Xyanide

When one looks at the packaging for Xyanide, one might think this was a space (inner or outer) combat vehicle with some RPG elements. One might think that but one would be wrong.

Xyanide, an Xbox release from PlayLogic, is essentially an arcade shooter in which players guide a ship through an environment and take out enemies that are trying to take you out. If this sounds a lot like the R-Type series of games, you almost have it nailed.

Initially what was confusing is that the environments swirl past and there is no rotating camera to help keep it locked behind your ship. But then it becomes apparent that there is no moveable camera because there is no need for one. The backgrounds are, for the most part, precisely that – backgrounds. They have little to do with the overlaying action until you come to a juncture at which time you can take a different route through the level.

You pilot your ship using the left thumbstick, and can move horizontally, vertically, diagonally or anywhere on the screen in any manner you wish. Enemies, in the form of small, less formidable ships, and the larger ones that will require some effort and time to dispatch, cycle in and engage you. If you die, no worries, you have several ships you can use until you run out, and then it’s game over … or hit the start button to continue.

The game has two modes of play – level and arcade. Do not seek an evolving or complex story line in level. This mode allows you to replay levels you have unlocked.

The control scheme for the game is very easy to understand, once you get past the visual deception. (That deception being that this is more or less a 2D fighter with some 3D environments and effects.) Each ship has a couple of types of guns, including a beam that can fire in a chosen direction rather rapidly, and a spread shot. The direction of your shots is controlled by the right thumbstick, which aims the cannon.

Power-ups are available and there are four types of specials that can be applied to your ship, if you are charged up enough to use them. The specials are offensive, defensive, shielding and support (the latter is a way to elude enemies). Some enemies will leave behind shards of Xyanide, which will allow you to mutate your vessel. There are two mutation paths – mechanic and organic, and each has more to do with offensive capabilities that anything else, it seems, though if you go organic, you can’t damage the bigger ships, but do seem a touch faster and able to elude their attacks easier.

The sound of this game is minimal and while the graphics are very nice, rich and colorful, the game feels a little light at times.

The game does support two-player multiplayer, and you can use Xbox Live to check out your scores against other players.

From the preview/demo version of the game received, Xyanide does not appear to be an overly-deep game, but may just fit the bill if you have 10 minutes here or there and are looking for a title that does not drag you in for hours. It is a light entertaining vehicle, with solid graphics, and a simple control scheme.

This game is also slated to release on the GameBoy, N-gage and mobile gaming platforms.