There are games like Mario which feature endearing characters meant to bridge generational gaps with gameplay designed for even the least savvy gamer. Space Giraffe tries hard not to be one of these games, instead relying on its quirkiness and individuality to find a place in gamers' hearts. From the title alone it's quite clear that this game was never meant to be played by the elderly as they feebly hold controllers in nursing homes. Instead, this game loosely based on Tempest never really flirts with ease or even general likeability. Strangely though, through its psychedelic haze and intense action, there lies a game that can be quite appealing to anyone willing to tolerate both the initial learning curve and insane presentation.

As you move along a plane, the object of the game, much like Tempest, is to destroy the enemies coming at you in rows. However, Space Giraffe takes some significant steps to shy away from that design almost immediately. First, the controls are dual analog, with the left stick moving you around and the right stick firing in multiple directions. Secondly, your giraffe has the ability to "bull" the enemies that reach the top of the plane when the situation has become impossible. This led to death in Tempest, but here, this is a opportunity to quickly multiply your score. There are other power-ups as well, like a weapon that can eliminate nearly every enemy on screen or, if necessary, you can jump off of your "web" and move along uninhibited for a short time. What's interesting about the gameplay is that without the tutorial stages, you may be at a loss as to how to play the game, as they explain virtually every nuance. This is where a learning curve issue may come into play. At times, so much action is taking place that it's difficult to really focus and get into a zone if you are not willing to put in some effort. Of course, for those who do, there are secrets and other features that can add to the replayability of the game.

The visuals in this game are a little insane.

Levels have different webs as you progress, which consist of different shapes and backgrounds. The game can be difficult to focus on due to their being so many similar-looking objects on the screen. More importantly, the enemies' weapons blend in too well at times with the streaming colors, leading to some cheap deaths. Visually, the game grabs a hold of you and never lets go. Some levels are a bit calmer than others, but they're all still intense and draining. This is not necessarily a bad thing and the gameplay can be enjoyable once you get used to it. With one hundred different levels, you'll have plenty of time to do just that. Thankfully, you do not need to play all of them in order and can jump ahead once you have completed them.

There is also online stat tracking, so you can compare your scores to others, giving the game a multiplayer overtone. There is even a hardcore leader board for those with enough time and mental energy to play the game straight through. On top of that, after you complete levels, there are rankings in correlation to your score, marked by statements such as "meh" when your score is low and "good" when you're just that.

The biggest issue with Space Giraffe lies in its very "creativity". After awhile, the melting walls of color can become a headache to look at. Some levels look far better than others, but whether or not you appreciate the visual design will come down to a matter of taste. Space Giraffe ends up being the kind of game that most players will either love or hate. Due to the strangeness inherent to the title, too often it's just not suitable for a casual fan and they will probably feel the latter.

At a mere four hundred points, this game feels like a bargain; provided you can get into it, that is. Space Giraffe tries so hard to be different that it winds up being nearly unplayable for a casual gamer or someone without the visual acuity to really understand what's going on. Try the demo first because you will probably know immediately whether or not this game is for you. Space Giraffe is an interesting title for a multitude of reasons, but the headache-inducing visuals and punishing difficulty will ultimately be a turn-off for some. At the very least, Space Giraffe is a departure from your typical shooter and should be looked at based on the sheer novelty of the idea.