Similar to the single player adventure mode is a couch co-op adventure mode for four players. It features ten levels of similar nature to the single player, but with a few key differences. The biggest is you won't find any of the crazy 3D shapes here, instead most are limited to a 2D playing field whether it's a square or circle. What you will find though are levels balanced for multiple players. When playing with my partner we had to apply divide and conquer like tactics to complete and reach the scoring goals or create inventive ways to maximize our multipliers.
With only ten levels to play though you can very easily beat it in one sitting, though the boss battle is quite challenging. The scoring works differently too, with each player's multiplier being reset by a death and the total score being combined by the aggregate of all players. This retains some individuality in the levels and also requires all players to be on point to complete the higher point objectives.
I've used the word simplicity numerous times and I really feel like Geometry Wars 3 is trying to do too much. The visuals, while gorgeous, can be distracting during long sessions. When the screen gets really busy it's dang near impossible to see your ship in the chaos. I actually found myself turning down the detail level to low on the PC (an option not available on the console) just to clean things up a bit.
Geometry Wars 3: Dimensions isn't a bad game by any means. But as someone who really enjoys the classic game play, all of the other elements added are just filler. This is the most complete game in the series with just about every style of Geometry Wars objective you can think of for a twin stick shooter. There's plenty of leaderboard integration into the game if high scores are you're knack, but you can always just kick back and enjoy the light show.
Verdict
Co-Op Score
Overall
The Co-Op Experience: Up to four players team up through 10 challenging levels designed solely for co-op play. Teams attempt to achieve star goals with individual multipliers, but combined scores.
Co-Optimus game reviews focus on the cooperative experience of a game, our final score graphic represents this experience along with an average score for the game overall. For an explanation of our scores please check our Review Score Explanation Guide.