is not much, however, it still gives you a certain goal towards completing levels. It plays out in the most unique way as well. Unlike the other two games where you use the controller’s buttons, this game is playable with just the Dualshock 4’s Touchpad. You use the touchpad to move your Vaus spacecraft around and shoot back the enemy projectiles to kill them. You also continue to unlock new and fun abilities and skills along the way as well. Apart from killing enemies, you also have to break blocks to clear the levels and as you progress in the game, the blocks are used in more and more creative ways to block direct access to your enemies.
Since this is a direct port of the mobile game to a console, there are many mechanics here that remind you of the game’s launch platforms. For example, the level selection is similar to modern mobile games where you complete one level and then move to the next one in a snake pattern. You complete one world and then you move to the next world. Most of the UI resembles the mobile version as well with special buttons inserted in them for controlling the UI with the controller. It looks really good and the levels have a lot of activity going on at the same time however I will still consider Space Invaders Extreme the prettiest game in the collection.
Final Verdict:
Space Invader Forever might not feature the original Space Invader game from 1978 but it surely hits nostalgia in all the right places. There is a game for every mood. For the original classic lovers, to people looking forward to a modern take on the franchise to people looking for a cool crossover with another brilliant franchise, this collection has it all. All three titles offer plenty of hours of fun and with Space Invaders Gigamax 4SE, you do not even have to play the game alone. This is surely a collection worth adding to your library if you loved this particular franchise or simply love playing retro titles. The soundtrack alone is worth jumping in the game. Highly recommended whether you are a modern gamer or a gaming veteran from the early 1970s!
Final Score: 9.0/10
