Remakes have a special place in video game history. Whether they're direct reboots, sequels with identical mechanics to their predecessors, or completely new IP paying homage to their more notable ancestors, remakes are rampant in all sectors of the video game medium.
Drake Savage falls into the third category, obviously, and I'm glad to say it's everything a remake should be. It uses the exact same controls as does Asteroids with one simple addition: instead of just fending for your life in space until you inevitably die, Drake Savage has set objectives for you to destroy (kind of like Sinistar, but without the terrifying monster or story appeal). As you whittle down their defenses with your special weapon (another innovation), they release more enemies to chip away at your health bar.
The only real con about this game is that there's really no narrative to be found, which I recognize isn't really a flaw, but I can't help but think it makes the game smell a bit of missed potential. After all, the game has already demonstrated its skill of conveyance by getting me to master the controls without so much as an on-screen button tutorial.
I am a huge fan of this game. Maybe it doesn't have a story and maybe it borrows most of its good aspects from an already popular game or two, but Drake Savage fulfills my two main criteria for a truly good game: It's fun to play and it provides a lesson for future game designers. This is a textbook "what-to-do" guide on making remakes. Anyone out there who feels like it's their duty to bring Space Invaders to the next dimension should play this game first. That way, the tragedy of Space Raiders will never have to happen again...*shivers*
Links
https://www.digipen.edu/?id=1170&proj=24671
PS- okay, I confess, I never actually played Space Raiders, but come on...
