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Review - Everyday Shooter

PlayStation 3, PC | Pashford | January 23, 2008
Game Profile

Riff: Everyday Shooter

Developer: Queasy Games
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment

Release Date: 10/14/2007

ESRB: E

Genre: shooter
Setting: alternate

It's no secret that the PS3 is still trying to garner positive press and is yet reaching for a wider audience. The library continues to race to catch up and provide the level of variety the consumer has become accustomed to with previous PlayStation systems making any quality titles a more than welcome edition. Everyday Shooter is both a quality title and gaming gem, and is exactly the kind of experience needed to represent the PlayStation brand.

The game, in its basic glory, is a top down shooter you might find in the arcade days of old. You'll spend your time moving across the screen in a free form manner shooting to and fro rather than a continual scrolling horizontal march to the end of the level. You control your little craft through all manner of different enemy fighters as you try and accumulate the highest score possible to make it to the next stage.

Beyond that, you have a combo system that changes from level to level which you must figure out in short order if you are to attain the best score. Once the trick is learned, you repeat it to the best of your ability, so that your high score steadily increases. This allows you to continue on your way armed with new knowledge in high scoring prowess.

That's it really. Sounds like the base idea for something much larger, a way for a shooter to establish itself and then build to something greater, right? Everyday Shooter seems like it has the beginnings of something with more to come. Assuming that would be wrong. Everyday Shooter is a shining example of innovation through simplicity.

The game separates itself from other shooters though a touch of musical flare. The distinction here is that a guitar track will play as the level progresses, and as you destroy enemies and gain power ups, different guitar sounds will ring out and play along with the background score. The added effect of the combo system coupled with the destruction of so many enemies really develops a nice mini-melody as you look on satisfied with your work. There is satisfaction in knowing you were able to create such a neat little tune as a reward for simply blasting your enemies into annihilation.

Added to the overall ambience created by the guitar track and the added bonus of the combo system - which creates cool little sound nuances - are unique visuals for each stage that take on a life of their own. They will shift and change to how you move and shoot on screen. The stage might create a ripple effect in the background, or you will have to very literally destroy an enemy in a certain area in order to get the combo system to kick in to full effect, which creates greater eye candy to really impress.

The levels all set their separate tone with color and sound that make them all thrive charmingly in their own surrealistic way, with the end result creating an incredibly relaxed experience. I would often find myself so enthralled that I would drift, unfocused though the atmosphere being created; and would lose any regard for my little ship's life. I think this was perhaps one of the few times in recent gaming memory that I was still happy even while my character was kicking the bucket.

There is instant replayability with this title, if not to enjoy the games aesthetic touches again and again, then for the games unlockable system. It simply screams multiple playthrough. The score you gain will translate into points for acquiring new ways to enjoy the game. More functional aspects such as extra lives or the unlocking of levels for practice are available, as well as more visually pleasing extras, such as color contrast option, shade inversion, as well as a sketching effect - my favorite. The difference made with these options turned on - with special mention going to the sketch effect - paint an entirely different level to enjoy, without changing the core design. This is a definite nod to the game's overall design of beauty through simplicity, and great replayability on such a small scale.

With the entire game being crafted so well, my few complaints seem almost negligible. More experienced veterans of the shooter genre won't find challenge here. The game does a fine job with difficulty, but doesn't lend itself to the unforgiving nature some would prefer with more hardcore shooters. This game is a pick up and play experience, not a painstakingly difficult shooter a veteran may prefer. The presentation is definitely a casual one, so don't expect anything overly challenging. The only other "complaint" would be that you aren't in complete control of the entire orchestration of sound, which left the impression that given one more little handle on the distinct sound facet, the game could have opened up even further to what would have added to an already euphorically heavy experience.

All in all, Everyday Shooter does so much right with such little to complain about, the thought of recommendation is as easy a task as downloading the game if you are a PS3 owner. Anyone looking for a title from the PSN to sink their teeth into, whether it be a marvelously soothing experience, a great shooter, or just some great arcade fun, go play Everyday Shooter and appreciate the simple things for once.


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About the Author, Pat (A.K.A Pashford)

Just someone who possess an incredible passion for video games. I've been gaming for around 16 years of my life and I'm not slowing down anytime soon. I hate to think about the disrespect gaming might garner from people who only look in from a small window and judge something they know little about. If eveyone just lightened up a little, everyone could learn more, and in turn, just have a hell of a lot more fun with the entire medium. In that way, I just like to kickback and enjoy, rock the virtual world when I can, and keep on moseying on in the real one as well. For Great Justice!

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