Old School Shooter, Next-Gen Look

Published January 18, 2008

There was a time when the shooter genre conjured up images not of blockbuster first-person titles like Call of Duty® 4: Modern Warfare™ or Halo® 3, but instead, classic joystick-based, side-scrolling action where even a single bullet could spell death and enemies burst from every corner of the screen. It's this classic shooter genre that Omega Five™ ushers back with magnificent visual flare nearly unmatched anywhere on Xbox LIVE® Arcade.

Stunning visuals for Xbox LIVE Arcade.

Refined but Familiar

For those unfamiliar with the classic shooter genre, Omega Five brings all the staples to the party: armies of enemies that fill the screen, reflex-oriented shooting, weapon upgrades, extra lives, continues, unrelenting difficulty, high scores and, of course, boss battles. It's all here and lovingly recreated, but more importantly, developer Natsume has refined and elevated the genre.

Gone are the one-hit kills that spelled endless frustration. Yes, it's still easy to die, but at least you can survive a few hits before biting the dust. Likewise, while Omega Five is indeed a side-scroller, the world is 3-D, so when you see that giant robot leaping from the background to the foreground, it's really coming after you. And in another nice touch, the weapons at your command and their respective upgrades offer unique tactical opportunities, not just visual variety.

Wouldn't be right without a boss battle or four.

Mechanical Considerations

True to its genre and the philosophy of intuitive control found in nearly every Xbox LIVE Arcade game, Omega Five's game mechanics are easy to grasp and simple to execute. The right control stick guides the direction of your shot and fires. The left stick meanwhile moves your character up, down, and around while the face buttons (A, B, X, Y) aren't used at all. Instead, your special abilities such as Ultimate Burst or Ruby's grappling hook, are all mapped to the left and right triggers and bumpers.

Gameplay Tips

Should you make the plunge and challenge Omega Five head-on you may need a pointer or two to avoid quick deaths and wasted continues. Use these tested tips to help you get started.

Upgrade Consistency

While each character can use up to three distinct weapon types throughout each level, they can't cycle among them at will. Once you've chosen a weapon/upgrade, you can't switch back without starting your new weapon back at Level 1. Be certain to avoid upgrades for a different weapon type unless you die or that new weapon is better suited for the level's enemies.

Level Recall

Much of the game's challenge is born from each level's unpredictability the first few times you play. It's hard to maneuver to the right spot when you've got no idea what's coming. Memorize each level's locations, enemy types and patterns, so the next time you encounter them, you'll know precisely where to go and how to handle them.

Chip Gathering

The pink triangular chips that burst forth from defeated enemies aren't just graphic effects. Each chip helps power your Ultimate Burst attack which clears the screen of all small-to-midsized enemies. Be sure to keep the flow of each level in mind when collecting these precious chips. Always collect from the direction the screen is moving, so if the screen is pushing you from left to right, always pick up the chips on the left first to avoid being "pushed" out of the way before you can get to them.

Swift reflexes required.

Don't be afraid to use the Ultimate Burst. This doesn't really come into play during boss battles so there's no point in hoarding the chips until the end of the level. Use the Burst as you need it. Remember also that when you clear a screen with Ultimate Burst, it fills with pink chips so you can immediately restock at least a portion of the ones you've just used.

Dimension Use

While the Ultimate Burst is certainly a most spectacular get out of jail free card, the Dimension Field is equally important. A quick tap of the left or right bumpers and you eliminate any hostile fire surrounding you. Not only that, but it will also suck up any chips that fall within the field. The Dimension Field is particularly useful when you're suffering under fire from all different directions.

Unexpected Help

Some items on screen are helpful. For example, the green laser turrets on the Glacial Fortress level damage you, but they also will damage all the onscreen enemies that cross their path as well. Use these items to your advantage when you find them, and destroy only when necessary.

Omega Five takes us back to a bygone age when classic arcade shooters ruled the gaming roost, and it does so while layering on much-appreciated improvements. Add to that a two-player cooperative multiplayer mode, unlockable challenge levels, and Leaderboards to establish bragging rights, and Omega Five marks itself a stunning and original addition to the Xbox LIVE Arcade library.

Article by Ryan Treit