Compromised (XBLIG): "A Shmup That Could Easily Be A Retail Game ... Think Konami"

Have you ever wondered what it would be like if a company with an art style like Konami's decided to make shmups? Well in a roundabout way 'Super Soul (The Developer)' has answered that question. When I first laid eyes on the Youtube trailer for this game it reminded me greatly of games like "Castlevania", and "Contra". The only difference was that the game was a shmup with it's own unique story. I knew This would be the type of game a lot of shmup fans would enjoy, so I contacted the developer early on in hopes of securing a code. I'm definitely glad I got the opportunity to not only play the game, but to also share what I found as I did my playthrough of it. In the following paragraphs I'm going to try my best to relay necessary info on the game without making a mess of things. There's a lot to talk about concerning this title, and it'll be best done in an organized fashion.


 The story of 'Compromised' could very well be it's own science fiction novel. It has all the necessary ingredients to make one. While the in-game story is kept to a minimum you will definitely get the feel that the game encompasses a much larger plot. There are several levels within the game that start off with dialogue/titles concerning your various mission objectives. Ultimately you are an "Aero" which is a ship that is designed/built to combat a threat known as BIOC. These invaders have compromised, and breached the security of your planet. It is up to you to eradicate all forms of the virus-like invaders while you're stranded in the wastelands of Se-Da, and restore peace to your home world. To perform this extermination you are equipped with different weapons. The weapons include guns, missiles, and bombs. At your disposal you also have the necessary defense (shield), and special weapons (Shockwave, Missile Spread, Gravity bomb) that will make the job all the easier. As you progress, and collect energy left behind from the BIOC invaders you will be able to upgrade your Aero in multiple ways (Life, Damage, Energy Collection Boosts ...). Keeping your ship upgraded will help you survive the many waves of 25 different enemy types, and the 4 bosses that inhabit Se-Da. The odds are stacked against you in your quest to destroy the enemy, but all hope is not lost ... yet.

Compromised is a game that uses simple controls, and focuses more on the challenges within the game. While I would say this game is probably geared toward more advanced shmup players, it's still something that newcomers to the genre could pick up on, and figure out. Like most dual thumbstick shmups this one relies on the use of the (Right Thumbstick) for movement, and the (Left Thumbstick) for firing the standard gun. Thrown in the mix are a few other controls that operate the firing of missiles (RB), and the laying of bombs (LB). The (X, Y, A, B) buttons are used for special attacks, and a shield that can be activated once you have collected enough energy. Overall the layout is very user friendly, and allows you to focus on the more important things that are going on.

The art style in 'Compromised' is a lot like the classic 16/32 bit 2D Konami games. I think 'Super Soul' actually outdid Konami with their visual presentation though. Their attention to detail is truly spectacular to behold. Even the special effects during the game are grand in nature. You'll encounter things such as bloody looking sprays that happen every time an enemy is destroyed, or even the destructive effects of the surrounding environments. When it comes to the individual bosses, and enemy spacecraft 'Super Soul' has created something that not only looks impressive, but that also functions properly. The enemies aren't just eye candy in this game, but are very intelligent AI opponents who try their best to keep you from your goal/s. If you happen to have an HDTV as I do then you'll find that this game looks truly amazing. It has some of the most stunning visuals I have seen in an XBLIG title yet.

In closing I can't recommend this game enough. Sure it has a 240 msp ($3) price tag, but believe me it is worth every point. The game presents a worthy challenge to any fan of the shmup genre, and does so in a visually impressive way. The boss fights are massive, and will take more than brute force to defeat. There's definitely some thinking required when taking the monstrous beasts on. Aside from that the levels are large in scale which is always a plus. The game currently only offers a campaign mode, but there is future DLC coming that will give the buyer/player a "Survival", and "Hoard" mode. This will add some serious replay value to the game, and the awesome thing is the DLC will be free! If you haven't bought this game yet I strongly suggest that you do. You'll be missing out on an awesome indie game experience if you don't.