Full of creepy crawly ticks, spiders, and other bugs that infest yo mamma’s mustache hair, the Centipede / Millipede arcade game is ready for download via Microsoft’s Xbox Live Arcade. With both retro and “evolved” versions of each game, this title has lots to offer.
With both retro and “evolved” versions of each game, this title has lots to offer.
Both games offer older gamers the retro thrill you’d expect – the coin-op graphics and sounds are all there, and bring back memories of dark arcades and rolls of quarters that dwindled all too soon. However, the place where these shooters really shine is in their HD-upgraded “evolved” versions. Gamers will find the vibrant, trippy upgrades to the classic visuals a welcome addition. The spider looms larger, the archer (your character – who knew?) actually resembles some sort of bowman, and explosions leave lightning-bug-on-the-windshield splotches that linger, temporarily blinding your view of the area of a recent kill. Some of the explosions are really over the top, reminiscent (maybe too much) of Geometry War’s hallucinogenic eye candy.
This game doesn’t offer much achievement variety for those looking to add 200 points to their gamerscore, but mostly concentrates on beating the set ‘high scores’ on the built in (local) leaderboard, pushing you to play just one more game to get your initials on top of the screen. The challenge is significantly boosted when playing in “throttle monkey” mode. The crazy speed of this mode makes it nearly impossible to stay alive, as the spider swoops in so quickly, luck plays as significant a factor as skill. While fun, I imagine “throttle monkey” was the title they settled on after discarding such politically incorrect ideas as “crack baby on acid” and “trailer park tweeker.”
Unlike many XBLA retro ports, Centipede and Millipede do not suffer from the use of the Xbox controller. The analog stick is responsive, and the only button you’ll need – A – works just fine when rapid firing.
Morgan Webb (of G4’s Xplay) has said that retro games are only fun if you played them the first time around, and I tend to agree. The Centipede and Millipede two-pack may be an exception, however. The timeless frantic shooter game play along with the updated graphics and sound make for a fun game more than a few younger gamers will thrill at playing. Those of us old enough to remember lining quarters up for ‘next game’ will likely enjoy more than a few hours of trying to beat the high scores in this one. For $5, I’m in.
Both games offer older gamers the retro thrill you’d expect – the coin-op graphics and sounds are all there, and bring back memories of dark arcades and rolls of quarters that dwindled all too soon. However, the place where these shooters really shine is in their HD-upgraded “evolved” versions. Gamers will find the vibrant, trippy upgrades to the classic visuals a welcome addition. The spider looms larger, the archer (your character – who knew?) actually resembles some sort of bowman, and explosions leave lightning-bug-on-the-windshield splotches that linger, temporarily blinding your view of the area of a recent kill. Some of the explosions are really over the top, reminiscent (maybe too much) of Geometry War’s hallucinogenic eye candy.
This game doesn’t offer much achievement variety for those looking to add 200 points to their gamerscore, but mostly concentrates on beating the set ‘high scores’ on the built in (local) leaderboard, pushing you to play just one more game to get your initials on top of the screen. The challenge is significantly boosted when playing in “throttle monkey” mode. The crazy speed of this mode makes it nearly impossible to stay alive, as the spider swoops in so quickly, luck plays as significant a factor as skill. While fun, I imagine “throttle monkey” was the title they settled on after discarding such politically incorrect ideas as “crack baby on acid” and “trailer park tweeker.”
Unlike many XBLA retro ports, Centipede and Millipede do not suffer from the use of the Xbox controller. The analog stick is responsive, and the only button you’ll need – A – works just fine when rapid firing.
Morgan Webb (of G4’s Xplay) has said that retro games are only fun if you played them the first time around, and I tend to agree. The Centipede and Millipede two-pack may be an exception, however. The timeless frantic shooter game play along with the updated graphics and sound make for a fun game more than a few younger gamers will thrill at playing. Those of us old enough to remember lining quarters up for ‘next game’ will likely enjoy more than a few hours of trying to beat the high scores in this one. For $5, I’m in.
