Game Review #32: Nebulon
In 2009 I began working with Mrs B on her website www.femalegamers.co.uk reviewing the latest console games. Sadly, our other commitments meant the website couldn't continue and we brought it to an end early in 2010. I'll be using this blog to review all the games, recent and not so recent, that I encounter. With Mrs B's kind permission, I'll also be posting some of the reviews I previously worked on, so don't panic if they refer to previous years and months.
Nebulon (2009) (Xbox 360)
If Nebulon had been released back in the eighties it would have been just another example of the dawn of gaming. Releasing a game with a simple – even one dimensional – concept today could easily have been perceived as foolhardy but Dark Omen Games were clearly not swayed and the gamble has more than paid off.
The idea of Nebulon is refreshingly straightforward. Taking place in a grid, you pilot a small but sophisticated spaceship and face a variety of enemy vessels whose only motivation is blowing you out of the stars. The more enemy ships you destroy the more challenging the game becomes but you can call on a delightful arsenal to keep any new threats at bay. In a nutshell that is Nebulon, which on the face of it may not seem like anything special, but once you delve in you will be pleasantly surprised.
Nebulon begins simply with enemy vessels appearing as small, slow moving dots that are easy to pick off. The game changes as your skill level increases so once you've gunned down enough standard ships they will move onto the next level, changing shape and difficulty to keep you constantly on your toes. As your enemies improve you will need to respond by enhancing your weapons. To do so you will need to collect power ups left strewn across the cosmos by destroyed enemy vessels. When you have gathered enough power ups you will be able to take your guns to the next level, improving speed, quantity and range of your gunfire
Nebulon is very much a test of endurance. The grid will become overcrowded with enemy vessels if your shooting is not up to scratch but being too trigger happy will quickly reduce the energy of your guns so a balance has to be maintained. Improving your weapons is the way forward but it is possible to get by with a standard gun though you'll have to resort to some breathtaking manoeuvres to avoid the waves of enemies. Thankfully, these are easy to perform and enhance Nebulon's addictive gameplay.
The one drawback to Nebulon is its one dimensional nature will not suit all gamers. If you are looking for variety or an engaging story then this is not for you. Having said that Nebulon requires only 200 Xbox Live points to obtain, which amounts to less than £2.00, so this is an absolute bargain for what's on offer.
Nebulon is a thoroughly addictive shooter boasting an impressive cosmic backdrop, gorgeous explosions more akin to an extravagant fireworks display and a complementary soundtrack that doesn't intrude on the action. Be warned: once you start playing, you'll struggle to stop.
Final Score: 80%
* Previously published on www.femalegamers.co.uk
