Geki2 and Geki3 a Xenon 2 Megablast like games
for GNU / Linux and FreeBSD
Do you remember the
old arcade spaceship shooter Xenon 2
Megablast? I do
For all those
who are too young to remember, here are two screenshots:
Even though
Xenon 2 Megablast original can now be played
using
dosbox DOS emulator. Its interesting to mention I've
found two Linux games that more or less can be qualitified to
resemble Xenon 2.
The games are
Native Free Software games and existing in
package repositories of most Linux distributions and *BSD port
trees.
Geki 2 and
Geki 3 are of a less quality to Xenon but
still, the game experience is nice and is among the Arcade shooter
games to bring you fun in the boring days if you're on GNU / Linux
or FreeBSD Free OS platforms.
Installing Geki2 and Geki3 on Debian and Ubuntu Linux
is standard with apt:
debian:~# apt-get install geki2 geki3
...
On
Debian GNU / Linux , after installed the games would not
create
GNOME Applications -> Games -> game
startup shortcuts, however the game startups will get added in
GNOME Applications Menu under:
Applications -> Debian -> Games -> Action -> Geki
2
and
Applications -> Debian -> Games -> Action -> Geki
3
The games can be launched also manually with commands:
geki2
or
geki3
Geki 2 is a way closer to Xenon 2 as it has similar look and feel
and the same vertical direction the spaceship is navigated.
In Geki 3 still the shoot 'em' up spaceship like arcade is
present, however instead of penguin you have to fly a flying
penguin instead of spaceship and the move on direction is
horizontal.
Both the games have the same sound and music effects. The game
music and effects are not of top quality but are not bad as well
and surely gives some of the arcade atmosphere.
Geki 2 Xenon 2 Megablast like on Debian Linux
In the tradition of the arcade games at the end of each level in
both games you face the Level Boss Enemy, you should destroy.
As you can see in below's screenshot the overall graphics of
GEKI 3 is poorer if compared to GEKI 2
still GEKI 2 gampley is fun and addictive and I would say not less
enjoyable than GEKI 2.
At times I even think that Geki 3 is more fun because of the game's
dynamics.
Maybe the reason, why I enjoyed more Geki 3 is also the fact that
Geki 2 is a way harder. Dying only 3 times in the game you get GAME
OVER and the next game you're started from the beginning of the
same level you died in.
Something really annoying that affects both the games is there is
no option to play them in Fullscreen mode.
Game controls for Geki2 and Geki3 are
identical:
Up - Arrow up key
Down - Down arrow key
Right - Right arrow key
left - Left arrow key
Shoot - z or Space
Pause - s
Geki2 and Geki3 are fun and can kill some time, but
definitely aren't that (professional) as other spaceship
shoot'em'up arcades like Starfighter , Critical Mass or
powermanga
, though that they're two worthy games to install and keep on your
Free Software OS.