Chris’s Top Ten Videogames of 2015: #10
Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime
Developer: Asteroid Base
Publisher: Asteroid Base
Xbox One, PC
The Beatles once sang, “All You Need is Love” and that is very much the case in Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime. Although completely bonkers the story is that the universe is peaceful and full of love. The bad vibes of anti-love threaten to destroy everything by making people hate each other and that’s where you come in.
Your job is to take control of a spaceship attempting to restore balance by shooting down the bad vibes. You move your character around the ship which has 4 gun turrets, a shield, a powerful gun which has to charge and rotates around the ship, a map and of course you fly the ship itself. How on earth can one man do all of this? Well this is what sets Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime apart from other conventional shooters. In single player you have an AI character, which when selected, fractionally slows down time whilst you give it orders as to which component of the ship you want it to control.
Where the game really comes into its own and what I absolutely love is that it is best enjoyed in couch co-op. Working with another player to pilot the ship, control the guns and generally try not to lose the plot panicking is one of the best experiences I’ve had in recent times. There is no online option and I think this is a smart move from the developers, as working together locally really makes this a special experience.
Trust me when I say, you will have to coordinate your efforts as Lovers in a Dangerous Space Time is punishingly difficult in places. There is the option to upgrade your ship to help you out, and you get to decide where to place your new power ups.
The graphics are bright and colourful and make a change from the usual dreary colour palettes you find in some games. The soundtrack is also excellent which perfectly matches the kooky story and frantic gameplay.
Lovers in a Dangerous Space Time continues the trend with other great couch co-op games such as Nidhogg and Towerfall Ascension and comes highly recommended.
Review by Chris (co-host of 60 Minutes With and The Same Coin)
