PSN Review – PixelJunk Shooter
Controlling your pod is relatively simple with the analogs providing your trajectory and movement with the fire button in a very familiar place. There is no health or sheild bar, instead mortality is regulated via a heat bar. When you completely overheat the pod tumbles and falls to the ground. Sometimes you can save yourself if there is a means to cool off before you reach the ground.
By default you have the option of rapidly spitting out missiles or you can make use of homing missiles. Homing missiles add more heat and will need to be regulated. Along the way you will encounter a few power-ups and secret areas to mix up the gameplay. Later levels include lava and ice guns as well as armor types that invert or anti-magnetize the pod, each provide for some truly genius gameplay mechanics. The difficulty does ramp up a bit on the last several levels, but the bosses are easily dispatched if you keep your wits about you. If a friend joins you via local co-op the balance definitely falls in your favor as many of the smaller challenges are much easier with a buddy to lend a hand.
Graphics are very cartoon like almost in a Ziggy way and works well with the themes of the game. The game runs at a brilliantly colored 1080p with a rock solid framerate. The fluid physics are the best I have seen on a 2D game and near simulation quality. Water, lava and gases move with realism and offer interesting gameplay devices for each level. The screen transitions add a nice effect in a way that wasn’t available in the games that inspired this title.
PixelJunk is well known for showcasing electronic music talents and shooter does not disappoint. The rhythmic music sounds like a cross between Thievery Corporation and LTJ Bukem. The track selections while electronic have an organic quality work in tandem with the presentation. Most of the sound effects for the game have a very 1980s arcade sound to them that only add to the familiar feel.
Shooter is a great PSN download game with all the trappings of an old school side scroller classic. Yet by the end of the game it left me wanting more. Not just because the game is so well done, its very short. It almost seems there was a focus on delivering DLC. Most people will finish this game in a few sessions, granted that won’t be 100% but you once you beat it you will be revisiting old territory.
« Previous Page | Next Page: Screenshot Gallery »
PlayStation LifeStyle’s Final Score
A fun tongue and cheek experience from start to finish. It’s over way too quickly. |  |
10 Responses to “PSN Review – PixelJunk Shooter”
This was a great game. I would have given it 5/5. It was the first game I got 100% on.
I do agree that it could have been much longer but there will definitely be an encore edition.
You should add in your review that Shooter has YouTube integration.
I really want to like the pixeljunk series but I just cant get into it I dont know why good review though
You should also mention the Home prizes.
I’d still really like to try this out… but i keep forgetting. I’m too enthralled with PJ Monsters
local co-op is fantastic.
[...] Shooter is one of our highest rated PlayStation Network titles and shouldn’t be missed. But if you did, this incentive is should [...]
[...] However, the short run left many hungry for more. If you’re unfamiliar with why, then check out our review here. With the sequel right around the corner, we had some time to test out the game and some of the new [...]
[...] the first PixelJunk Shooter game, you should definitely consider picking it up. Not only is it a great game, but owners of both will get a neat little gift for customer loyalty. I know I can’t [...]
[...] game elements and putting their own twist on it to create a unique experience. When they released PixelJunk Shooter in 2009, it was hailed as one of the best PSN titles of the year by many. This left the team at [...]
[...] the other, not just for the avatars but for the sheer fun and quality of these games. The original PixelJunk Shooter broke the mold of conventional side scrolling shooters by involving environmental puzzles and [...]