Space Moth DX is an interesting game, to say the least. The “Bullet Hell” genre isn’t quite as popular as it once was, but there are a few games that certainly stand out. Space Moth DX is definitely one of these games and it does the genre justice in the quality and fun that it brings to the player. The game plays as great as it looks, and that is certainly saying something because this game looks fantastic.
Space Moth DX is positively difficult (and I even played on the easiest setting). This isn’t necessarily a bad thing though, as it is the endearing quality for games in this genre. It is meant to take multiple playthroughs of levels in order to complete them. If that is something that you don’t enjoy in a game, then it may be a bit of a struggle to play, and even to complete, Space Moth DX, but I would still recommend giving it a shot. I may have died a lot, but I was enjoying every second of it. Space Moth DX doesn’t really have any cheap deaths. Things may get difficult but they never feel unfair. That is, things may get intense but they never become unmanageable. If anything, it just adds to how addictive this game was; every time I died I knew why and it drove me to continue playing, try-after-try.
The presentation is lacking in some areas, but what is here is polished with both love and time. There were a few wishes I had for this game and I’ll get to them later, but I first want to cover what is part of Space Moth DX. Good game design can be difficult to have in a game. Many genres have an unwritten checklist that needs to be covered in order for games to be in that particular genre, so it can be easy to make a poor or average game in many genres. I feel that this is especially true for games in the platformer, shooter, RPG, and Bullet Hell genres. As long as you include certain things, then it can be easy to develop a game and sell it in those and other genres. I always feel that it is especially impressive when games in the ‘easier-to-make but harder-to-master’ genres are extremely well made. Space Moth DX isn’t at the top of my list for Bullet Hell games, but it is definitely on my radar for “great games”, as it has a lot of potential.
The game design for Space Moth DX is almost top notch; it does so much right but there is just too much missing. The speed of enemies and how they maneuver are both difficult but fair, and this adds credibility to the gameplay and difficulty. As I mentioned before, every death in this game is reasonable. The enemies move in a way that can be challenging to avoid but it is possible to maneuver around them and kill them with precision. The feel and control of your Space Moth seems precise and deliberate in all of its possible movements. This absolutely helps this game shine. Space Moth DX is fun to play and it all feels extremely smooth and easy to control. It does this while looking sharp and graphically beautiful the entire time.
Space Moth DX is a marvel to the eyes while you play and there were many times that I found myself dying because I was distracted by the visuals surrounding my moth. The environments feel like you truly are an insect waging war against other insect enemies. It not only helps with the immersion and suspension of disbelief but it also just looks great. Plants have light and colorful-looking textures and insects looks fuzzy and vibrant. With this game, I wouldn’t mind passing a controller back and forth with my wife, not only due to the immense difficulty and the fun that is had in dying and retrying, but also in just how great the game looks and sounds. Explosions and enemies dying right in front of you are fun to witness and I looked forward to watching the deaths of bosses. The visuals of this game are a must-see and the sounds are just as important and well executed.
Sound effects and music are extremely important for a game that is arcade-like in nature because they are accompanying the player on a journey that is pure gameplay. In these kinds of games, there is no story or character interactions to communicate with the gamer the intent and/or atmosphere of the game. There is only the gameplay and what you see and hear. Bad music and annoying sound effects are almost game breaking for arcade-style games. You’re going to be doing an awful lot of shooting and without a good soundtrack you won’t feel properly motivated – or you’ll turn it down and listen to something else which can affect your overall immersion in the world the developer has invited you into.
Luckily, there is nothing to worry about: the soundtrack of Space Moth DX is wonderful and it reminded me of games such as Centipede (the remake/reboot on PlayStation and Dreamcast) in the always-moving-forward beat and the atmospheric, yet chaotic, symphony that surrounded me. I loved playing this with headphones on and I think many other gamers will too. I don’t know if the soundtrack is available for purchase, but I will definitely be checking to see if it is. Space Moth DX sounds great and the gameplay is better for it. It isn’t anything revolutionary, but it absolutely gets the job done. The sound effects are also perfect. They don’t distract or detract from the experience by being too much or not enough. It is perfectly in the middle where the experience is supported by what you hear as you react to all the madness around you.
I don’t have a lot of complaints for Space Moth DX. I had a blast with it and will most likely end up playing it again in the near future. I do wish that there were more compelling reasons to play other than progression and the score. I wish there were more unlockables and just a little more variety in the enemy design. This minor complaint didn’t hurt my time with the game, but I just wish there was more here. The price is right though, and I’m sure with future releases the developer will address these criticisms and more by improving on their formula.
Space Moth DX is great gaming experience and will keep even the most experienced of gamers busy for at least a weekend and they’ll have a lot of fun for a small amount of money. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to try to buy the soundtrack so I can feel like a Space Moth wreaking havoc while I’m driving down the road.
A PC review code for Space Moth DX was provided by Black Shell Media for the purpose of this review