Space Invaders Get Even Review (WiiWare)

Downloadable Content notice: This game offers add-on content. In fact, the majority of the content is DLC. This review only covers the three stages provided in the main game that costs 500 points; additional stage packs cost 500 points apiece, meaning the full game would cost you 2000 points or $20.

Despite bearing the name of one of the most well known games ever, Get Even plays very differently from the original Space Invaders. This is a good thing however, because this time you play as the titular aliens and it’s your job to rampage through the cities of Earth. Part action, part strategy, Get Even requires you to move your UFO around each stage to avoid attacks, while you aim at the screen using your Wiimote to send out your minions (who all look like very colorful versions of the aliens from the original Space Invaders); they do the attacking.

Flying around is easy, but attacking requires some thought. It’s a point and click interface, though you get to pick from several formations for your troops to use. Direct fire is simple and fast, while homing and pogo attacks will chase after enemies to let you focus on dodging and drill attacks are good against bosses and other durable foes. You can only do so many attacks at once, so picking the right formation is important. Equally important is destroying buildings along the way, since this is how you recover time on your time limit. You can lose by running out of time or by losing all your troops, though shaking the Wiimote and Nunchuk up and down will deploy more troops if you’re in a safe place to do so.

With easy controls and fast-paced gameplay, Get Even is a lot of fun. The only real problem is that it is extremely short; the three stages included in the main game can easily be beaten inside of fifteen minutes or less. Those minutes will be very enjoyable, but whether this game is right for you depends on one major question: How far do your gaming dollars need to go? If you have plenty of Wii Points lying around, then this is a nice choice and you’ll enjoy it. On the other hand, if you have to be very careful with your purchases, then even your 500 points would probably be best spent on another game that will last longer.