Godzilla: Save the Earth

Godzilla: Save the Earth is a fighting video game based on Toho's Godzilla franchise. It is developed by Pipeworks Software, published by Atari, and released in 2004 for PlayStation 2 and Xbox.

Godzilla: Save the Earth
Developer(s)	Pipeworks Software
Publisher(s)	Atari
Series	Godzilla
Platform(s)	PlayStation 2 Xbox
Release	PlayStation 2 NA: November 2, 2004 EU: December 9, 2004 JP: December 9, 2004 AU: December 17, 2004[1] Xbox NA: November 16, 2004 EU: November 19, 2004 AU: December 10, 2004[2]
Genre(s)	Fighting
Mode(s)	Single player, Multiplayer

The game is a sequel to 2002's Godzilla: Destroy All Monsters Melee, and was followed by Godzilla: Unleashed in 2007.

Gameplay

The gameplay is identical to the previous game, although it plays at a more sluggish pace and allows monsters to use their beam attacks more frequently. New additions included elevated terrains, a challenge mode, online play, and a slightly more cohesive story mode that includes limited traveling sections and underwater levels. In addition to all 12 playable monsters from the previous game, Save the Earth introduced six new playable monsters: Baragon, Jet Jaguar, Megaguirus, Moguera, Mothra, and SpaceGodzilla. Biollante was also going to be included (as she was fully programmed into the game), but was cut due to licensing reasons.

Plot

Save the Earth takes place two years after Godzilla: Destroy All Monsters Melee. The story involves mankind getting hold of Godzilla's DNA, known in the game as "G-Cells." The Vortaak learn of this, once again returning to Earth, controlling a vast army of monsters, including their ultimate weapon: SpaceGodzilla. The player faces down many controlled monsters in different locations. In the climax cut-scene, Godzilla confronts SpaceGodzilla in a final duel. Godzilla blasts off SpaceGodzilla's shoulder crystals causing a black hole to form. SpaceGodzilla is sucked in and apparently killed, forcing the Vortaak to retreat while Godzilla lets out a victorious roar, having saved the Earth yet again.

Reception

Aggregate score

Aggregator	Score
	PS2	Xbox
Metacritic	62/100[3]	63/100[4]

Review scores

Publication	Score
	PS2	Xbox
1Up.com	B−[5]	B−[5]
Electronic Gaming Monthly	5.33/10[6]	5.33/10[6]
Game Informer	6/10[7]	6/10[7]
GameSpot	6/10[8]	6/10[8]
GameSpy	[9]	[10]
IGN	6.5/10[11]	6.5/10[12]
Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine	[13]	N/A
Official Xbox Magazine (US)	N/A	7.1/10[14]
TeamXbox	N/A	6.1/10[15]
X-Play	[16]	[16]
Detroit Free Press	N/A	[17]

Reception

Godzilla: Save the Earth received mixed reviews on both platforms according to video game review aggregator Metacritic.^[3][4]

1UP gave the game a "B−" score, saying: "Godzilla: Save the Earth is a fun game and a worthy sequel to Godzilla: Destroy All Monsters Melee. If it had been afforded a little more finesse (especially regarding the Challenges) and a little more authentic Godzilla flavor, it'd be even sweeter. The fact is, though, that unless you're a Godzilla fan, there are better games of this general type out there (War of the Monsters and Def Jam: Fight for New York come to mind). Still, the kaiju in Godzilla's universe are way cooler than grown, sweaty men in tights."^[5]

References

1. van Leuveren, Luke (December 5, 2004). "Updated Australian Release List - 05/12/2004". PALGN. PAL Gaming Network. Archived from the original on September 10, 2006. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
2. van Leuveren, Luke (December 5, 2004). "Updated Australian Release List - 05/12/2004". PALGN. PAL Gaming Network. Archived from the original on September 10, 2006. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
3. "Godzilla: Save the Earth for PlayStation 2 Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on August 29, 2023. Retrieved June 29, 2014.
4. "Godzilla: Save the Earth for Xbox Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on August 29, 2023. Retrieved June 29, 2014.
5. Butler, Tim (December 2, 2004). "Godzilla: Save the Earth". 1UP.com. Archived from the original on July 18, 2012. Retrieved June 29, 2014.
6. EGM staff (December 25, 2004). "Godzilla: Save the Earth". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 186. p. 106.
7. Zoss, Jeremy (December 2004). "Godzilla: Save the Earth". Game Informer. No. 140. p. 165.
8. Kasavin, Greg (November 5, 2004). "Godzilla: Save the Earth Review". GameSpot. Archived from the original on June 15, 2015. Retrieved June 29, 2014.
9. Baker, Chris (November 11, 2004). "GameSpy: Godzilla: Save the Earth (PS2)". GameSpy. Archived from the original on August 29, 2023. Retrieved June 29, 2014.
10. Baker, Chris (December 7, 2004). "GameSpy: Godzilla: Save the Earth (Xbox)". GameSpy. Archived from the original on August 29, 2023. Retrieved June 29, 2014.
11. Lewis, Ed (November 2, 2004). "Godzilla: Save the Earth (PS2)". IGN. Archived from the original on July 2, 2014. Retrieved June 29, 2014.
12. Lewis, Ed (November 15, 2004). "Godzilla: Save the Earth (Xbox)". IGN. Archived from the original on August 29, 2023. Retrieved June 29, 2014.
13. "Godzilla: Save the Earth". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine. January 2005. Archived from the original on June 3, 2016. Retrieved March 29, 2016.
14. "Godzilla: Save the Earth". Official Xbox Magazine. December 2004. p. 68.
15. Fisher, Matthew (November 23, 2004). "Godzilla: Save the Earth Review (Xbox)". TeamXbox. Archived from the original on March 11, 2012. Retrieved June 30, 2014.
16. Speer, Justin (November 30, 2004). "Godzilla: Save the Earth Review". X-Play. Archived from the original on December 10, 2004. Retrieved June 30, 2014.
17. Huschka, Ryan (January 9, 2005). "'Godzilla: Save the Earth' (Xbox)". Detroit Free Press. Archived from the original on January 19, 2005. Retrieved June 30, 2014.

External links

• Godzilla: Save the Earth at MobyGames
• Interview With Simon Strange