So far, reactions have been mixed over Jeff Minter’s newest opus Space Giraffe, most likely because the game has some flaws that the average gamer might not be able to overlook. You play the game as a giraffe, in space, shooting your way through levels in a manner not entirely unlike Minter’s most famous game, even though the first line in the tutorial clearly states, “This is not Tempest.” While it isn’t exactly the same, it is pretty similar.
The game is an insane trip. It beckons back to the days when arcade games didn’t really need to make any sense, and you were just trying your hardest to get the high score. While the game makes no sense at all, it is an intense challenge to play. You shoot the enemies as they advance, maintain your Power Zone, and work to get as many power-ups as possible, all while trying not to focus your eyes on the hypnotic and disturbing background. Space Giraffe is not for the faint of heart, those who are easily frustrated, or anyone prone to seizures. Everyone else should give this bad boy a try and see if you’re up to the challenge.