Chicken Invaders 2: The Next Wave Remastered

Chicken Invaders 2: The Next Wave Remastered is the modernized, high-definition version of the classic 2002 fixed-screen vertical shoot 'em up (shmup) originally developed by InterAction Studios. Released to updated platforms, the Remastered edition retains the game's core humor and frantic action while providing updated graphics, higher resolutions, and improved sound design.

The Second Chicken War

The game’s absurd plot continues the saga from the first installment. After the protagonist (the pilot of a single starfighter) defeated the initial invasion force, the chickens have regrouped, determined to exact revenge on Earth by ending human consumption of chicken. This time, they are attacking with full military might from beyond the solar system.

The core objective remains simple: pilot your ship across various scrolling galactic backdrops, blasting endless waves of sentient chickens and dodging an overwhelming amount of eggs and projectiles.

Gameplay: Fixed-Screen Vertical Shmup

Chicken Invaders 2 is a classic fixed-screen shmup designed for accessibility and cooperative play:

• Wave Structure: The game is structured into ten major waves that take the player through every planet in the solar system. Each wave is composed of numerous sub-levels featuring distinct formations of chickens that swoop, weave, and drop hazardous eggs.

• The Power-Up System: The game features a straightforward and satisfying weapon system. Players collect power-up icons dropped by defeated chickens to cycle through five primary weapons (Blaster, Laser Cannon, Neutron Gun, Spreader, and the Lightning Fryer). Each weapon can be powered up ten times, dramatically increasing its rate of fire and screen coverage. Dying causes the weapon power level to drop instantly.

• The Super-Weapon: The ship is equipped with a limited-use Super-Weapon (often a massive missile or screen-clearing blast) for emergency use against dense formations or during boss fights.

• Co-Op Mode: A key feature is the two-player cooperative mode, which allows players to work together on a single screen. This increases the combined firepower but also the chaos, as both players must coordinate movement to avoid projectiles.

Bosses and Difficulty

The difficulty is standard for the genre, with a rapid increase in enemy density and bullet patterns.

• Feathered Foes: The game is punctuated by intense boss fights at the end of each major wave. These bosses are giant, mechanically enhanced chickens, often piloting bizarre space machinery or wearing heavy armor. Defeating them requires mastery of dodging complex, patterned bullet-hell sequences.

• The Chickenator: The game’s final challenge is an enormous, mechanical "Chickenator" that pilots the mothership, demanding precision and maximum firepower management.

The Remastered version ensures that the nostalgic, fast-paced humor and action of the original are preserved while offering a visually smooth experience for modern hardware.