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Geometry Wars 3: Dimensions

Geometry Wars 3: Dimensions

The return of one of the greatest arcade shooters of all time comes with a twist. Does it come with a bitter taste? We enter the third dimension to find out.

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The announcement of Dimensions was a surprise for us. And one we immediately knew was a risky proposition. While we were glad that the Geometry Wars series would continue, we were more worried what'd result from someone else developing it since creator Bizarre Creations dissolved. It seems some of that team were worried as well, which is why when some ex-staff formed Lucid Games, they decided their first project would be the continuation of the purebred shooter.

While part of the same franchise, Dimensions isn't a direct sequel. Likely Lucid Games had the same question we all did in the wake of Geometry Wars 2 launch - how can you better it? The answer is: you don't. Instead, you try and take the concept in a different direction. Consider Dimensions then a sub-series then. Some things are similar, but there's plenty that's different. The clue's in the name.

Rather than keep to the square level grid (though that will reappear) Lucid are dropping your lazer-firing avatar onto a series of levels built around different three-dimensional shapes, the overhead camera tracking your ship as it freely travels round them. You'll power through these levels in the game's main single-player mode, Adventure. The progression is visualised as a colour-coded pathway through a map grid. Each level square will flag up scores and challenges when selected, and completion and an attempt to hit a three-star rating (reminiscent of many mobile titles) will unlock the next stage. There's 50 reported for the game, but the map's design is such it'd be easy to drop new stages through post-launch DLC.

Geometry Wars 3: Dimensions
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Enemy types are carried over from previous games, and newer ones have been added as well. Stages will also have unique threats. The cylinder level we see grows red walls randomly, deflecting your shots and limiting your escape options from pursuers. You've additional aid alongside your screen-wide super-bomb this time round, in the form of a different supers as well as helper drones that can either attack, ram enemies or defend you. This direction makes the game feel as if it's veered towards Super Stardust territory in design, and we're not sure how to take that.

It's early days yet, but visually the game currently lacks the warm neon glow that made Retro Evolved jump off the HDTV screen, while the camera placement feels too far out from the action. Proof will be in the play, and we're glad to hear Lucid are rolling in notifications when you log on, level squares glowing to indicate if someone on your Friend List has beaten your score. Geometry Wars 2's main menu is still the best implementation of leaderboards we've seen - stacking up the top five current scores for each mode in one easy to read grid and letting you drop right into any game mode. Hopefully we'll see something similar in Dimensions, as it'll also incorporate co-op and online multiplayer modes, so there'll be plenty of modes to keep track of.

It's currently due for release on PC, PS4, Xbox One, with other platforms possibly being considered (we've little doubt it'll appear elsewhere). Our time was the barest sneak peek that just highlighted the basics: there are a lot more reveals and announcements to come apparently.

Tinkering with one of the greatest shoot ‘em ups of all time was always going to cause our stomachs to churn in concern, but at least those behind this new version include ex-members of both Bizarre and Studio Liverpool. Blur and Wipeout devs joining forces and sharing ideas for a new shooter? That at least gives us hope for Dimensions. Fingers crossed.

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Geometry Wars 3: Dimensions
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Geometry Wars 3: Dimensions

Geometry Wars 3: Dimensions

PREVIEW. Written by Gillen McAllister

The return of one of the greatest arcade shooters of all time comes with a twist. Does it come with a bitter taste? We enter the third dimension to find out.



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