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Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2

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8.3 User Score:

Universal acclaim

Based on 52 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 34 votes
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Game Info

Publisher: Activision

Developer: Bizarre Creations

Genre(s): Shooter

Players: 4

ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)

Release Date: July 30, 2008

Summary

[Xbox Live Arcade] Experience the adrenaline rush from playing the latest version of the frenetic retro shooter Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2. New features include six action-packed gameplay modes, new enemies, new scoring strategies, and a diverse list of exciting achievements. If that's not crazy enough for you, try multiplayer mayhem for up to four players. Use power-ups in versus mode to boost your stats or handicap your opponent, or team up with others in co-op mode. Play it all in razor-sharp 1080p to new pulse-pounding music. Unlock all six of these innovative and challenging modes -- Deadline, Evolved, King, Pacifism, Waves, and Sequence. Achievements: Go for 12 entertaining and inventive ways to boost your gamerscore. Geoms: Collect Geoms to increase your multiplier -- but act fast, they won't last forever! New enemies: Shoot down all the usual suspects, then say "Hello" to new enemies that have found additional ways to hunt you down. [Activision]

Also On Metacritic

GAMES: Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved

Cheat Codes & Hints: Cheat Code Central

Also On The Web: Official Website

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100

Giant Bomb

Even if you've grown tired of the seemingly endless cavalcade of dual-joystick shooters that Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved's success spawned on Xbox Live Arcade, the sequel is well-worth its $10 price tag.

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100

GameDaily

Gorgeous, irresistible and a must buy, Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2 epitomizes fun.

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100

Gaming Age

The addition of the 5 new modes adds a whole lot of life to the game than just Evolved, creating separate leaderboards for each mode. Also, the achievement system in Evolved 2 is pretty great, offering a solid variety of challenges for players that enjoying going for a full set.

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100

AceGamez

Evidently, there's potential left to wring out of the old twin-stick shooter yet.

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Xbox World Australia

Geometry Wars 2 is both an evolutionary and revolutionary sequel, taking all the things that made the original great and tweaking it where necessary, as well as adding stacks of new content.

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Gameplanet

An action packed shape shooter that builds on the successes of the previous versions and creates the most solid Xbox Live Arcade experience to date. This game packs a real punch and will give you huge replay value. Better than the original in every way.

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Talk Xbox

There's truthfully nothing wrong with this package. If you have any interest in dual stick shooters, Geometry Wars 2 is definitely the cream of the crop.

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Gamer 2.0

Bizarre Creations has not only managed to give fans more of what they wanted, but provided more modes and co-op options to make Evolved 2 last a lot longer.

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GameFocus

For ten bucks you cannot go wrong.

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Extreme Gamer

Geometry Wars Retro Evolved 2 is excellent, a visual and audio experience which should be played by any gamer.

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AtomicGamer

With sharp new visuals and great sounds, it winds up being the best-looking game of its kind on your 360, and will offer many hours of great action if you get into it.

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Planet Xbox 360

Geometry Wars Evolved 2 is the new high-water mark for XBLA titles. They could have delivered half what they did and wowed gamers, but there is enough here to keep you playing this $10 bargain longer than most $60 retail titles.

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Console Monster

Feels like Geometry Wars but with more great game modes, multiplayer and improved visuals.

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1UP

Devotees will immediately recognize Retro Evolved 2's myriad improvements.

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Games Master UK

A thoroughly addictive title that puts the original title to shame. [Oct 2008, p.76]

Game Revolution

A fantastic way to spend your time and money. It takes everything that made the first game work upon it in every conceivable way and is a prime example of the right way to make a sequel.

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Edge Magazine

It may be pulled together from no more than shards of light, but few games manage to be both a science and an art. [Oct 2008, p.99]

games(TM)

Does exactly what a good sequel should, retaining the core appeal of the first game but with enough twists added to make it feel as altogether new and exciting as a completely original title. [Oct 2008, p.118]

BigPond GameArena

There’s a load of play modes to stop you doing the same old thing over and over again, including kickass, not internet play. The funny thing is most of us will settle for obsessively playing one mode anyway, and once again busting for just one...more...go. Not bad for a ten buck investment.

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Official Xbox Magazine UK

As wonderfully addictive as ever. [Oct 2008, p.94]

X360 Magazine UK

The daddy is back. [Issue#37, p.116]

Game Chronicles

I am sure you will fall in love.

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Thunderbolt

Another exceptional addition in a long line of shooters. While it does put a new spin on certain elements the basic principle of play is the same as its predecessors, proving that massive change doesn't always trump simple refinement.

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MEGamers

One of the most adrenaline filled, most frantic 2D Shooters ever made. Don’t hesitate and deny yourself this experience.

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Deeko

Small problems aside though, this game is more than worth it for the low, low price of ten bucks.

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Gamestyle

It’s disappointing that online co-op hasn’t been included (only local), it is however quite likely it wouldn’t work due to the twitch gameplay required. It still doesn’t stop Geometry Wars 2 being an absolute steal at 800 points.

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Official Xbox Magazine

We’re more than a little sore about the inexcusable lack of online play, but between the startlingly sharp neon visual aesthetic, the bumping new soundtrack, and smartly integrated Achievements, Retro Evolved 2 sets a new standard for arcade shooters on any platform, downloadable or otherwise.

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Team Xbox

Beating all twenty levels of Sequence will give you an immense sense of accomplishment. Or at least I assume it will, I haven’t been able to do it yet.

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Eurogamer

The omission of online play aside, Geometry Wars 2 is everything you hoped it would be. It deftly builds on a simple framework without overloading it, and even finds room to make the core experience more varied and accessible to everyone.

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VideoGamer

It's got new game modes, enhanced visuals and multiplayer support. If you love Geometry Wars you'll love this.

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360 Gamer Magazine UK

Beautiful, engrossing and addictive as hell, Retro Evolved 2 is among the best XBLA has to offer right now. It plays just as well as you remember the games that inspired it used to (although Mr MAME would recommend you remove the rose-tinted specs) and for the asking price, you simply can’t go wrong.

GameSpot

Retro Evolved 2 takes adrenaline-soaked, addictive shooters to a level of unprecedented awesomeness.

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Hardcore Gamer Magazine

If you loved the first Geometry Wars, you're going to adore Geometry Wars 2.

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WonderwallWeb

Apart from the lack of online play, Geometry Wars 2 really is the perfect sequel, it's still the same game that you know and love, but with the addition of the new modes of play it is even better.

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Gamervision

There are a ton of new additions in this sequel making it more than worth the 800 MS Points, but somehow the game still felt like an add-on, and not a new game.

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GamePro

This sequel does not reinvent itself but even at double the price point of its predecessor, Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2 manages to offer enough new modes and graphic enhancements to make it a must buy for fans of the original.

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NZGamer

With its subtle but significant changes to the gameplay, and with the leaderboards providing excellent motivation for just one more go, Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2 will last players until their skills plateau. Even those that are loath to get into the fuzzy area of downloadable content and digital rights management owe it to themselves to purchase this game. It’s simply that good.

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Boomtown

Even the achievements are well thought-out – what began with Pacifism in Retro Evolved has expanded to the point where eight out of the twelve achievements require you to play in a non-standard manner, for example Wax On and Wax Off – gained for completing one and two complete circuits of the arena walls in Pacifism mode – or Phobia – scoring 1,000 points in Waves mode without collecting any geoms (much harder than it sounds).

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PALGN

Geometry Wars Retro Evolved 2 reminds us why the service is called Xbox Live Arcade, offering up an old school high score chasing extravaganza that's more addictive, varied and even better looking than its predecessor.

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Cheat Code Central

A must buy for dual-stick shooter fans. The sharp difficulty, new modes, and low price point ($10) add up to a game that's hard to turn down.

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Console Gameworld

The new game modes and offline multiplayer are sweet enough additions that it makes Geometry Wars once again like candy – addicting and highly salivating for those who want non-stop action.

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Computer and Video Games

Great package for the price but the feeling that it's all been toned down leaves a sour taste in our mouths. If you never played the original though, that won't matter, because you'll love this to bits.

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PTGamers

It keeps the same excellent playability, going a touch deeper with the assortment of game modes.

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Play.tm

Part of me feels like I need to find some kind of flaw with the game, but after weeks of playing my only problem with it is that my high score in Deadline won't go above five million no matter how hard I try. It's starting to make me feel woefully inferior and slightly less masculine every time I look at the online leaderboards.

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Worth Playing

A nearly perfect experience for a very select crowd. It might even be convincing enough to convert a few non-believers, but it's not perfect.

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The Onion (A.V. Club)

Retro Evolved 2 manages to induce both nostalgia and awe, maintaining the series' status as one of gaming's purest pleasures.

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Gaming Nexus

While not as fresh and new as the original game, Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2 is a phenomenal action game full of unique modes, fun multiplayer and tons of excitement.

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IGN

A solid sequel. Three of the six modes are great fun, with the other three being at least serviceable. But this is a game and a series that is showing its age.

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Totally360

If you were a fan of the original I would definitely say to download this sequel and enjoy. If you are new to the series, download the demo and you will be hooked in no time.

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Kikizo

Geometry Wars 2 is a better game, not just because of the new modes but the emphasis on fun and novel ways to enjoy an otherwise linear experience.

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Gamer.nl

When you're the proud owner of a next-gen console, the last thing on your mind is to play 2D shooting games. At least, that's what you think. Make an exception for Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2. Because of the simple fact that this will be the most frantic and over the top action you will ever see in a 2D game. Give it a go!

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Game Positive

In the end, Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2 isn't looking to win you over if you weren't a fan of the previous games. Those who played the original to death will find a lot to like in its sequel, as it provides more of the same fast-paced shooting action that has become a staple of the series.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 8.3 (out of 10) based on 34 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

michael k. gave it a10:
Highly addictive and visually beautiful. Pacificism is a game type that will have you playing at 1am, 'just one more time'. If you don't usually go for XBLA titles then this is a perfect initiation.

Chris S. gave it an8:
This is so much fun on multi-player - we setup a big screen with a projector and had a blast. Controls are sensitive but work well. Another reviewer said the controls were unresponsive - I didn't find that at all.

Kaleb H. gave it a10:
6 games in one. When my buddies aren't haloing we are constantly trying to beat each others scores. This game brilliantly decided to put the leaderboards on the game selection screen, constantly pushing you towards number 1.

Khristian R. gave it an8:
If you've played the original, its more of the same, but with additional options. If not, the bet way to describe GW2 is an Asteroids clone on acid with different game modes. It true gameplay, and its addictive. Its one of the best games on Arcade I'd pay the £6.80 for. SCORE : 88%.

Pedle Z. gave it a9:
A truly worth successor to the original. Since GW2 came out I have found that when I go back to GWRE I find it bland by comparison. Given how great GWRE was, that says a lot about the sequel.

Andrew O. gave it an8:
It's really the same thing as last time. It's either I'm too stupid to fine out how to play on LIVE, or the game is meaninglessly without one. Still fun to try to get to the top of the leaderboards, though.

Nathan W. gave it a10:
This game is the perfect party game, it has more replayability than $60 titles. i would have loved to have upgradeable weapons like in the original, and multiplayer high-scores, but the new game types and multiplayer more than make up for it.

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Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2

Game Info

Summary

Also On Metacritic

What The Critics Said

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