Apr 27 2009
Retroshoot: Web Game Review
I will confess: shoot ‘em ups have never been my genre, even if I’ve indulged in them from time to time. I never stood in the arcade, glued to Galaga or Raiden. I suck to this day at Asteroids. But in the two days since I’ve been playing Retroshoot by Armor Games, I’ve been hooked .
Retroshoot is a side-scrolling spaceship shooter with all the basics intact: weapon powerups, special attack power ups, shields, and enemies that just don’t stop coming. It gives a lot of credit to many retro shooters of the day (hence the name), but particularly Galaga.
Retroshoot features great, simple game play - the only control you need to worry about is moving your ship with your mouse, although you can pause the game with the space bar. Your ship’s weapons are set to shoot automatically and consistently: a benefit since the pace of the game is set automatically. Enemies vary from asteroids, aliens, spaceships, and more.
You get three lives in Retroshoot, and if you run out of them, you will have an option to continue with a reset high score. Be careful, though - you only get three continues, and then it’s back to the game screen!
Retroshoot’s graphics are easy and pleasant to look at. Although the game aims for a retro feel with its spaceship and enemy graphics, they are given a soft, neon glow that contrasts great against the dark space background that moves as if it’s alive. Although the screen gets busy very quickly, you can always keep track of what’s going on.
The sound is also a treat. Although the sound effects are simple, they are not a nuisance. Your weapon is muted, and enemies are destroyed with a dull balloon popping sound that makes its own beat as you go. The music is a catchy techno beat that doesn’t go on long enough on one strain to become annoying.
There’s one thing to say for sure: Retroshoot is a great space shooter, for ex-arcade junkies and web junkies alike.
