They only take one hit to kill, and
can only damage through contact,
but they frequently attack in
clusters. It’s very easy to get tunnel
vision going and not notice one in
the explosion effects. And that’s a
problem, since three hits and you
lose a life. And you only get two of
those a level. It starts you back
from the beginning of the phase
but using them is best avoided.
The levels are different from what
you commonly see in the genre, in
that they’re small and looping. You
can only face two directions
anyway, though you have full
range of motion laterally. Still, the
game really feels like it’s meant to
be a twin stick shooter like
Vertex Pop’s previous game WE
ARE DOOMED.
An about face is a single button
press away, but you just fell like
you ought to be able to fire on the
Y axis as well. But, since missiles
can be directed on continuous
fire, I suppose that would lessen
their niche.
Graphics are bright and colorful.
Almost too much so. The first
world is very fuchsia, and in that
sense, bright. Many of the enemies are as well.
Things are a little simplistic in form, but that’s
okay. It’s clear where all of the effort went.
The sound is alright. There’s certainly nothing
wrong about it. Sound effects are good enough,
and the synth soundtrack is pretty good.
Nothing, however, really stands out in my
mind. Though that may be because my focus
was on the game itself.
Overall, Graceful Explosion Machine is easily
top of the heap when it comes to indie shmups.
It offers a good challenge without feeling
unfair, as well as a host of ways to deal with
enemies. I can definitely give it my
recommendation without fear. -B. Simmons
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GAMBIT | SEPT/OCT | 2017