Similar to the original Galaga (which is also available on Xbox Live Arcade), your job in Galaga Legions is to shoot bug-like creatures known as Galagans. Of course, that's easier said than done, since they come at you in waves. We're talking hundreds of enemies on the screen at once, coming in from all directions.

Thankfully, there's help. Before starting a game, you choose between manual and auto fire, a welcome addition. One new technique introduces two multi-directional cannons that you can place anywhere on the screen and leave them firing. These two additions should help diehards who don't want to wear out their precious trigger fingers.

Fortunately, you don't have to shoot each one to eliminate them. Simply take out the distinguishable "bomb" Galagan and the rest will perish. As each stage passes, the difficulty increases, with even more enemies and boss Galagans posing a threat to your survival. Thankfully, Legions never becomes impossible. It's the kind of challenge you grow to appreciate, not loathe.

This is just a sample of the game's charming chaos. Click to see more images from the game...

Furthermore, you can also align Galaga forces with your own. Simply shoot the "black hole" Galaga to suck them into a temporary vortex and they'll sit right alongside you, blasting away at their own kind. This effect is temporary (they're dead after one hit), but it puts a neat spin on things.

There's not much depth to the game, as there are only five stages. However, the online Leaderboards will give you fresh competition. You have the option of playing any stage in a Championship mode for a high score, or you can dominate its Adventure mode. On top of that, there are 12 Achievements available, as well as three skins (regular, vintage and ancient) that change the look of the on-screen enemies. Our personal favorite is "vintage," replacing the new-fangled Galaga look with classic arcade sprites.

Visually, Galaga Legions looks great. The backdrops are magnificently designed, from star-studded skies to cool-looking asteroids. You'll barely have time to view them, though, as the barrage of Galagans constantly flood the screen. The sound is great too, with remixed Galaga themes and a female announcer giving you a heads-up on what's coming your way.

Multiplayer would've been cool, along with the ability to play the original for no extra charge. Aside from those complaints, Galaga Legions is another successful XBLA game. We hope publisher Namco Bandai continues reviving its classics, namely Dig-Dug and Pole Position. But for now, we're more than happy blasting aliens.

Related Links

Galaga Legions Game Guide

Namco Bandai Games

Our Final ScoreGood

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