GameCube

Chaos Field

So, with all of this stuff going for it, Chaos Field is a game well worth the time of any fan of the space shooter genre, even if it isn't as good of a game as Ikaruga. The only glaring weaknesses it has are the lack of levels full of normal-sized ships and the lack of a multiplayer, but what the game does do it does well enough to make up for those weaknesses. I heavily recommend that fans of the space shooter genre give this game a try, and not just because it and Ikaruga are the only games of its kind this generation on the GCN.

Despite its problems, Chaos Field is still worth checking out if you enjoyed Ikaruga and its predecessors, and aren't expecting more than just another shoot-'em-up that tries to be different but doesn't break the mold. There's no shortage of challenge to be found in this game, and it's got some decent visual effects here and there, but Chaos Field seems like it could have been a lot better with more fine-tuning.

In the end, Chaos Field seems more like an incomplete work, a game that had offers nothing but squandered potential. Sure, it has a few decently challenging battles, different characters with distinctive fighting styles, a simplistic combat system, and all the rest of the things that come standard with any shooting game this generation. However, not even these can save this game from its own mediocrity. The hit detection is more of a miss, the presentation is far below the standards set by so many of the game’s contemporaries, and even the Chaos/Order gimmick could have been fleshed out and utilized far more than what the gameplay offers. When everything is said and done, Chaos Field fails to impress on all levels. Sorry, all you gamers looking for a second Ikaruga for your Gamecubes, but your search will have to continue.

Chaos Field Expanded would be a decent, though not great, game if a little more effort had been spent on balancing the gameplay and adding some more content. As it stands, the game is still far too weird and lean to appeal to anyone but hardcore shmup fans. Those hardest of the hardcore will find some intense moments and unique features to enjoy in this game, though maybe not enough to justify the premium import price.

Due to the lack of shooters on the Gamecube, most players will make comparisons to Ikaruga. Unfortunately, Chaos Field is not nearly as good and will likely only appeal to shooter fans. Recommended for hardcore shooter fanatics, but most of the gaming public can skip this one.

The techno soundtrack is decent, but Chaos Field's graphics are completely forgettable and lacking in detail and imagination. The gaming media loves to refer to games like Chaos Field "old school", but they forgot that old school games were actually fun. This isn't. As a shooter expert, let me assure you that this game totally sucks.