Xevious 3D/G
{{Short description|1997 video game}}
{{good article}}{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2024}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Xevious 3D/G
| image = Xevious 3D G Plus.jpg
| caption = Japanese flyer
| developer = Namco
| publisher = Namco
PlayStation{{vgrelease|NA|Namco Hometek|EU|Sony Computer Entertainment}}
| composer = Arcade{{Unbulleted list|Shinji Hosoe|Ayako Saso}}PlayStation
Hiroto Sasaki
| release = Arcade{{vgrelease|JP|May 1996{{cite book |last1=Akagi |first1=Masumi |title=アーケードTVゲームリスト国内•海外編(1971-2005) |trans-title=Arcade TV Game List: Domestic • Overseas Edition (1971-2005) |date=October 13, 2006 |publisher=Amusement News Agency |lang=ja |location=Japan |isbn=978-4990251215 |pages=53|url=https://archive.org/details/ArcadeGameList1971-2005/page/n53/mode/2up}}|NA|1996}}PlayStation
{{vgrelease|JP|March 28, 1997|NA|June 12, 1997{{Cite web |date= |title=Sony PlayStation Available Software sorted by Release Date @ www.vidgames.com |url=http://www.vidgames.com/ps/software/release.html#1995 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19980611181118/http://www.vidgames.com/ps/software/release.html#1995 |archive-date=June 11, 1998 |access-date=December 13, 2023 |website=PlayStation Galleria}}|EU|August 1997}}
| genre = Scrolling shooter
| series = Xevious
| modes = Single-player, multiplayer
| arcade system = Namco System 11
| platforms = Arcade, PlayStation
}}
{{nihongo foot|Xevious 3D/G|ゼビウス 3D/G|Zebiusu Surī Dī Jī|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} is a 1996 vertically scrolling shooter video game developed and published by Namco for arcades. The eighth entry in the Xevious series, it combines 2D-based gameplay with 3D gouraud-shaded polygon graphics. Players control the Solvalou starship in its mission to destroy a rogue supercomputer named GAMP and the Xevian Forces, using two basic weapon types: an air zapper to destroy air targets, and a blaster bomb to destroy ground targets. The game also features destructive power-ups, new bosses, and two player simultaneous play.
When shoot 'em ups saw a revival in the mid-1990s, Namco sought to capitalize on its success with a modernized 3D update to Xevious. One of the first games for its System 11 hardware, it has a techno-infused soundtrack, most of which was composed jointly by Ayako Saso and Shinji Hosoe. The hardware allows the game to have a world much closer to the one established in previous games, with settings such as large, Aztec-inspired structures and deserts being pulled from pieces of conceptual artwork for the original.
Xevious 3D/G was criticized by fans for drastic departures that interrupted the core mechanics, and straying too far from what they felt made the game so popular in its heyday. A PlayStation conversion, titled Xevious 3D/G+, was released a year later and compiled 3D/G with the original Xevious, Super Xevious, and Xevious Arrangement onto one disc. This version received criticism from reviewers for its short length and low difficulty, but praise for its gameplay, techno soundtrack, graphics, and for building on mechanics established in previous games.
Gameplay
File:Xevious 3DG arcade screenshot.png
Xevious 3D/G is a vertically scrolling shooter which replaces the sprite-based format of the original with a polygonal environment.{{cite magazine|title=Protos: Xevious 3D|magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly|issue=92|publisher=Ziff Davis|date=March 1997|page=38}} Up to two players control their respective Solvalou starships (blue for player one and red for player two) that must destroy the Xevious forces and their leader before they enslave all of mankind.{{cite book |title=Xevious 3D/G guidebook |date=May 1996 |publisher=Keibunsha |isbn=9784766925951 |language=ja}} The Solvalou has two weapons: a projectile that can destroy air-based enemies, and a bomb that can destroy ground-stationed enemies. New to this game are power-up items, found in cylindrical stations called "Poladomes" on the ground that must be bombed to acquire them. These include a blue double shot, a green concentrated light beam that cuts through enemies, and a red heat-seeing laser that locks onto any enemy it finds on the screen.{{cite magazine |title=Xevious 3D: You've Come a Long Way, Baby |magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly|issue=94|publisher=Ziff Davis |date=May 1997|page=109}}
The game consists of seven stages, or "areas", including grassy plateaus, large oceans, mechanical bases and outer space. Each area features a boss that must be defeated in order to progress, including the Andor Genesis mothership from the original Xevious. The final stage features a fight with GAMP, the supercomputer leader of the Xevious forces. Much like the first game, large Sol towers can be found by bombing pre-determined spots on the ground, alongside Rally-X Special Flags that award an extra life when collected. Many references to other Namco games are featured as Easter eggs, including a Pooka from the Dig Dug series and a cheat code that replaces both players' Solvalou with Heihachi and Paul from Tekken, featuring their own ending sequences.{{cite web |last1=Savorelli |first1=Carlo |title=Xevious 3D/G |url=http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/xevious-3d-g/ |website=Hardcore Gaming 101 |access-date=17 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190701230313/http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/xevious-3d-g/ |archive-date=1 July 2019 |date=10 December 2011}}
Development
File:Xevious 3D-G promotional render.png arcade game.]]
With the advent of 3D arcade hardware in the late 1980s and 1990s, Namco became a leader in polygonal video games with titles like Tekken, Ridge Racer, and Alpine Racer. Their System 11 arcade hardware, while technologically inferior to other arcade systems, was a hit with arcade owners for its cheap price, which made it easily affordable for smaller arcade chains.{{cite magazine|author=Tokyo Drifter|title=Virtua Fight Club|magazine=GamePro|issue=163|volume=14|date=April 2002|pages=48–50}}{{cite magazine|title=Tekken|magazine=Edge|publisher=Imagine Media|issue=21|volume=3|date=June 1995|pages=66–70}} After a brief downturn in the early half of the decade, the shoot'em up genre was beginning to see a revival with games like RayStorm, G-Darius, and Radiant Silvergun, and were very profitable. Wanting to cash in on this sudden revival, Namco decided to create a 3D sequel to Xevious for the System 11 board, featuring mechanics popular with other shooters to draw in newer players.{{cite book |title=Xevious 3D/G+ PlayStation Soundtrack 001 liner notes |date=20 August 1997 |publisher=Wonder Spirits |location=Japan |language=ja}} Xevious was massively successful for Namco; the Family Computer version sold over one million copies and became a platinum seller,{{cite web |title=Japan Platinum Game Chart |url=http://www.the-magicbox.com/Chart-JPPlatinum.shtml |website=The Magic Box |access-date=23 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190801030711/http://www.the-magicbox.com/Chart-JPPlatinum.shtml |archive-date=1 August 2019}} which gave Namco hope that it would perform well in the market.{{cite news |title=Arcadeview - Xevious 3D/G |url=https://archive.org/details/EdgeMagazineIssue35August1996/page/n101/mode/2up/search/Xevious+3D+G?q=Xevious+3D%2FG |access-date=16 March 2020 |agency=Edge |issue=35 |publisher=Future plc |date=August 1996 |page=102}} The increasing market for arcade game remakes also made the company feel the game would be commercially successful.{{cite book |author1=Mark J. P. Wolf |title=The Video Game Explosion: A History from PONG to PlayStation and Beyond |date=30 November 2007 |publisher=Greenwood |isbn=978-0313338687 |page=142 }}{{cite web |author1=IGN Staff |title=Gaming D¿j¿ Vu |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1998/09/29/gaming-daja-vu |publisher=IGN |access-date=17 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190726201218/https://www.ign.com/articles/1998/09/29/gaming-daja-vu |archive-date=26 July 2019 |date=28 September 1998}}
Xevious 3D/G was produced for the System 11 board,{{cite magazine|last=Webb|first=Marcus |title=Up and Coming Coin-Ops|magazine=Next Generation|issue=21 |publisher=Imagine Media|date=September 1996|page=22}} and was billed as its first shooting game.{{cite web |title=ゼビウス 3D/G |url=https://bandainamco-am.co.jp/am/vg/xevious3d/ |publisher=Bandai Namco Amusement |access-date=17 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190826212645/https://bandainamco-am.co.jp/am/vg/xevious3d/ |archive-date=26 August 2019 |location=Japan |language=ja |date=1997}} It had a heavy emphasis on its soundtrack, with most of it composed jointly by Shinji Hosoe and Ayako Saso. Being her final work for Namco before joining Arika,{{cite web |last1=Kushida |first1=Riko |title=サウンドクリエイター佐宗綾子さんの「椅子を並べて寝た」ナムコ |url=https://www.redbull.com/jp-ja/sound-creator-namco |website=Red Bull |publisher=Red Bull GmbH |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190909153517/https://www.redbull.com/jp-ja/sound-creator-namco |archive-date=9 September 2019 |language=ja |date=2 September 2016}} Saso incorporated a techno-style score similar to her previous work X-Day, and wanted to retain the classic Xevious sound design in the music instead of composing something radically different.{{cite web |last1=Greening |first1=Chris |title=Ayako Saso Interview: Love of Dance |url=http://www.vgmonline.net/ayakosasointerview/ |website=VGMOnline |access-date=16 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190622165252/http://www.vgmonline.net/ayakosasointerview/ |archive-date=22 June 2019 |date=19 May 2010}} She also wanted to convey the concepts of various guest artists that had contributed music for earlier games in the series. Nobuyoshi Sano and Hiroto Sasaki also contributed two pieces each to 3D/G, with the latter serving as the lead composer for 3D/G+, which features an entirely new soundtrack with contributions from Sano, Takanori Otsuka, Keiichi Okabe, Akihiko Ishikawa, Yoshie Arakawa, Etsuo Ishii, and Akitaka Tohyama.{{Cite AV media |title=XEVIOUS 3D/G+ PlayStation soundtrack 001 |date=August 20, 1997 |type=CD |language=JA}} These composers employed similar ideas with the music, many of which have original Xevious tunes blended together with their own pieces.{{cite book |title=Xevious 3D/G+ Techno Maniax liner notes |date=17 October 1997 |publisher=Pony Canyon |location=Japan |pages=1–10 |url=https://vgmdb.net/db/covers.php?do=view&cover=87507 |access-date=17 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200317010604/https://vgmdb.net/db/covers.php?do=view&cover=87507 |archive-date=17 March 2020 |language=ja}}
The 3D capabilities of the System 11 hardware allowed the game to have a world closer to the one established in previous sequels, with settings such as large, Aztec-inspired structures and deserts being pulled from pieces of conceptual artwork for the original. It uses gourad-shading techniques for its graphics.{{cite web |author1=IGN Staff |title=RayStorm |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1997/09/12/raystorm |publisher=IGN |access-date=17 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190429061201/https://www.ign.com/articles/1997/09/12/raystorm |archive-date=29 April 2019 |date=12 September 1997}} Namco chose not to utilize texture mapping for the game, as they felt the realistic style would detract from Xevious{{'}}s futuristic, flad-shaded look.{{cite news |title=Coming Soon - Xevious 3D |url=https://archive.org/details/Computer_and_Video_Games_Issue_188_1997-07_EMAP_Images_GB/page/n29/mode/2up/search/Xevious?q=Xevious+3D%2FG |access-date=17 March 2020 |agency=Computer + Video Games |issue=188 |publisher=EMAP Images |date=July 1997 |page=30}}
Release
Namco demonstrated Xevious 3D/G at the 1996 Amusement Operator's Union (AOU) tradeshow in February, alongside games such as Prop Cycle, Ace Driver Victory Lap, and Namco Classic Collection Vol. 2. Its 3D computer-generated graphics, cinematic cutscenes, and affordable price point were heavily pushed in marketing.{{cite book |title=Namco AOU Amusement Expo 1996 promotional brochure |date=1996 |location=Japan |page=8 |url=https://flyers.arcade-museum.com/?page=thumbs&db=videodb&id=5255 |access-date=16 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190325031648/https://flyers.arcade-museum.com/?page=thumbs&db=videodb&id=5255 |archive-date=25 March 2019 |language=ja}} The game was officially released in Japan on May 1;{{cite news |title=ポリゴンで復活 - ナムコ "ゼビウス3D/G" 基板 |url=https://onitama.tv/gamemachine/pdf/19960515p.pdf |access-date=16 March 2020 |agency=Game Machine |issue=518 |publisher=Amusement Press |date=15 May 1996 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200316220248/https://onitama.tv/gamemachine/pdf/19960515p.pdf |archive-date=16 March 2020 |location=Japan |page=16 |language=ja}}{{cite book|last=Akagi|first=Masumi|url=https://archive.org/stream/ArcadeGameList1971-2005#page/n54/mode/1up|title=ナムコ Namco|work=アーケードTVゲームリスト 国内•海外編 (1971-2005)|edition=1st|publisher=Amusement News Agency|date=13 October 2006|page=53|isbn=978-4990251215|language=ja}} it was only sold as a conversion kit for other System 11 arcade games or Namco-manufactured arcade cabinets.{{cite news |title=AOU Show February 1996 - Namco |url=https://archive.org/details/Leisure_Line_1996-03_Leisure_Allied_Industries_AU/page/n17/mode/2up/search/Namco+Classic+Collection+Vol.+2?q=Namco+Classic+Collection+Vol.+2 |access-date=16 March 2020 |agency=Leisure Line |publisher=Leisure & Allied Industries |date=March 1996 |pages=17–23}} A North American release was published later in the year, released in generic black-colored machines.{{cite web |title=Xevious 3D/G - Videogame by Namco |url=https://www.arcade-museum.com/game_detail.php?game_id=10506 |website=Killer List of Videogames |publisher=The International Arcade Museum |access-date=16 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170613013705/https://www.arcade-museum.com/game_detail.php?game_id=10506 |archive-date=13 June 2017}} The August 1996 issue of Edge magazine listed a European release date as "TBA". It is unknown if it was ever officially released in Europe.
In early March 1997, GameFan announced that Namco was reportedly underway with porting Xevious 3D/G to the PlayStation, in production alongside a conversion of Time Crisis.{{cite news |title=Previews: PlayStation Nation |url=https://archive.org/details/GamefanVolume5Issue03March1997/page/n53/mode/2up/search/Xevious?q=Xevious+3D%2FG%2B |access-date=17 March 2020 |agency=GameFan |issue=3 |publisher=Metropolis Media |date=March 1997 |volume = 5|page=52}} Titled Xevious 3D/G+, it was released on March 28 in Japan.{{cite web |title=Product Catalog |url=http://www.namco.co.jp/cs/list/index.html |publisher=Namco |access-date=1 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970704033837/http://www.namco.co.jp/cs/list/index.html |archive-date=4 July 1997}} Namco demonstrated the game at E3 1997 in North America, presented in conjunction with games like Ace Combat 2, Treasures of the Deep, and Namco Museum Vol. 5, before being publicly released on June 30.{{cite web |author1=IGN Staff |title=Pac-Man in Atlanta |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1997/05/20/pac-man-in-atlanta |publisher=IGN |access-date=17 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200317020031/https://www.ign.com/articles/1997/05/20/pac-man-in-atlanta |archive-date=17 March 2020 |date=19 May 1997}} It was released later in the year in Europe. Alongside a port of 3D/G, it also includes ports of the original Xevious, Super Xevious, and Xevious Arrangement,{{cite news |author1=Substance D |title=Xevious 3D/G - The Battle Enters A New Dimension |url=https://archive.org/details/GamefanVolume5Issue05May1997/page/n43/mode/2up/search/Xevious?q=Xevious |access-date=17 March 2020 |agency=GameFan |issue=5 |publisher=Metropolis Media |date=May 1997 |volume=5 |pages=42–43}} the last of which was previously released in arcades as part of Namco Classic Collection Vol. 1. 3D/G+ also includes a new arranged soundtrack, slight graphical updates, and full-motion video cutscenes in-between levels. Because the System 11 arcade system board was designed after the internal hardware of the PlayStation, Namco had little difficulty in porting it over to the console. The Japanese version of 3D/G+ featured heavy slowdown problems, which were corrected in the North American release. It is compatible with the Namco NeGcon controller.{{cite web |title=ナムコ プレイステーション用周辺機器 - ネジコン |url=https://www.bandainamcoent.co.jp/cs/list/negcon/index.php |publisher=Bandai Namco Entertainment |access-date=11 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190629190542/https://www.bandainamcoent.co.jp/cs/list/negcon/index.php |archive-date=29 June 2019}}
A techno soundtrack inspired by the music in 3D/G, titled Xevious 3D/G+ Techno Maniax, was published jointly by Namco and Pony Canyon in October 1997, alongside Tekken 3 Battle Trax.{{cite web |author1=IGN Staff |title=Get Your Groove On |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1997/07/22/get-your-groove-on-2 |publisher=IGN |access-date=17 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200317014815/https://www.ign.com/articles/1997/07/22/get-your-groove-on-2 |archive-date=17 March 2020 |date=22 July 1997}} It featured tracks from the original game and newly-composed remixed versions. It was released under Pony Canyon's DigiGroove brand of albums, featuring additional extras alongside the music. Xevious 3D/G+ was digitally re-released for the PlayStation Store in Japan on June 26, 2013 under the Game Archives line of classic game re-releases, being available for both the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.famitsu.com/news/201306/26035600.html|title=『スマッシュコート』、『ゼビウス3D/G＋』などナムコの名作5タイトルがゲームアーカイブスで配信開始|magazine=Famitsu |publisher=Enterbrain |language=ja|access-date=2019-03-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150407092105/http://www.famitsu.com/news/201306/26035600.html|archive-date=2015-04-07|url-status=live}}{{cite web |author1=Spencer |title=Mr. Driller G, Pac-Man World And Other Namco Games Waka Waka On To PSN |url=http://www.siliconera.com/2013/06/26/mr-driller-g-pac-man-world-and-other-namco-games-waka-waka-on-to-psn/ |website=Siliconera |access-date=26 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190109011820/http://www.siliconera.com/2013/06/26/mr-driller-g-pac-man-world-and-other-namco-games-waka-waka-on-to-psn/ |archive-date=9 January 2019 |date=June 26, 2013}} It was followed by a North American release on February 25, 2015, alongside several other Namco-produced PlayStation games.{{cite web |last1=Chen |first1=Grace |title=PlayStation Store Update |url=https://blog.us.playstation.com/2015/02/24/playstation-store-update-382/ |website=PlayStation Blog |access-date=26 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190630154945/https://blog.us.playstation.com/2015/02/24/playstation-store-update-382/ |archive-date=30 June 2019 |date=24 February 2014}}
Reception
{{Video game reviews
| Allgame = {{rating|4.5|5}} (PS1){{cite web|last=Green|first=Earl|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141115121636/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=12799&tab=review|archive-date=November 15, 2014|url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=12799&tab=review|title=Xevious 3D/G+ |work=AllGame|access-date=October 18, 2020}}
| CVG = {{rating|2|5}}{{cite magazine|last=Huhtala|first=Alex|date=September 1997|title=Xevious 3D/G+|magazine=Computer + Video Games|issue=190|page=72}}
| Edge = 7/10{{cite magazine|title=Xevious 3D/G+|issue=45|magazine=Edge|date=May 1997|page=93}}
| EGM = 6.625/10 (PS1){{cite magazine |title=Review Crew: Xevious 3D |magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly|issue=97 |publisher=Ziff Davis |date=August 1997|page=52}}
| Fam = 29/40 (PS1){{Cite magazine|url=http://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=7783|title=ゼビウス3D/G＋ [PS] |magazine=Famitsu |publisher=Enterbrain |access-date=2019-03-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151002233201/http://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=7783|archive-date=2015-10-02|url-status=live}}
| GameFan = 66/100{{efn|GameFan{{'}}s review of Xevious 3D/G was by three critics, two who scored it a 66/100 and one who gave it a 65/100.{{cite magazine|author1=Substance D|author2=Knightmare|author3=Glitch|title=Xevious|magazine=GameFan|volume=5|number=6|date=June 1997|page=19}}}}
| GSpot = 6/10 (PS1){{cite web |title=Xevious 3D/G+ Review |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/xevious-3d-g-review/1900-2550302/ |website=GameSpot |access-date=8 November 2018 |date=April 17, 1997 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181109234926/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/xevious-3d-g-review/1900-2550302/ |archive-date=9 November 2018 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}
| IGN = 8/10 (PS1){{cite web |author1=IGN Staff |title=Xevious 3D/G+ |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1997/06/12/xevious-3dg |publisher=IGN |access-date=26 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190506205603/https://www.ign.com/articles/1997/06/12/xevious-3dg |archive-date=6 May 2019 |date=11 June 1997}}
| NGen = {{rating|3|5}} (PS1){{cite magazine|title=Finals: Xevious 3D/G+ |magazine=Next Generation|issue=31|publisher=Imagine Media |date=July 1997|page=163}}
| Play = 72%{{cite magazine|title=Xevious 3D/G+|magazine=Play|issue=23|date=August 1997|page=62}}
| award1 = Silver Hall of Fame
| award1Pub = Famitsu
}}
While Xevious 3D/G saw success in its first few months on the market,{{cite magazine|title=Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25 - TVゲーム機ーソフトウェア (Video Game Software)|magazine=Game Machine|issue=519|publisher=Amusement Press, Inc.|date=1 June 1996|page=21|lang=ja}} it was seen as being inferior to other shooters already on the market, and wasn't nearly as successful as Namco hoped it would be. According to the May 1996 issue of Japanese publication Gamest, Xevious fans disliked 3D/G for straying from they felt made the original game so famous and well-designed, particularly in the inclusion of highly-destructive power-ups and pre-placed enemies, which was a stark contrast from the original's "no power-up" idea and for having different enemies appear as the players got better at the game.{{cite news |title=ゼビウス3D/G |agency=Gamest |publisher=Shinseisha, Ltd. |date=May 1996 |location=Japan |language=ja}} Edge magazine claimed that, aside from a well-made presentation, 3D/G was an average shooter at best, and was not as polished as other games available.
The PlayStation version also had a mixed reception. It was a commercial success with nearly 100,000 copies being sold,{{cite web |title=Game Search (based on Famitsu data) |url=https://sites.google.com/site/gamedatalibrary/game-search |website=Game Data Library |access-date=16 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190424035430/https://sites.google.com/site/gamedatalibrary/game-search |archive-date=24 April 2019 |date=1 March 2020}} and was awarded the "Silver Hall of Fame" award from Famitsu magazine, but was characterized as inferior to the shoot'em up catalog already present on the console. Critics showed distaste towards its short length and lack of variety with its power-ups. Next Generation expressed disappointment towards the small amount of levels, claiming it can be finished in under an hour. GameSpot echoed a similar response, adding that the game's relatively low difficulty made it easy to beat it in a day. The four reviewers for Electronic Gaming Monthly said that the game's weakest point was its low amount of power-ups. Most reviewers also found that the slowdown is so prevalent that it significantly interferes with enjoyment of the game.
Most critics agreed that 3D/G had good gameplay and design. IGN, who showed the most positivity towards the game, adored its gameplay and power-up items for being well-made and fun. GameSpot said that it was a decent shooter with interesting mechanics, and that it felt like a true sequel to the original game. GameFan agreed, specifically praising that it tried to build on ideas established in the original instead of going for something radically different, claiming that it felt like a Xevious Gaiden for this reason. GamePro praised it for keeping the original gameplay of Xevious and the included arcade games, concluding, "While it may not be the perfect PlayStation shooter, 3D/G's heritage and plentiful gaming options make it a winner."{{cite magazine|author=Dr. Zombie|title=PlayStation ProReview: Xevious 3D/G+|magazine=GamePro|issue=106|publisher=IDG|date=July 1997|page=88}} Computer + Video Games and Next Generation specified that the game had great gameplay and expanded on the core concepts established in its predecessors in a way that made it feel fresh and new. Famitsu favorably compared the game to RayStorm for its gameplay, but that at heart it distanced itself from what made the original Xevious arcade game so successful in its heyday. IGN described the graphics as "Gourad heaven" and beautiful to look at. GameFan said that the simplistic-looking artstyle gave the game a cool, retro look to it, which Computer + Video Games agreed with. Several also complemented the addition of the other Xevious games, which IGN and GameFan claimed made the game worth the admission price. Electronic Gaming Monthly and GameSpot, by contrast, both argued that they felt more like a necessity due to the short length and quality of 3D/G. GameSpot in particular wrote, "The fact that Namco put all of the older Xevious titles on the disc is certainly admirable, but after playing 3D/G for a while, it becomes apparent that it was more of a necessity than anything else." The game's techno soundtrack and responsive controls were also the subject of praise.
Retrospectively, Hardcore Gaming 101 argued that 3D/G lost much of the charm that Xevious and its early sequels possessed, and that it felt more like a nostalgic homage than a proper, true sequel to the original. They said that the game suffered from bland visuals and dated gameplay, but that the techno soundtrack by Sayo and Hosoe made it worth playing anyway. Retro Gamer magazine delivered a much different response, praising the game for its evolution of the traditional Xevious gameplay formula for newer audiences. They favorably compared the game to Game Arts's Silpheed for its angled overhead camera and 3D visuals, saying that its fast-paced gameplay and fresh approach made it "a rather lovely remake" of the original. Retro Gamer also stated that its take on the gameplay of its predecessors made it one of the best classic game remakes of the era, concluding with: "The PSone played host to the heyday of the classic-remaker's art (Hasbro's update of Pong, for example, is one of the greatest games of the 32-bit era), and this is a fine example of the form."{{cite news |last1=Campbell |first1=Stuart |title=The Definitive Xevious |url=https://archive.org/stream/RetroGamerIssue031-035/Retro_Gamer_Issue_034#page/n65/mode/2up/search/Tenkomori+Shooting |access-date=27 October 2019 |agency=Retro Gamer |issue=34 |publisher=Imagine Publishing |date=1 February 2007 |pages=64–69}}
Notes
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References
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External links
- [https://bandainamco-am.co.jp/am/vg/xevious3d/ Arcade version website (Japanese)]
- [http://www.bandainamcogames.co.jp/cs/list/xevious3d_g/ PlayStation version website (Japanese)]
{{Xevious series}}
{{Bandai Namco compilations}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Xevious 3D G}}
Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games
Category:PlayStation (console) games
Category:PlayStation Network games
Category:Sony Interactive Entertainment games
Category:Video games developed in Japan