Galaga Legions DX Review for PlayStation 3 (PS3)

System: PS3
Dev: Namco
Pub: Namco Bandai
Release: August 2, 2011
Players: 1
Screen Resolution: 480p-1080p	Mild Fantasy Violence

One thing that Galaga Legions DX has that an old arcade cabinet can't compare to, though, is its visual appeal. The game features six different skins you can use, which include both highly-detailed pixel-based graphics and full 3D model visuals. Personally, I liked the pixel-based options, as blasting through enemies produced block-based fireworks that were beautiful to behold. However, the 3D model visuals also looked great, and cycling through the different skins certainly made this feel like a "new" Galaga experience (even though the gameplay didn't really back this up).

Galaga Legions DX Screenshot

The only thing I can think of that could make this game worth ten dollars is a feature I haven't even been able to try yet: tournaments. On the menu, there is an option to partake in future tournaments with players online. There were none available to play, so I wasn't able to test drive it, but I couldn't help but wonder why there weren't any competitive online multiplayer modes outside of the tournament mode. Adding an additional multiplayer mode would have really boosted this title in the play value department.

If you're a huge Galaga fan, chances are you already have plans to pick this one up. But if you are a more casual player, I would give this one a bit of thought before downloading it. It's plenty of fun, and I can't diminish the intrinsic value of spending an afternoon blasting away at enemies, but once you've beaten the game's ten levels, there really isn't much else to do. If it was maybe a bit less expensive, I don't think it would be that much of an issue, but paying what amounts to a dollar a level for a game that you won't need two hours to completely demolish just doesn't seem like a great deal to me.

By Amanda L. Kondolojy
CCC Senior Contributing Writer

RATING OUT OF 5

RATING DESCRIPTION

3.6

Graphics
HD graphics and different visual styles look great.

4.2

Control
Twitch-based controls are easy to learn, but have plenty of depth.

3.0

Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
Music and sound are about typical.

2.5

Play Value
You'll blast through the ten levels in less than two hours, and improving your score doesn't have the pull you'd expect.

3.6

Overall Rating - Good
Not an average. See Rating legend below for a final score breakdown.

Review Rating Legend
0.1 - 1.9 = Avoid	2.5 - 2.9 = Average	3.5 - 3.9 = Good	4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
2.0 - 2.4 = Poor	3.0 - 3.4 = Fair	4.0 - 4.4 = Great	5.0 = The Best

Game Features:

Galaga Legions DX refines the classic space shooter gameplay loved by millions, turning it into the most action-packed entry in the series' 30 year history.

Players will face thousands of Galaga aliens as they blast their way through ten Areas, each with its own unique stages and Galaga formations. Galaga Legions DX also lets players customize their game by choosing from a selection of Galaga skins, including the classic original.

Players will have plenty of offensive and defensive options at their disposal. Focus Fire allows the space ship's rate of fire to increase the closer they are to the enemy, enabling players drill through the heart of an approaching Galaga swarm.