Review: Vortex Attack EX (Steam)

by Jim Smale · December 18, 2019

Galaxy is in danger with hostile ships swarming from the opening vortex. Blast enemies with a huge variety of upgradeable ships. Frantic arcade shooter featuring world leaderboards and fun multiplayer mode will keep you playing until all ships are unlocked; galaxies saved.

Pros:

Nice graphics.
109mb download size.
Steam achievements.
Controller support.
Shmup gameplay.
Graphics-fulls reen, visual filter, scan lines, high detail, screen shake, and HW80s.
How to play video.
Leaderboards-online and offline.
Game stats.
Two dimensions–Metal (normal) and Neon (arcade).
Choose any unlocked visual filter before play.
1-3 local co-op support.
10 ships to unlock and each has unique stats.
End of level score breakdown.
Clear unlock notifications.
Motherships-big boss battles.
Actions-shoot and bomb.
Gameplay-shoot enemies and collect white shards which destroy the vortex.
Combo counter.
Can shoot projectiles.
Has a Geometry Wars/Space Invaders vibe.
Short level playtime.

Cons:

Stuck in a weird how to play loop at times as the game doesn’t register me watching the unskippable video.
Delayed menu presses.
Music really doesn’t fit the gameplay.
Small play area.
All bosses feel the same.
Levels get very repetitive and use the same loops and layouts a lot.
Hard to see power-ups and text.
No skill required.
Possible to just farm scores by not collecting shards.
Enemies fade in and out.
Can’t tell what power-ups are or do until you use them.
Little replay value.
Plain looking enemies.
Countdown on the ship selection screen for no reason.

7/10
Graphics - 7/10
6/10
Sound - 6/10
7/10
Accessibility - 7/10
7/10
Length - 7/10
7/10
Fun Factor - 7/10

6.8/10

Summary

Looking at screenshots of the game you are forgiven for a thing that Vortex Attack EX is a Geometry Wars/Centipede looking experience. It really isn’t and is actually just Centipede but with tedious enemy spawns and uninspiring power-ups. I managed to go through the whole game with no stress or troublesome parts. You unlock ships as you go but again they make such little impact that I never changed much. I wanted the game to be more but it’s just a middling experience with more annoying parts than fun parts and the boss fights highlight that perfectly. Overall I played it, didn’t hate or enjoy it, it’s just OK.