Star Raiders (2011 video game)
{{about|the remake|the original game|Star Raiders}}
{{Short description|2011 video game}}
{{Infobox video game
|title = Star Raiders
|image = Star Raiders Coverart.png
|developer = Incinerator Studios
|publisher = Atari Interactive
|director =
|producer = Jonathan Moses
|designer =
|programmer =
|artist =
|writer =
|composer =
|engine =
|modes = Single-player, multiplayer
|released = Windows, Xbox 360{{vgrelease|WW|May 11, 2011}}PlayStation 3
{{vgrelease|NA|June 1, 2011|EU|June 29, 2011}}
|genre = Space combat
|platforms =Windows, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3
}}
Star Raiders is a video game for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Microsoft Windows.{{cite web|url=http://store.steampowered.com/app/9970/|title=Star Raiders|work=Steam|accessdate=October 3, 2012}} Developed by Incinerator Studios, it was published in May 2011 by Atari Interactive.{{cite web|url=http://www.impulsegamer.com/360starraiders.html|title=Star Raiders|work=Impulse Gamer|accessdate=October 3, 2012}} It is a re-imagining of 1980's Star Raiders which was the killer app for the Atari 8-bit computers. The remake is an action, first-person spaceship combat game in which the player travels through a starfield in pursuit of the enemy Zylons.{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/star-raiders-2011/critic-reviews/?platform=pc|title=Star Raiders (PC)|work=Metacritic|accessdate=October 3, 2012}} It adds a new storyline, customizable ships, and multiplayer gameplay with several modes.
Gameplay
File:Star Raiders 2011 gameplay.jpg
Star Raiders features a storyline very similar to that of the 1979 video game. The Zylons, an alien race bent on humanity's destruction, are moving their forces towards Earth, and it is up to the player to repel their assault and save the human race. The player's ship is a small space fighter, but with the capability to transform itself to deal with a variety of situations. The forms include these: a dogfighting ship, capable of close and quick battles with other Zylon dogfighters; an assault form that is good at destroying larger, more powerful enemy ships; and a turret form, for destroying the largest Zylon ships from the inside.{{cite magazine|last=Lewis | first=Cameron|date=May 11, 2011|url=http://www.oxmonline.com/star-raiders-review|title=Star Raiders review|magazine=Official Xbox Magazine|accessdate=July 11, 2023|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140513091658/http://www.oxmonline.com/star-raiders-review|archivedate=May 13, 2014}}
All of these forms are needed, as the Zylons dramatically outnumber the player, both in numbers and size of their ships. Aside from fighters of similar size, the Zylons have cruisers and frigates to confront the player, as well as their largest ship, the Basestar. Players can defeat the other three types of ships with conventional weaponry, but have to travel inside the Basestar and destroy certain key points to finally eliminate it.
The gameplay unfolds along a galactic map, as players choose which missions they want to undertake to defeat the Zylon threat. Missions involve the players dogfighting with Zylon forces in a variety of settings, from an asteroid field to gigantic space elevators, and end when all the Zylon ships are eliminated. Once the mission is completed, players can return to the area if they so choose, to find ore for upgrading their weapons and shields.
Reception
{{Video game reviews
| rev1 = Impulse Gamer
| rev1Score = 5.0/10
}}
The game received generally poor reviews. Metacritic gave a score of 35 out of 100.{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/star-raiders-2011/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-360|title=Star Raiders Critic Reviews (XBox 360)|work=Metacritic|accessdate=September 30, 2012}} GamingXP said, "Star Raiders gets boring way too quickly and fails to motivate you to play on." Multiplayer.it said, "A mediocre, boring space shooter. Some ideas are interesting, but clunky controls and uninspired visuals makes this title a complete waste."
GameSpot says the game has "woefully inadequate tutorials, dull dogfights, bland visuals and annoying sound effects". One of the main actions in the game, which is destroying capital ships, is described as "painfully tedious".{{cite web|last=Petit | first=Carolyn|date=May 18, 2011|url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/star-raiders-review/1900-6314535/|title=Star Raiders review|work=GameSpot|accessdate=September 30, 2012}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.atari.com/node/3660 Atari's Legendary Star Raiders to be Re-Imagined for a New Generation]
- [http://www.gamespot.com/news/6281815.html Star Raiders blasts off in early 2011]
- [http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/action/starraiders/news.html?sid=6281808&mode=previews Star Raiders Q&A - First Details]
Category:PlayStation Network games
Category:Space combat simulators
Category:Video games developed in the United States
Category:Xbox 360 Live Arcade games