Space Invaders Forever | PS4 Review

Space Invaders once again returns to the forefront of gaming in what can best be described as a variety bundle. Including previously released, and never before released titles it brings to the player three significantly different ways to experience Space Invaders. This includes 'Space Invaders Extreme', 'Space Invaders Gigamax 4 SE', and finally 'Arkanoid vs Space Invaders'. Each of which are mildly derivative of the original's base mechanics. With 'Space Invaders Extreme' you get a flashy arcade-like shmup in the vein of the original but far superior in the way it handles shmup combat, and scoring. Utilizing chain scoring tied to different accomplishments such as color focused kills, and column kills alongside intermittent waves of bonus rounds, fever rounds, roulette rounds, standard waves, and boss battles you will be fighting others on a global leaderboard for top score. Modes of play include 'Arcade', and 'Free Play'. Arcade mode being a path based playthrough similar to that of Darius which takes end rankings in account for path progression, and Free Play being the single stages unlocked from the arcade playthrough that can be revisited for perfection sake.

Up next is "Space Invaders Gigamax 4 SE", and it can best be compared to the classic, but in such a way as to be a simultaneous 4-player experience with a wider playing field, and more lines of enemies. In this version you'll be facing off against large descending waves as well as large bosses with up to three other friends locally in an attempt to speed your way through each stage, and each wave. Clearing out all invaders as you do so in the most efficient manner possible. Playthroughs are limited by lives, and offer players the usual wear away shields to hide behind for a limited time. A shield for each player. Player ships are color coded, and even the invaders harbor a variety of different colors.

Lastly we have the most unique entry in the bundle, and it is "Arkanoid vs Space Invaders". This brick breaking shmup hybrid not only combines the power-ups akin to the Arkanoid series as well as the bricks themselves, but also features shump play of the Space Invaders kind. In it you will be facing off in stages as the pilot of a ship named Vaus as you clear the enemy threat for Sector 9 through the Arkanoid mothership. This ship just so happens to be the pong paddle with which you will ping enemy bullets back at them to destroy them in a race against a limited timer. Between you, and the invaders are bricks in different arrangements which change the approach per stage. Some are indestructible, or require different methods to clear so that you can reach and destroy the intended invaders targets. 

Outside of the base gameplay loop you'll find that there is a narrative driven story being told by the space station's captain Nadia. Nadia begins by cluing you into how things work through a hands-on tutorial. This includes a tutorial on the base touchpad movements, character skills, and power-up items that you can purchase using coins you earned during play in order to give you an extra advantage at the start. The stages you'll be clearing follow a winding pathway with wave focused stages ending with a final boss encounter stage at the end of it all. The series of stages are themed after different worlds, and change the theme accordingly. By clearing a stage on normal difficulty you will earn silver medals, and silver medals can in turn be used to unlock characters from various other TAITO games who each harbor abilities that can be used in-game. Things like a wider ship, or faster bullets. If you go back and replay these stages on hard difficulty it will reward you gold medals which in turn unlock access to other special features. In the hard stages, in particular, the time is exhausted more quickly from taken damage making the objective clearing all the more difficult.

The Verdict ...

This bundle is the most varied Space Invaders bundle I've ever seen. From gameplay mechanics to controls, and even to the number of players it offers a little something for everyone. If you are a solo player you get two killer gamers worth having, and if you can enjoy the local multiplayer scene you'll find something fun in the more classical sense. I for one think it's worth the asking price whether or not you aim to go solo or play with friends. It has enough replay value to warrant a purchase, and gives the player plenty of reason to return, and keep on playing.