Every Wednesday Microsoft releases one or more Live Arcade games whether it be a Twin-Stick Shooter or a Card based affair, most of them rarely step out side the box. This is where Space Giraffe stands out because to this game the box is a dot.

Gameplay:

The gameplay in Space Giraffe follows a fairly simple premise in that it’s an on-rails (literarily you’re on a shape that you can’t move from) shooter. It then slowly introduces new enemies, each with their own unique abilities to throw you off your rail, over the course of 100 different levels each with its own shape. You’ll soon then figure out that you get to ‘bull’ enemies (Running into them) that are on your shape. Sounds simple enough yet it is difficult to master because of its presentation that it floods your eyes with.

Graphics:

It’s that same presentation that you’ll learn to love but it can be quite tricky, at first, to tell what’s actually going on. While you are moving around the levels rail (A three dimensional shape where your at one end on the shapes rim) shooting and bulling enemies you’ll be induced in colours. The Background is the Neon Light Synthesizer which generates the visualization that you see when you play music on your 360. That was coincidently made by Jeff Minters, the creator of Space Giraffe. Now anyone who has played music on the dashboard knows that the visuals basically trip out. So therefore trying to play a shooter in front of it becomes difficult. Now then make it so everything else graphical in the game distorts around it and also trips out on colours and you’ve got the most confusing graphical interface in game ever.

If any game needs a ‘Strobe Lighting Warning’ this is it. Not only are there Hundreds of bright and almost fluorescent colours on the screen at one time, most of these are constantly changing. This makes Space Giraffe’s initial learning curve very steep and changes its fairly simple game play from basic and straightforward (Not to say it’s not addictive) to overly difficult and confusing.
My main issue with the game is that it’s all constantly happening at once. This kind of stops you from fully enjoying the game. It seems like the game should either have a different graphic option or at least ease you into the experience a bit better by gradually building up the crazy.

Sound:

Taking in mind that the background is designed to confuse and distort and also taking in mind that the background is generated by the beat of a song. Electronica becomes the no brainer choice to complete the psychedelic experience. Although it doesn’t stand out, I can’t imagine many other genres of music working. As you would expect with the Xbox 360’s built in visuals you can have custom soundtracks that will affect the background in the same way it would on the dashboard.

The other various sound effects are totally random ranging from a phone ringing to a cows’ moo. They bare no relation to what’s actually happening on the screen but at this point, why start making sense now?

Longevity:

Not only does the game offer 100 different levels each with their own combination of enemies it does have a hidden ‘SUPER OX MODE’ for an additional 100 levels. Then add achievements and the fact that the game is basically designed for leader boards, Space Giraffe will provide you with hours of fun and that’s not even taking into consideration the few hours it takes to get to grips with it all.

Overall:

Whilst playing Space Giraffe for the first time I noticed that it would be a hard game to demo due to its totally crazy style and its difficulty level. If you can stick with it, you’ll find a fairly deep game with a lot of extra value in it. The fact that it’s only 400 points makes it worth checking out but only if you are willing to persevere.

Space Giraffe offers something that you’ll find hard to find somewhere else, despite that it’s not for everyone. The game offers a very frustrating learning curve but once you pass that you’ll uncover a pretty decent game with a lot of replay value. It’s only flaw are it’s visuals which feels like you’re at a drug-induced rave, it’s just a shame it doesn’t have a chill out mode.