Psyvariar 2: Extend Edition plays well and provides a welcome bit of 2D shooting action to the Xbox library. The massive explosions, which are part and parcel of boss fights in the series, are equally slick and pleasing to the eye. The mix of 2D graphics and assorted special effects make for a flashy package that's never more satisfying than when the entire screen is chock-full of bullets and enemies. The graphics in the game are arcade-perfect and flow like butter on the Xbox. Imagine a cross between Burnout 3's against-the-flow-of-traffic driving dynamics and a shoot-'em-up. Psyvariar's unique gameplay twist comes from the evasion system and your ability to temporarily power your attacks when enemy bullets come close. Such a simple description proves to be an equally apt descriptor for the gameplay in Psyvariar, which has you zipping around and blowing the bejesus out of anything and everything that comes your way. Much like all 2D shooters that have hit since the genre began, whatever narrative there is behind Psyvariar can be conveyed by the universal language of shooting everything up real good. The action is set in the future, where you're put into the confines of a powerful mech suit that's armed to the teeth. We tried out a demo of Extend Edition at TGS and came away pining for such 2D action on the system in the States.įor those unfamiliar with the Psyvariar series, there's not much to say about the game's premise. The Xbox version features a harder difficulty, which seems decidedly tough, as well as a remixed soundtrack, among other extras. The game is an enhanced version of Psyvariar 2, Success' top-down arcade shooter.

TOKYO-Developer Success was showing off its Xbox shoot-'em-up both in its booth and in Microsoft's exhibit area at the Tokyo Game Show.