Just one thing missing...
Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved was the surprise hit of the original Xbox Live Arcade lineup, and it could be argued that it helped pave the way for the direction it took into the "Not old game remake city" arena. The biggest knock one could have with it at the time was that, while its main game mode was fun, that was just the problem: There was just the one main game mode. Fortunately, Bizarre has come around and decided to build on the game, giving us the nearly complete package that is Geometry Wars 2.
The game still plays and looks (barring restrictions in certain modes) the same. Move with the left stick, shoot with the right, in a top-down world built entirely out of neon geometric shapes. The lighting in this version on those shapes is a bit softer, and the overall look is crisper, especially on an HDTV, where they've actually used the resolution instead of stretching the game sideways. In a neat idea, the main singleplayer menu lists a miniature friends leaderboard next to each of the game modes, and as you complete a mission, it shows you your recent scores as well as a slightly larger leaderboard. It's a neat way to keep you up with how your friends are doing, but it's a poor substitute for...
...the lack of an online mode. The one thing holding this game back is that the multiplayer component is local only. The idea of 4-player online coop in Geometry Wars was drool-worthy when the game was first announced, so the lack of the online ability is a bummer. That is, really, the only major knock one could have against this game, because the rest of the package is stellar.
The only major gameplay tweaks, aside from the game modes, are that instead of your multiplier being depending on shooting enemies, you pick up little specks called Geoms that raise your multiplier to enormous heights (Like, say, x1000 if you do well enough,) and the introduction of a couple new enemies, including gates that you can either bounce bullets off of or move straight through to create a mini-explosion. Those infuriating snake enemies from the first have been toned down immensely in this one, which is a relief for sanity everywhere.
The extra modes are well thought out, and have interesting twists on the basic gameplay. Deadline gives you unlimited lives but just 3 minutes to score as much as you can. King mode puts circular zones around the playfield, which enemies can't enter, but they're the only places you're allowed to shoot, creating mad dashes for the next zone as they decay. Pacifism is based around the achievement from the first; you cannot shoot enemies, but you can destroy them by flying through gates. Waves is essentially the same game that came with PGR4, and Sequence is a 20-level deathstravaganza involving giant waves of enemies. This is the "memorize where stuff goes so I can dodge it next time" mode, and it's pretty scary.
One of the things the original game had to its credit was some of the most clever achievements at a time when most gamemakers weren't putting any thought into them. The sequel doesn't disappoint, with achievements based around rebounding off of gates (harder during a firefight than it sounds) and a pair of achievements called Wax On and Wax Off, which involve rubbing the entire outside wall during pacifism mode once and twice during a game, respectively. Wax On isn't hard, but trying to Wax Off with about 200 enemies chasing you is a challenge.
The lack of online play really does stick out, but in all fairness, there's enough there in the maingame to more than overcome the original's distinct lack of variety. This is still a very well-thought-out and fun game that is more than worth the $10 entry fee, especially if you have buddies to play with in person.
