Godzilla Unleashed: Double Smash

November 20, 2007(18 years ago)·Full Release

Pipeworks Software

Publisher: Atari, Inc.

Franchise: Godzilla

★

N/A

0 user ratings

★

3.5

2 critic ratings

★★★★★★★★★★

⭐

VOTES

Genres: Fighting, Hack and slash/Beat 'em up

Platforms:NDS

Action Science fiction Single player Side viewESRBPEGI

Summary

The Nintendo DS edition of Unleashed, Double Smash, offers gameplay reminiscent of a side-scrolling format, much like Godzilla: Monster of Monsters. While visually presented in 3D, its 2D mechanics align it with games such as New Super Mario Bros. or Sonic Rush. Utilizing the dual-screen setup of the Nintendo DS, airborne creatures are shown on the top screen, while ground-based creatures appear on the bottom. A multiplayer mode lets each player take control of a separate monster. Reactions from critics were mostly unfavorable. IGN rated the game 3 out of 10, stating: "While recent Godzilla games haven't been great, at least they were enjoyable. Godzilla Unleashed: Double Smash can't make that claim. It looks awful, turning the King of the Monsters into a blob of texture-less polygons and placing him in a monotonous sequence of punching planes and kicking boats." GameSpot awarded it a 2 out of 10, calling it "one of the worst DS games ever," and noted: "With a perfect mix of poor design, clumsy controls, and unexciting destruction, this game does what oxidation bombs, volcanoes, and Matthew Broderick couldn't: It defeats Godzilla." GameSpy gave it a 1 out of 5, commenting: "This mindless combat may be the worst aspect of Double Smash. Trudging through dull levels, battling the same foes, and using the same strategies to win becomes tedious almost instantly."

Storyline

Unleashed's story, set twenty years after Godzilla: Save the Earth, opens with a meteor storm striking Earth, triggering dramatic climate changes and seismic activity. At the same time, Earth's monsters begin attacking cities worldwide due to the emergence of crystals on the surface. Both humans and monsters form factions, resulting in four distinct monster groups. The decisions made throughout the story influence future events, including the evolving dynamics between human and monster factions. The Vortaak, returning from earlier games, launch an invasion using the crystals to conquer Earth, though their mothership is destroyed and crashes into San Francisco Bay. In the final moments, it is revealed that the crystals originate from SpaceGodzilla, who is attempting to break free from the alternate dimension he was trapped in at the end of Save the Earth. The game features four (or five in alternate scenarios) endings based on the victorious faction. If the aliens win, Vorticia laughs triumphantly. If the mutants prevail, the crystals spread uncontrollably like a deadly disease. If SpaceGodzilla wins, the Mutant ending plays out, but with SpaceGodzilla roaring in victory. If the GDF or Earth Defenders win, the player's monster is honored for their heroism as peace is restored. If the Earth Defenders, GDF, or Alien faction collects all the power surges, Miku explains that the monster was corrupted and was the last hope. Despite rumors, the game does not yet include alternate endings where an Alien or Mutant switches sides to save the Earth—these are considered false.