Ultratron Review

From what I've seen so far, Puppygames has a thing for classic gameplay. Both games I have played (Titan Attacks and Ultratron) not only have a classic game feel, they even put in filters that make your classic television look like an oldschool retro arcade machine, complete with scanlines and the occasional rolling picture. 

If Titan Attacks was Space Invaders, Ultratron is Robotron. Name similarities aside, this twin-stick shooter offers the same style of addictive, hair-trigger gameplay as it's spiritual predecessor. As the last functional robot on Earth after humankind has been obliterated by aliens, the only thing left for you is revenge. Utilizing the same upgrade chain as Titan Attacks, where there is a risk versus reward system, this game manages to apply some fresh gameplay ideas to the tried-and-true formula. As you work through the levels, dodging bullets and enemies while annihilating them with your own, perfection results in your bank account slowly crawling up. You can spend cash on extra damage taking ability, or you can save up for some nasty power ups and eventually some assistants to help you take on the horde. The game also features couch co-op, so a second player can get in on the carnage simultaneously.

Like Titan Attacks, there are a set number of levels you have to get through in order to "save" at a checkpoint, and you are left with that last save's cash and powerups to start from. Want to have a better chance? Go back and see if you can do the last set better. Upgrade that little pea shooter into a massive cannon by avoiding hits and saving up your cash for those big expenses, and you may fare a better chance.

While I love the retro feel to the screen filters, they may have taken them a bit far, as I truly got nauseated by the screen roll a couple of times when I forgot it was coming (usually in between levels). Thankfully, that is an option you can tone down or turn off, so you can have your scanline-less crystal clear action if you so desire, as well.

In review, the game is a lot of fun, though the start up comment of "Prepare to Die" couldn't be any more true. It provides for a fun blast of twitch arcade gameplay, much like I described in my review of Titan Attacks. I can tell how much Puppygames loves it's retro, and I love how they can bring back the classics. Ultratron is currently on sale for $9.99 on all home consoles. 

Final score: 4/5

Thanks to Curve Studios for providing a review copy.