This post has not been edited by the GamesBeat staff. Opinions by GamesBeat community writers do not necessarily reflect those of the staff.
A few weeks ago, Nebulon came out and shoe-horned archiac, single-stick-and-button controls into a twin-stick shooter world. It was fun for the way it forced you to work within its limitations. Killing a single enemy could be an epic and dangerous struggle – your main method of attack was to fly headfirst at them in order to line up a shot.
It seems people weren’t satisfied with this. The new update for Nebulon brings a twin-stick shooting option to the game, making it nearly indistinguishable from Geometry Wars. Still, even with it’s most unique aspect relegated to an alternative control option, Nebulon manages to remain immensely entertaining. The new controls speed up the game significantly, shining light on other aspects that make it unique.
Unlike a lot of 2D shooters, Nebulon doesn’t start you off with a bullet-hose as a primary form of attack. Instead, you begin with a pea-shooter, killing bigger enemies in search of shiny orbs. Collect enough of these orbs and you’ll gain access to better guns. This leveling system adds incentive to replay the game beyond a high score. Needless to say, the later weaponry is worth the effort, and the new controls help you get there faster.
Each control scheme has its own unique crutch, so even after the update, Nebulon isn’t as simple a game as Geometry Wars. Independent shooting controls may make the combat easier, but it also leads to more carelessness with your shots. As you fire for extended periods your ship overheats, leaving you weaponless, with nothing but your dodging abilities for a brief period. It’s a unique dynamic that leads to entirely different kinds of hectic moments.
It’s great to see that Nebulon has held up, despite buckling to the status quo. The new control scheme does indeed add a lot to the game – and if you’re already a Nebulon purist, the original controls are still a button tap away.