Geometry Wars 3: Dimensions Review

Developer: Activision
Price: $4.99
Version Reviewed: 1.0.0
App Reviewed on: iPhone 5

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Overall Rating:

Oh Geometry Wars. Every time I think I’m done with you, you pull me right back in.

As you’d expect, you can move your glowy little ship around by way of a lefthand virtual stick. You can also aim your guns by using another virtual stick on the right side of the screen. What’s neat is that you can also ignore aiming entirely and just focus on movement while the ship auto-targets enemies for you. It’s not a perfect system as some enemy types are easier to get rid of if you lead your targets a bit, but it’s a great option to have in a pinch when you can’t split your focus between moving and shooting.

Geometry Wars 3: Dimensions is pretty much more of the same. In other words, it’s more Geometry Wars. If that were all there was to it I’d be content, but there have been a few tweaks to the formula that make it more than simply an expansion pack or something.

First, there’s the Classic Mode that provides five different game types to chase high scores on. Deadline requires you to earn as many points as possible before time runs out, King gives you a single life and you can only fire your guns in designated zones, Evolved wants you to score as much as you can with only three lives, Pacifism removes your guns entirely and only lets you destroy enemies by passing through gates (you also have a single life), and finally Waves provides you with one life and tasks you with getting your highest possible score. This by itself could be the whole game, really.

Then there’s Adventure, where you have a bunch of predetermined levels you need to clear - each one with a 3-star scoring system and often with some interesting irregular rules to follow. Adventure also includes boss battles and unlockable (and upgradeable) drones and super abilities to help you out. This also could’ve been it’s own game.

This is also an extremely pretty game, with all kinds of glowing eye candy, lasers, explosions, and those ridiculous (in a cool way) levels that twist and wrap around in odd ways. It can become difficult to translate what you’re looking at when things get hectic - especially on the iPhone - but that’s really part of the charm. That’s also what bombs are for.

Geometry Wars 3: Dimensions is, not surprisingly, a fantastic arcade shooter. It’s gorgeous, accessible, challenging, packed with content, and extremely fun. If any of that sounds like your kind of thing then you should definitely give it a chance.