Rigid Force Redux Review (Xbox Series S)

Rigid Force Redux breathes new life into the classic side-scrolling shooter genre with its lovingly hand-crafted 3D models, stunning environments, detailed effects, and an electrifying Synthwave soundtrack.

Pros:

• Decent graphics.
• 1.8GB download size.
• 1000 Gamerscore.
• Shmup gameplay.
• R-Type inspired.
• Full online leaderboards.
• 3 difficulties-easy, medium, and hard.
• 3 game modes-main mission, arcade mode, and boss rush (needs to be unlocked).
• Introduction level for controls and mechanics which can be skipped and replayed.
• Gimmick-as you get power-ups for your guns you can change/move how they work like having a wider arch shot circle or split them to fire front and back or do a more concentrated attack.
• Green orbs-drop from enemies and is used to charge your power shot.
• Attack mode-you move slower but also use a wide radius field to pull in green orbs.
• A run is a set of lives determined by difficulty.
• The main mission-can carry on from the last completed level, has boss fights, etc.
• Upon death, you drop and re-collect all your power ups.
• Pick up new shot types and homing missiles.
• Huge boss encounters.
• Fast-paced.
• Difficult.
• Fun.
• Randomises power-ups and pickups every run.
• Six areas to unlock.
• Arcade mode-pick any unlocked areas and difficultly. Same game but with more emphasis on scoring, you get a score bonus for clearing waves, rescue stranded astronauts, find canisters, and extra lives. Uses a score multiplier that goes up and down. End of score breakdown and rank are given.
• Fantastic soundtrack.
• A lot of fun.
• Endless replayability.
• Bullet hell aspects.
• The ship has health that can be replenished.
• Arcade mode is the best way to play.
• Arcade mode has a lot of visual feedback and a Hud showing your Collectibles/goals.
• Multiple route sections.
• Clever level mechanics.
• Force blade-uses a large chunk of your energy bar but it does a quick swipe and takes out any projectiles around you.

Cons:

• Hard to distinguish power-up types.
• No guide on what power-ups do what.
• Difficult.
• Takes a few runs to get to grips with.
• Harsh collision damage that is really strong.
• Boss fights are really tough.
• The guns you move around your ship are not counted in collisions but that goes against your thinking a lot of the time.
• Can’t rebind controls.
• The small pool of areas and levels.