Reception
The game received an aggregate score of 55/100 for the Xbox 360 version and 56/100 for the Windows version on Metacritic, indicating mixed or average reviews.[1][2]
Matt Miller of Game Informer rated the game 7.5/10 points, calling it "competent", but held back from greatness by lack of enemy variety or variation in level design. Describing its story as "eclectic and oddly philosophical", he said that the adaptation's strangeness made it interesting. However, he noted that after the first couple of levels, the game became monotonous, and that it did not match the quality of other well-known rail shooters.[4]
Jon Michael of IGN rated the game 6/10 points, saying poor voice acting would have been better than no voice acting due to the difficulty reading the game's story, especially on a standard-definition television. He also criticized the lack of enemy variety, saying that there were only three major types from beginning to end. He called character movement inconsistent, and bemoaned the lack of online co-op, with only local co-op available. While saying it was "tailor-made" for shooter fans wanting a challenge, he found it difficult to recommend even for $10.[5]
Kristan Reed of Eurogamer rated the game 5/10 points, remarking that it was nonsensical to completely ignore the source material, and that while a game of "undeniable excellence" would have made up for the changes, the game's controls were "inelegant". Criticizing the need to pilot Yar and her targeting reticle independently, he called the game's encounters "underwhelming" despite "the occasional nod to the visual minimalism of Rez".[6] Heidi Kemps of GameSpot also rated the game 5/10 points, saying that while it had "great art design", the gameplay was "dull" despite being heavily inspired by Panzer Dragoon, Star Fox and Sin and Punishment. She called it a "prime example of squandered potential".[7]
