Super Destronaut DX Game Review – A glorious, addictive and fun trip down memory lane
Super Destronaut DX is a must-buy!
SD:DX is a top down retro “Space Invaders” style game that’s simply wonderful to play.
It’s basically Space Invaders on steroids but don’t let that put you off, this isn’t a bad thing at all!
Developed by Petite Games and published, once again, by the console kings Ratalaika Games. Super Destronaut DX is a welcome trip down memory lane. Reminiscent of Space Invaders for sure but being unique enough to hold it’s own and establish it’s own mark on the genre.
Gameplay
Gameplay is fairly simple. Anyone who’s played Galaga will know exactly what to do here. X to shoot, go left and right and try not to get killed. However, Super Destronaut DX’s unique take on it is where it really shines!
In each wave (most waves of enemies not all) there will be a yellow “boss” alien. You shoot that alien and you get a power up, like rockets or triple bullets. The trick being to know when to go after the “boss.” Other than having more HP and a uniquely shaped attack it’s no different to the regular aliens. So you need to decide if you’re going to risk an offensive strategy and kill the boss early so you can have the power up to clear the rest or wait, kill it last and use the power up for the next wave of aliens.
I’ve been in so many situations where I’ve eneded up struggling more than I should’ve against a wave of aliens because I made the wrong choice and got the power up too early. Didn’t stop me from getting addicted though.
Game Modes
The game also has 4 modes in the original and 5 in the intruders edition set. The add on for the limited edition set is Multiplayer, which isn’t in the original digital release.
The game modes are; Challenges, Time Attack, Classic and Hardcore.
Challenges is probably the most exciting. Basically you’re given a set challenge to do like “collect 3 power ups” and you have to do it before you run out of lives. They get progressively more challenging and it’s fun to get them all checked off the list.
Time Attack is again exactly what it sounds like. You get a certain amount of time to get the highest score possible.
Classic is just the basic game.
And Hardcore is the basic game but much more difficult.
Overall thoughts
I genuinely love this game. Maybe it’s because I was, and still am obsessed with Space Invaders when I was a kid. Maybe it’s just the simplicity of it that charms me. All I know is that I could play this game for hours and never be bored.
It really is a gem and I would reccomend it to everyone and anyone who likes these sorts of retro games.
The gameplay is smooth and simple yet bright and addictive. There’s no deep lore or story to get into but honestly the game doesn’t need that. In fact, if they had shoved some ham fisted story into it I probably wouldn’t have liked it as much because it would’ve felt forced.
The game works because of it’s simplicity not in spite of it and I think it’s an often overlooked masterpiece.
