Super Destronaut DX-2 (X1-Series X|S - PS4-5 - Switch - PC)

Submit your reviews here - please see guidelines topic
Post Reply
User avatar
Sturmvogel Prime
Posts: 831
Joined: Sat Oct 11, 2008 4:23 am
Location: Autobot City, Sugiura Base

Super Destronaut DX-2 (X1-Series X|S - PS4-5 - Switch - PC)

Post by Sturmvogel Prime »

SPACE INVADERS (PART I)

Looks like the following four reviews are going to be a Space Invaders marathon.
The opening chapter will be Super Destronaut DX-2



Image
A "Welcome Back" of some sorts.

The game features two modes: Challenges and Arcade Modes. Both of them are splitted in different parts, but first let's talk about challenges. First let's talk about the Arcade Mode.

Arcade Mode is a 5 variation mode of this Space Invaders clone which utilize different gameplay mechanics for a more unique challenge.

CLASSIC MODE: This mode is pretty much like Space Invaders: Wave after wave of enemies sent towards you non-stop where the game ends until you lose all of your three lives. The main objective here is to reach the highest score possible.

TIME ATTACK: Unlike the Classic Mode where the objective is to reach the highest score possible before running out of lives, this time you have to survive as long as possible by destroying waves of enemies. Each wave of enemies grants you more play-time while getting hit drains seconds.

TIME RUSH: This one is similar to Time Attack and puts those words to work much further than the previous mode 'cos you're given 120 seconds and you have to rack the highest score possible within the time limit. You can't die by losing lives, but you can lose your multiplier if you get hit.

BULLET MODE: A twist on the classic shooting. You're sent with limited ammo and the game ends when you ran out of bullets. Fortunately, all the enemies take one shot to be destroyed, and the large UFO drops extra ammo to keep you in the game.

HARDCORE MODE: Same as Classic Mode, but with stronger enemies and slightly tougher attacks. Like in Classic Mode, the objective is to rack up the highest score possible before losing all of your ships.



Image
Simple, yet fun to play.

The gameplay mechanics were improved in comparison with the previous game, starting off with the ship's mobility, unlike Space Invaders and the previous Super Destronaut DX, the ship is no longer restricted to just move from left to right, it can now go up or down, and this is well exploited in the game as it now sends jumping fish-like enemies from behind which have to be dodged in order to stay alive. Another addition to the game is the return of the score multipier that increases by 0.1 as long as you don't get hit. It can increase to a total of x100.00 and even more, enhancing the hi-score challenge factor of the game in any of the game modes you're playing. The "Invaders" attack patterns were improved, from the homing missile firing to shotgun-like spread fires and long-time consuming beams. They've got new weapons, but your weaponry was also improved as the game grants you side pods for extra firepower like rapid vulcans or auto-aim fast shots, and you're granted with a new ability: Focus. This skill slows the game's speed allowing you to fire and dodge the enemy fire much easier, but the Focus consumes its own energy and you'll have to wait for a while until it recharges. Another improvement was the removal of the background coming dead Invaders from the previous game. If you're new to Super Destronaut, the first game sent dead Invaders from the background of the screen increasing the risk of crashing and losing a life. With this game hazard removed, we have a more relaxed, yet fun shooting experience that fits better on its vintage setting.



Image
It's the Super Destronaut World Tour!

Challenges, unlike Super Destronaut DX, its now splitted in "Worlds" instead of a single large list. The objective in all of them are to complete the stage at least by reaching the Bronze Score, which is the minimum score to clear the level. But you're given the option of try to get the Gold Rating. To achieve that you'll have to be familiarized with the basic mechanisms of each "mode" from Arcade Mode, and completing the objectives without getting hit, since like I said before, destroying an enemy grants you an x0.1 to the multiplier that increases with each defeated enemy, playing a major role in the game's progression.

WORLD 1: The Basics of Super Destronaut DX-2

The first world of the game will introduce you to the game's mechanics so you can get used to them.

1-1: CLASSIC MODE
Score Objectives: Bronze Score - 5.000, Silver Score - 10.000, Gold Score - 15.000

1-2: TIME ATTACK
Score Objectives: Bronze Score - 8.000, Silver Score - 10.000, Gold Score - 12.000

1-3: TIME RUSH
Score Objectives: Bronze Score - 8.000, Silver Score - 10.000, Gold Score - 12.000

1-4: BULLET MODE
Score Objectives: Bronze Score - 6.000, Silver Score - 8.000, Gold Score - 10.000

1-5: HARDCORE
Score Objectives: Bronze Score - 8.000, Silver Score - 12.000, Gold Score - 15.000


WORLD 2: Modifiers Activated

The second world will introduce the Modifiers. At first you'll probably ask "¿How these will affect the game?" Modifiers are special attributes given to the enemies and sometimes to your ship, giving you a boost in some areas or affecting its performance.


SHRINKING ENEMIES: Invaders will reduce their size.
BIGGER ENEMY BULLETS: Invaders fire larger projectiles, increasing their chances of hitting you.
FASTER ENEMY BULLETS: Invader projectiles move at high speed, reducing the room for error drastically through speed factors.
BIGGER PLAYER RECOIL: The bullets move more erratically.
FOCUS USES LESS ENERGY: The slowdown can be used for a little more time.
GROWING ENEMIES: Invaders will increase their size, making them much easier targets.
BIGGER PLAYER BULLETS: Your ship will fire larger bullets.
FASTER PLAYER BULLETS: The speed of your shots will increase, making them harder to dodge for the enemy.
MORE FALLING ENEMIES: Dead Invaders will drop their dead bodies more often.

2-1: CLASSIC MODE
Modifiers: Shrinking Enemies
Score Objectives: Bronze Score - 15.000, Silver Score - 20.000, Gold Score - 25.000

2-2: TIME ATTACK
Modifiers: Bigger Enemy Bullets
Score Objectives: Bronze Score - 20.000, Silver Score - 25.000, Gold Score - 30.000

2-3: TIME RUSH
Modifiers: Faster Enemy Bullets
Score Objectives: Bronze Score - 15.000, Silver Score - 20.000, Gold Score - 25.000

2-4: BULLET MODE
Modifiers: Bigger Player Recoil
Score Objectives: Bronze Score - 10.000, Silver Score - 14.000, Gold Score - 18.000

2-5: HARDCORE
Modifiers: Focuses Uses Less Energy
Score Objectives: Bronze Score - 12.000, Silver Score - 16.000, Gold Score - 20.000


WORLD 3: Fun with the Modifiers

More Modifiers are introduced in this mode. Learning how they work is essential if you want to succeed.

3-1: CLASSIC MODE
Modifiers: Growing Enemies
Score Objectives: Bronze Score - 25.000, Silver Score - 35.000, Gold Score - 45.000

3-2: TIME ATTACK
Modifiers: Faster Enemy Bullets
Score Objectives: Bronze Score - 20.000, Silver Score - 30.000, Gold Score - 40.000

3-3: TIME RUSH
Modifiers: Bigger Player Bullets
Score Objectives: Bronze Score - 25.000, Silver Score - 35.000, Gold Score - 45.000

3-4: BULLET MODE
Modifiers: Faster Player Bullets
Score Objectives: Bronze Score - 30.000, Silver Score - 36.000, Gold Score - 42.000

3-5: HARDCORE
Modifiers: More Falling Enemies
Score Objectives: Bronze Score - 20.000, Silver Score - 25.000, Gold Score - 30.000


WORLD 4: Modifier Exercise

This mode will test Modifiers in other modes than the previous settings of World 2. Also, the score requirements will double their numbers compares with the previous worlds.

4-1: CLASSIC MODE
Modifiers: Bigger Enemy Bullets
Score Objectives: Bronze Score - 50.000, Silver Score - 65.000, Gold Score - 80.000

4-2: TIME ATTACK
Modifiers: More Falling Enemies
Score Objectives: Bronze Score - 60.000, Silver Score - 70.000, Gold Score - 80.000

4-3: TIME RUSH
Modifiers: Bigger Enemy Bullets
Score Objectives: Bronze Score - 50.000, Silver Score - 60.000, Gold Score - 70.000

4-4: BULLET MODE
Modifiers: Faster Enemy Bullets
Score Objectives: Bronze Score - 80.000, Silver Score - 100.000, Gold Score - 120.000

4-5: HARDCORE
Modifiers: Bigger Player Recoil
Score Objectives: Bronze Score - 55.000, Silver Score - 70.000, Gold Score - 85.000


WORLD 5: Double Modifiers

This time, the game will use two modifiers instead of one, so get ready to be challenged.

5-1: CLASSIC MODE
Modifiers: Shrinking Enemies, Bigger Player Bullets
Score Objectives: Bronze Score - 80.000, Silver Score - 120.000, Gold Score - 150.000

5-2: TIME ATTACK
Modifiers: Bigger Enemy Bullets, Faster Player Bullets
Score Objectives: Bronze Score - 50.000, Silver Score - 80.000, Gold Score - 100.000

5-3: TIME RUSH
Modifiers: Growing Enemies, Faster Enemy Bullets
Score Objectives: Bronze Score - 100.000, Silver Score - 140.000, Gold Score - 170.000

5-4: BULLET MODE
Modifiers: Focus Uses Less Energy, Bigger Player Recoil
Score Objectives: Bronze Score - 120.000, Silver Score - 170.000, Gold Score - 200.000

5-5: HARDCORE
Modifiers: Shrinking Enemies, Faster Player Bullets
Score Objectives: Bronze Score - 130.000, Silver Score - 150.000, Gold Score - 170.000


WORLD 6: Double Modifiers II

The final world, the final Double-Mod challenge awaits.

6-1: CLASSIC MODE
Modifiers: Bigger Enemy Bullets, Bigger Player Bullets
Score Objectives: Bronze Score - 160.000, Silver Score - 220.000, Gold Score - 280.000

6-2: TIME ATTACK
Modifiers: Growing Enemies, Faster Enemy Bullets
Score Objectives: Bronze Score - 150.000, Silver Score - 200.000, Gold Score - 250.000

6-3: TIME RUSH
Modifiers: Shrinking Enemies, Faster Player Bullets
Score Objectives: Bronze Score - 80.000, Silver Score - 120.000, Gold Score - 180.000

6-4: BULLET MODE
Modifiers: Focus Uses Less Energy, Faster Enemy Bullets
Score Objectives: Bronze Score - 160.000, Silver Score - 220.000, Gold Score - 300.000

6-5: HARDCORE
Modifiers: More Falling Enemies, Bigger Player Recoil
Score Objectives: Bronze Score - 120.000, Silver Score - 180.000, Gold Score - 240.000


Got all the objectives?, Good. Time to claim the Special Reward of this game.
Whatever it is, hope its good enough. Cross your fingers and hope for the best, flyboy.



Image
YOU'RE WINNER!
LET'S TRY ANYTHING ELSE WITHOUT THE VIDEO GAME.


Remember the "Special Reward" they've mentioned when you started to play "Challenges"? Well, this is your reward: A PS1-era looking trophy in the title screen. It might look lame and unrewarding for any gamer and even make you think of the infamous "You're Winner!" from Big Rigs Over The Road Racing, but after playing dozens of trash shooters like Breakthrough Gaming Space 2, Blastful, Space Blaze and Aircraft Evolution, this is quite a small, simple reward and I prefer something like this rather than being thrown to the credits without (at least) being recognized.



Image
Old school with a new breath of life for the new generations.

Graphically, is pretty much the same as its predecessor, as it is based on pixel designed characters influenced by Space Invaders. However, the player's ship has more details now, like the blue canopy and gray panels in the middle of the ship as if the game's trying to cue the simplicity of Galaga's ship. The "Invaders" have more animations rather than the basic gif-like movement as they now spin and jump. The background features more Vector lines that create backgrounds like chinese arcs, Easter Island Moais and forests.
The sound department, while it lacks of the announcer, it has a new synthwave-like soundtrack that "hits right on target" with the idea of going all 80's with the concept of retro-gaming.



Image
A positive mark on the Lea Scale.

To conclude the review, Super Destronaut DX-2 goes further beyond than its predecessor, but retaining the classic simplicity at the same time.
If there's a way to challenge a long time Space Invaders player, then this is the game that knows how to challenge the pro's.



Image
Oh-oh, babe, we're gonna love tonight (Yes, we're gonna love toni-iiiight)
Oh-oh, babe, we're gonna love tonight (You and me together.)


That "Dancing Natsuki" implies this is a good game you're gonna enjoy.
Fan of Transformers, Shmups and Anime-styled Girls. You're teamed up with the right pilot!
Bringing you shmup and video game reviews with humorous criticism.

STG Wikias: Thunder Force Wiki - Wikiheart Exelica - Ginga Force Wiki
Post Reply