For better loot, scan ships before blowing them up.In the 23rd century, humanity has expanded into space, but five bitter factions constantly jockey for leverage. When a mysterious discovery threatens to up-end the status quo, simmering tensions give way to dual-stick-shooter combat.
Want some variety? Change between those five groups any time you like. You can scout minefields as a Consortium trader for one side quest, then chase down smugglers as a Praetorian cop in another. On the other hand, sticking with a faction and earning its trust does have its rewards: as you build a name for yourself, you’ll earn access to that group’s tiered selection of ships. Those beefy rides come in handy during the main story’s tougher missions.
Your ongoing development goes deeper than just ship selection, though. Weapon slots accept everything from rail guns and missile systems to mechanical “Sentients.” These little guys can help or heal you in battle, mine asteroids, and collect loot. Feed them scavenged crystals, and they’ll even level up. Which skills you select for your developing pilot and his helpers can significantly impact how you play, too. Are you a lumbering bruiser with anti-missile countermeasures and super-shields, or a sneaky devil fond of cloaking and death-feigning?
Fusion: Genesis is at heart a twitch shooter with an oversized armory, but its flexibility makes it feel like more, especially once you start duking it out online. Players can call in huge carrier ships and capture supply points in Warzone skirmishes, or earn reinforcements and upgrades while defending a space station from invaders. Okay, so you’re mostly just blasting away at anyone not wearing your current colors, but it’s still plenty addictive.
PUBLISHER: Microsoft Studios • DEVELOPER: Starfire Studios • ESRB: Teen • Multiplayer: 4 co-op and 8 competitive on Xbox Live • ACHIEVEMENTS: Exhausting • COST: 800 Microsoft Points ($10)
+ Responsive dual-stick shooting; lots of ship designs, weapons, and side quests.
+ Diverse faction skills; “Sentient” helpers; fun multiplayer modes.
– Repetitive; missions are often either easy or brutal; upgrade interface isn’t terribly intuitive.
? What’s with the occasionally lengthy load times?
