Super Stardust HD

Infobox VG
title=Super Stardust HD


developer=Housemarque
publisher=Sony Computer Entertainment
designer=
released=vgrelease|NA=June 15 2007 [http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/19/sony-unfurls-q2-release-list-for-playstation-platforms/]
genre=Shoot 'em up
modes=Single-player, co-operative multiplayer
ratings=vgratings|ESRB=Everyone
platforms=PlayStation 3
media= Download
version = 4.00
requirements=
input = SIXAXIS, Dual Shock 3
resolution = 720p, 1080i, 1080p (HDTV)
480p/576p (EDTV)
480i/576i (SDTV)

Super Stardust HD is a downloadable game for the PlayStation 3 video game console developed by the Finnish company Housemarque. The game objective is similar to the classic "Asteroids" that requires the player to destroy virtually everything on screen combined with a frenetic pace that is more reminiscent of modern titles such as "Geometry Wars". The game itself is an enhanced version of the classic Amiga game "Super Stardust", itself a sequel to the game "Stardust.

According to "Super Stardust HD" worldwide game scores, the game sold about 25,000 copies within the first five days of its release. On July 2 2008, Super Stardust HD became the first PlayStation 3 game to receive a patch that allowed use of Sony's new trophy system.

Gameplay

The objective of "Super Stardust HD" is to score as many points as possible by destroying rocks and enemies. The player controls a small fighter that can move in any direction on a spherical shield surrounding a planet, while simultaneously firing in any direction independent of its movement. The ship is equipped with three unlimited-fire weapons (the Rock Crusher, Gold Melter, and Ice Splitter), a limited arsenal of bombs, and a Boost capability that self-recharges when used. The player can upgrade his/her ship's primary weapons, equip the ship with a single-use shield, earn extra lives and points, and increase his/her supply of bombs, by collecting power-up tokens dropped by certain rocks and enemies. The game is over when the player has lost all of his/her lives.

The planetary shield that serves as the game's playfield is bombarded by waves of rocks that begin drifting in random directions around the planet. Each rock is made of one of three materials that is most easily destroyed by a particular weapon (though all rocks can be destroyed by any weapon). Additionally, various enemies (also susceptible to certain weapons) arrive in waves and attempt to destroy the player by either colliding with or shooting at him/her.

"Super Stardust HD" provides several modes of play, each with their own online leaderboards. The default game mode, Arcade, takes the player through a series of planets, each consisting of five main phases, the last of which is a boss battle. Planet Mode allows the player to play a specific planet in the same way, ending the game after the planet is complete. Both of these modes support both single-player and two-player cooperative play.

The Solo add-on pack (available for download via the PlayStation Store) adds several extra gameplay modes. Endless Mode pits the player against a continuous onslaught of rocks and enemies, gradually speeding up the action over time. Survival Mode challenges the player to last as long as possible while the playfield is filled with indestructible objects. Bomber Mode challenges the player to score as many points as he/she can using only bombs and a single life – primary weapons and the boost ability are disabled. Finally, Time Attack mode challenges the player to complete a planet's worth of rocks and enemies in the shortest time possible - losing a life in this mode incurs a 3-minute penalty.

With the release of game update version 2.40 on the 2 July 2008, Playstation trophy support has been added to the title. This makes Super Stardust HD the first official title to release trophy support on the Playstation 3. A total of 17 trophies are available for the game. However, this patch was almost immediately updated with version 2.41 that fixed a number of issues for some PS3 owners complaining about 2.40 crashing their system.

A new Team Pack was also released on 2 July 2008 which includes the highly anticipated split-screen co-op and deathmatch modes. The pack also offers an additional orchestral soundtrack in 5.1 surround and a ship editor. The Team Pack was available for purchase ingame or via the PlayStation Store before being removed with the 2.40 firmware. It was reinstated on July 15 2008, in a store update after Sony's E3 press conference.

Reviews

* [http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=77354 Eurogamer] (Score: 9/10)
* [http://ps3.ign.com/articles/800/800566p1.html IGN] (Score: 8.7/10)
* [http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3160783 1UP] (Score: A)
* [http://www.gamespot.com/ps3/action/superstardusthd/review.html?om_act=convert&om_clk=tabs&tag=tabs;reviews Gamespot] (Score: 7.0/10)

ee also

*List of PlayStation Network games
* [http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/ps3/superstardusthd Reviews Roundup] at Metacritic
* [http://playfire.com/a/create_widget Super Stardust Gamercard] at Playfire.com

External links

* [http://www.1up.com/do/previewPage?cId=3158563 1up.com: PSN's next shoot 'em up in the vein of "Geometry Wars"?]