Geon (video game)
| Geon | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Strawdog Studios |
| Publisher(s) |
Eidos Interactive (PSN), UFO Interactive (Wii - North America) |
| Platform(s) | PlayStation 3 (PSN), Wii |
| Release date(s) |
PSN: September 25, 2008. Wii: October 27, 2009 |
| Genre(s) | Arcade |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, Multiplayer |
Geon is a multiplayer-oriented action arcade video game developed by independent software developer Strawdog Studios. The initial version of the game was originally released as "Geon: Emotions" for the Xbox 360's XBLA service in September 2007.
The title has since been updated, improved and was released on 25 September 2008 via the PlayStation 3's PlayStation Store. The Wii version of the game was released on October 27, 2009.
Gameplay
Geon is a fast-paced arcade game that requires players to take control of an emotion-themed cube and direct it around a semi-transparent pellet covered grid. The cube collects the pellets and the aim of the game is to fill the cube with pellets and then deposit them in your opponent's goal. Scoring five 'goals' against your opponent (either human or computer controlled) wins the game.
Each grid has two sides, and the game begins with players being placed on opposite sides of the grid (not opposite ends). Players are not restricted to their 'home' side, and may traverse to the edge of the grid to 'flip' over to their opponents side at any time.
In order to score a goal, each cube must first be 'charged' with energy. This is achieved by collecting small pellets of energy that are distributed over each grid in a manner similar to Pac-Man. Once charged, the player is unable to collect further pellets and must attempt to score a goal by landing on the central goal area on their opponents side of the grid. (Players cannot collect their opponents pellets.)
In order to gain an advantage in the competition, players can collect and deploy 'powerballs' that are available on the grids. The powerball available will depend on which emotion the player selected to play with. In addition to these emotion specific powerballs the Geon cube has a shield and a jump attack, which can be used to disrupt your opponents collecting. Note: The shield and attack are new to Geon and were not in the original Geon: Emotions released for XBLA.
Singleplayer mode features two modes: Duel, where the player faces an AI opponent, and Time Attack where grids are played in sequence and the player must beat the computer and win the game within a target time to win awards and unlock mini-games.
The game features split-screen and Xbox-Live or PlayStation Network-based multiplayer gameplay which allows players to play against one another in the Duel mode, or one of the two multiplayer-exclusive modes: Team Geon, where two teams of two players play against each other in a 4-way split-screen match. The Last Man Standing mode pits four players against each other to score goals. In each round, the last player to score a goal is eliminated.
Emotions
The game is based around a central theme of eight select emotions, each of which have an associated avatar, music track, and powerball advantage. Players must choose an emotion before each game is played. Each emotion corresponds to a powerball; picking up and using the corresponding powerball gives a stronger effect.
Grids
The game contains 32 unique 2-player grids, that reveal a variety of obstacles like loops, bounce pads, lifts, platforms and switches.
There are an additional four grids specifically for 4-player games.