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How Metascores Are Calculated
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Altered Beast
Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games. |
[Xbox Live Arcade] Undertow features a 15 level campaign for single-player or co-op and two robust multiplayer modes for up to 16 players. While many of the maps have level-specific goals, the core gameplay of Undertow centers on this maxim: Kill as many enemies as you can – and stay alive for as long as possible! Players select their race (Iron Marine, Nemoidian, or Atlantian) and unit type and are then launched into battle. Each of the three races features four unique, upgradeable unit types ranging in ability from the fast and agile to the large and powerful. Players have the ability to unlock and purchase unit upgrades as they acquire points. Each unit type has three levels of permanent upgrades. Through conquest-style battles, players obtain points by killing enemies, accomplishing team goals, and taking check points. Points and a variety of power-ups can be used to further upgrade unit abilities. [Chair Entertainment]
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... 95
GamePro
It's not often that you run across a good XBLA with flair all its own, but Undertow has it in spades.
 90
Game Almighty
Speaking of looks, this game is quite visually impressive. It looks great, especially for an arcade download. The lighting effects are spectacular and really give off a great underwater ambience.
90
Digital Entertainment News
Undertow is a whole lot of fun, and it delivers a full size game in a small package. The classic arcade action makes it easy to pick up, but it manages to deliver enough depth to keep you engaged.
90
GameZone
With solid gameplay, a fun story, and a great online component, Undertow is a great addition to anyone’s Xbox Live Arcade library.
90
Official Xbox Magazine
Spend your 800 Points with a smile, and dive deep. [Oct 2007, p.70]
90
Game Chronicles
If you liked Geometry Wars then you will probably like Undertow and I highly recommend coughing up the 800 points to play it.
89
Talk Xbox
Undertow stands tall above all other Xbox Live Arcade games as the best of the bunch and accomplishes this by being pure fun in a ten-dollar package.
89
DailyGame
While the gameplay is easy, we found the level of difficulty to be perfectly balanced and the vehicle upgrades to be a welcome addition to the standard shooter.
89
Console Gameworld
Undertow is a unique and addictive game. It really embodies everything I want to see in an XBLA game.
88
Team Xbox
Undertow is one of those rare surprises that at some times feels like a casual game—not because it’s easy to win, but because it’s easy to play—yet still delivers solid gameplay across its scope. And with Chair promising to support the game with new maps for players to download after its premiere, you have to expect that there’ll be reasons to dive into the Undertow ocean now and again.
87
IGN
Undertow is a perfect fit for the Xbox Live Arcade. It's fast, fun, attractive and can support 16 players online. The concept is distilled down to the basics, letting the idea and its execution speak for themselves.
86
Planet Xbox 360
Undertow is one of those great games where the demo and description do not do it justice. It is one of the most addictive, challenging, and deepest games Live Arcade offers.
85
GamerNode
Although the concepts may not be new, the setting and general feel of the gameplay help it to become one of the best original Live Arcade games. Why is no one is playing it.
85
Gaming Target
There are a few shortcomings: although the maps are gorgeous, many of them look and feel a bit too similar. The gameplay can also get repetitive with only two game types.
84
Console Monster
In the audio department the sound effects and music are passable, but not really anything worth paying much attention to. They get the job done, but never really push the boundaries, with most of the sound effects feeling very generic.
84
Gamer 2.0
All this comes wrapped in what is arguably the best audiovisual package on Live Arcade, with lighting and water effects are so smooth and nuanced that it’s easy to forget, maybe even hard to believe, that this is a downloadable game and not a fully-realized retail release.
82
My Gamer
All in all, Undertow is an enjoyable original XBLA title. And for the price of 800MS points ($10), this game is a steal.
80
Games Radar
It's the deceptive simplicity of Undertow that makes it compelling - that and the easy-to-learn rules and controls.
80
PALGN
Undertow is among the better XBLA games and one of the best originals to arrive so far.
80
1UP
The content itself is rock-solid, and offers an absolutely unique take (visually, as well) on years of carefully refined multiplayer notions. Undertow isn't quite a must-buy, but it's easily one of the more sensible ways to spend $10 online.
80
EuroGamer
Undertow is a fun, no-brainer and is a welcome addition to Xbox Live. Make sure you convince a couple of mates to fork out for it as well and you'll have a blast.
78
Gamers' Temple
Arcade shooter meets online first-person shooter and the results can be pretty enjoyable.
70
VideoGamer
A solid, fun and at times entrancing shooter that stands head and shoulders above most titles on the service in the graphics department.
70
Worth Playing
Undertow is a good fit for the Xbox Live Arcade. The action is fast and uncomplicated, it has plenty of options for the single-player and multiplayer experiences, and the tight controls do a good job of making the player want to partake in the action.
70
Gamervision
Supporting up to 16 players, online versus battles tend to be extremely chaotic and fun, while still requiring a decent amount of strategy for success.
67
GameShark
A very beautiful, very enticing Arcade title, but one that can quickly lose its luster after some time.
67
Gaming Age
The main campaign is short on the standard difficulty, but it can become a frustrating experience on the Ultra mode unless you've got a buddy to help you out.
65
GameSpot
It's safe to go back into the water with Undertow, an under-the-sea XBLA shooter with solid multiplayer modes of play.
60
X360 Magazine UK
If only the single player campaign was more entertaining. [Issue#29, p.117]
50
games(TM)
The purpose of a review is to help the reader to decide how best to spend their money, and there is little in Undertow’s familiar mechanics that can’t be found better executed elsewhere. [Jan 2008, p.130]
40
Xbox World 360 Magazine UK
Call it a failed experiment, but a worthy try. [Jan 2008, p.94]
30
Hardcore Gamer Magazine
Undertow is an obnoxious, aggravating mess that, while trying something clever by combining a 2D twin-stick arena shooter with team-based gameplay, fails to be any fun whatsoever. [Spring 2008, p.61]
Pedle Z gave it a4: Invader Phlegm gave it a10: Bakin gave it a10: H. H. gave it a10: Rudy G. gave it a10: Andy K. gave it a5: Greg L. gave it a3: |
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