# Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2 - PC Port ### Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2 running natively on Windows, and experimentally on Linux and Steam Deck, through static recompilation, with the TRG launcher, high frame rate support and modern PC options [![Latest release](https://img.shields.io/github/v/release/saulob/geometry-wars-retro-evolved-2-recompiled?style=for-the-badge&label=release&color=943cff&labelColor=07101f&cacheSeconds=300)](https://github.com/saulob/geometry-wars-retro-evolved-2-recompiled/releases/latest) [![Downloads](https://img.shields.io/github/downloads/saulob/geometry-wars-retro-evolved-2-recompiled/total?style=for-the-badge&color=943cff&labelColor=07101f&cacheSeconds=300)](https://github.com/saulob/geometry-wars-retro-evolved-2-recompiled/releases) ![Platforms](https://img.shields.io/badge/platforms-Windows%20%7C%20Linux%20experimental%20%7C%20Steam%20Deck%20experimental-00acc1?style=for-the-badge&labelColor=07101f) _{The original Xbox 360 game code, statically recompiled to native PC code with the ReXGlue SDK. No game files included: bring your own Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2 Xbox Live Arcade package.}

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## What's new in v0.4.0 - **Controller vibration** for gameplay events (bombs, deaths, shield hits, gates and more). It is **Off by default**: turn it on under **Controls > Vibration**. - **Aspect Ratio** options, including 21:9 Ultrawide and 32:9 Super Ultrawide - **Internal render resolution** at 100%, 75% or 50% - **Graphics card** selection on Windows - optional **render resolution in the window title** - a Linux game-timing change for [Issue #1](https://github.com/saulob/geometry-wars-retro-evolved-2-recompiled/issues/1), and an AppImage that starts by itself when FUSE cannot mount it The full list is in the [v0.4.0 release notes](https://github.com/saulob/geometry-wars-retro-evolved-2-recompiled/releases/tag/v0.4.0). ## Features - Controller vibration for gameplay events, off by default (Controls > Vibration). It is a PC-port addition, not a restored original feature - Native static recompilation for Windows, plus an experimental native Linux / Steam Deck AppImage - TRG launcher that installs the game from your own package and remembers its window position, size, maximized and fullscreen state - High frame rate support: 30, 60 (the original), 90, 120, 144, 165, 240 or Unlimited, without speeding up the game - Render resolution up to 4x (5120×2880), internal render resolution (100%, 75% or 50%), graphics card choice on Windows, FXAA, 2x or 4x (Compatibility) multisampling, texture filtering up to 16x, VSync and native aspect ratios (16:9, 16:10, 21:9, 32:9, 4:3, 5:4) - Improved frame pacing and performance, with less unnecessary GPU and CPU work, especially at higher render resolutions - Automatic discrete-GPU preference on hybrid systems, and a more reliable Exit Game - Frame rate in the window title, and an in-game frame rate counter (**F2**) - Local profile and progression, local scores, offline leaderboards, and all 12 achievements (**F7** overlay), with no Xbox Live connection - Cheats (Invincible, Infinite Shield, Infinite Bombs), set in the launcher or toggled in game with **F10** - Portable `user_data` folder next to the program, with automatic migration of v0.1.0 data - **F11** in the launcher and **F11** in the game are independent: the launcher's fullscreen never changes the game's Display mode - The mouse cursor hides after about 5 seconds without movement during fullscreen gameplay - Xbox controllers without setup, and keyboard support ## What you need - Windows 10 or 11, 64-bit, and a DirectX 12 graphics card, **or** 64-bit Linux / a Steam Deck with Vulkan (experimental) - **Your own Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2 Xbox Live Arcade package**, this exact game version: | | | | --- | --- | | Game | Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2, Xbox Live Arcade | | Title ID | `584108FF` | | Content type | `000D0000` (Xbox Live Arcade), STFS `LIVE` package | | Media ID | `191FF297` | | Game version | `0.0.1.2` | | `default.xex` | 704,512 bytes, CRC32 `5E9B6313`, SHA-1 `048B852E52A8C776C7AE752141591701B7EA5E69`, SHA-256 `6D5D9980A1D17DC74B9CCF540CEC16C2E144E7CEE3A74938E78C237B8ACEEB88` | The launcher checks the Title ID and content type when you pick the package, and checks `default.xex` after extracting it. Package containers can differ between copies, so `default.xex` is what identifies the version. Any other version is refused, because the port is built for this exact game code. ## Installing 1. Download **GeometryWarsRetroEvolved2-v0.4.0-windows-x64.zip** from the [latest release](https://github.com/saulob/geometry-wars-retro-evolved-2-recompiled/releases/latest) and extract it anywhere you can write to. 2. Run **geometry_wars_retro_evolved_2.exe**. The launcher opens. 3. On the **Play** page click **Install from package...** and pick your package. It is one file with a long hexadecimal name and no extension. On an Xbox 360 drive it is in `Content\0000000000000000\584108FF\000D0000\`. 4. Wait until **Ready to play** appears. The game files are copied into the `game` folder next to the program. The package file itself is not copied there. 5. Press **PLAY**. **No game files are included** in the release. **Reinstall from package...** repairs the game files and keeps your settings and saves. ### Saves and settings Your settings, profile, scores, achievements, saves and progression, and the shader cache are stored in a portable `user_data` folder next to the program (next to the AppImage file on Linux), beside `game` and `logs`. It is created the first time it is needed and is not part of the download. Copying the whole application folder to another PC takes your data with it. `--user_data_root=` still overrides the location. **Upgrading from v0.1.0:** v0.1.0 kept this data in `Documents\geometry_wars_retro_evolved_2` on Windows and in `~/.local/share/geometry_wars_retro_evolved_2` (or `$XDG_DATA_HOME`) on Linux. The first start of v0.2.0 moves it into `user_data` automatically: a rename when possible, otherwise a verified copy, and the old folder is removed only after that succeeds. If the move fails, the old folder is left untouched and used, and the move is tried again at the next start. If both locations already hold data, `user_data` is used and the old folder is left alone, never merged. If the program folder is read-only, the old location is used for that run. Details are in [docs/user-data.md](docs/user-data.md). ### Linux and Steam Deck **Experimental.** This is a native Linux build (ReXGlue's Linux runtime with Vulkan), not Proton or Wine. Real-hardware testing so far is one report from a Steam Machine ([#1](https://github.com/saulob/geometry-wars-retro-evolved-2-recompiled/issues/1)), which found a very dark image and slow motion while the frame rate shows 60. The dark image was fixed in v0.2.3, and the reporter confirmed it. At about 30 FPS the game speed was mostly correct in v0.3.1, but short speed-ups were still seen when the frame rate rose toward about 45 FPS. v0.4.0 changes the game's timing to address that, but **it has not been confirmed on the affected Linux machine yet**, and why some Linux systems render around 30 FPS is still under investigation. If FUSE cannot mount the AppImage (for example in a restricted environment), it unpacks itself into a private temporary folder and runs from there. You do not need `APPIMAGE_EXTRACT_AND_RUN=1`. 1. Download **GeometryWarsRetroEvolved2Recompiled-v…-x86_64.AppImage** from the release and mark it executable (right-click > **Properties** > **Permissions** > **Is executable**, or `chmod +x`). 2. Run it, then install your package from the **Play** page as above. The game files go in a `game` folder next to the AppImage. The package picker needs `zenity` or `kdialog`. 3. On a Steam Deck (intended flow, not yet tried on a Deck), do this in **Desktop Mode**, then add the AppImage with **Games > Add a Non-Steam Game to My Library** and play it from **Game Mode**. Settings and saves are in `user_data` and logs in `logs`, both next to the AppImage file (not inside it). Requirements, known limits and building the AppImage are in [docs/linux.md](docs/linux.md). ### Windows SmartScreen Windows may warn the first time you run the program, because the release is not digitally signed. If you downloaded it from this repository's releases page, choose **More info**, then **Run anyway**. ## The launcher The launcher opens before the game. Your choices are saved to `settings.toml` in the `launcher` folder of your user data (`user_data` next to the program). To turn the launcher off, set **Show this launcher** to **Off** on the Play page. Hold **Shift** while starting to bring it back. The launcher remembers its window position, size and whether it was maximized or in borderless fullscreen. **F11** in the launcher switches the launcher only, and **F11** in the game switches the game's Display mode only; neither changes the other. Window size and Monitor are game settings and never move the launcher. ### Play - **Install from package...** with the Title ID and game version checks, and **Reinstall from package...** - The **Ready to play** status, and the **Show this launcher** setting ### Display - **Display mode**: Windowed or Borderless Fullscreen. Press **F11** while playing to switch between them. In fullscreen the mouse cursor hides after about 5 seconds without movement and returns as soon as the mouse moves. The launcher always shows it. - **Window size** and **Monitor** - **VSync** on or off - **Aspect Ratio**: 16:9 Original, 16:10, 21:9 Ultrawide, 32:9 Super Ultrawide, 4:3 or 5:4. The game renders in that shape (720 lines, the width follows the format) instead of stretching, and Window size lists the sizes of the chosen format. Render resolution and Internal render resolution scale from it. A window of another shape shows black bars Window size, monitor, VSync, Aspect Ratio and graphics card take effect when you press **PLAY**. If one differs from the launcher's window, the game restarts once in a new window. ### Graphics - **Graphics card** (Windows): Automatic (recommended) or a specific GPU - **Render resolution**: Original (1280×720), 2x (2560×1440, recommended for 1440p), 3x (3840×2160) or 4x (5120×2880) at 16:9; the other Aspect Ratios change the width - **Internal render resolution**: 100% Native, 75% Performance or 50% Low-end. The GPU draws the game at that share of the Render resolution and scales it up, which lowers the GPU work at some cost in sharpness - **Anti-aliasing**: Off, FXAA or FXAA Extreme - **Multisampling**: 2x MSAA (default), or 4x MSAA (Compatibility) if 2x shows graphics problems on your GPU or driver - **Texture filtering**: Game, Off, 2x, 4x, 8x or 16x - **Bloom**: Original (the game's own glow), Reduced (lower glow) or Off (no glow). The bright geometry and colors are kept ### Gameplay - **Frame rate**: 30, 60, 90, 120, 144, 165, 240 or Unlimited. 60 is the original game and the default. The game's speed stays the same at every rate; a slower graphics card or heavier graphics settings lower the frame rate without changing the speed. - **Frame rate in title**: shows the frame rate in the window title, for example `Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2 | FPS: 60.00` - **Render resolution in title**: shows the render resolution in the window title, for example `Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2 | 2560x1440` at 2x on 16:9. It is off by default; with both title options on, the resolution comes before the frame rate. - **Frame counter**: shows the frame rate in the corner of the window. Press **F2** while playing to show or hide it. ### Cheats - **Invincible**: the player cannot die. A shield or the short protection after a bomb still works as usual. - **Infinite Shield**: keeps the player's shield active. - **Infinite Bombs**: bombs are not used up when fired. It does not add bombs you do not have. All three are Off by default. The launcher's Cheats page saves them and they take effect when you press **PLAY**. Press **F10** while playing to open the Cheats menu: move with Up and Down (arrow keys, D-pad or left stick), toggle with Enter or **A**, close with **F10**, Escape or **B**. The game ignores input while the menu is open. Changes made in the menu last for the current session only; the launcher's saved values are not changed. Scores, leaderboards and achievements are not disabled by cheats. ### Controls - Xbox controllers work without setup - **Keyboard**: enabled or disabled. When enabled, the keyboard and mouse emulate the controller, and the keys are listed on the page. - **Vibration**: Off or On (controller rumble). Off by default, with no strength setting. When On, the controller vibrates for bombs, deaths, respawns, game over, extra lives and bombs, shield hits, the King zone, Gravity Well explosions and overloads, and gate crossings. Windows has been tested with a physical controller; Linux and Steam Deck vibration has not been confirmed on real hardware yet. - Online multiplayer is not supported. ### Achievements The launcher's **Achievements** page lists the game's 12 achievements (200G in total) with their icons, gamerscore and unlocked state, and a progress summary. The list appears after you have pressed **PLAY** once, from the next time the launcher opens. ### Achievements, leaderboards and Xbox Live Everything stays offline: there is no Xbox Live connection, Microsoft sign-in or online player. - **Achievements**: the game's achievements menu item and **F7** open the same list in game. B, Escape or F7 closes it. Unlocks show the usual notification and are kept between runs on this PC, with no synchronization with Xbox Live. - **Leaderboards**: the leaderboard screens work with your own scores only. Finished games are kept in a local file, and the boards show your row or no rows, never other players. - **Profile**: the game's profile and options are saved locally. [docs/offline-live.md](docs/offline-live.md) and [docs/offline-profile.md](docs/offline-profile.md) have the details. ### About - The port version, game version and library versions - Open the game folder, or the saves and settings folder (the active `user_data`) - **Show settings file**, and **Reset all settings** ## Screenshots 2026-10-11_18-48

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## Reporting problems If the game does not start or crashes, please open an [issue](https://github.com/saulob/geometry-wars-retro-evolved-2-recompiled/issues). Attach the newest `geometry_wars_retro_evolved_2_*.log` file from the `logs` folder next to the program, and say what you were doing when the problem happened. ## Building it yourself The recompiled C++ is generated from your own game files, so the repository does not contain it. Clone with submodules, so the TRG launcher is included: ```powershell git clone --recurse-submodules https://github.com/saulob/geometry-wars-retro-evolved-2-recompiled.git ``` In an existing clone, run `git submodule update --init --recursive`. 1. Install Visual Studio with the C++ and LLVM/Clang components. See [docs/minimal-native-build.md](docs/minimal-native-build.md). 2. Extract your package's files into `game\extracted` (`.\tools\extract_stfs.ps1 -Package "" -OutDir game\extracted`), so that `game\extracted\default.xex` exists. 3. `.\tools\codegen.ps1` downloads the pinned ReXGlue SDK 0.10.0, checks `default.xex` and generates the C++ into `generated\`. 4. `.\tools\build.ps1` builds `build\geometry_wars_retro_evolved_2.exe`. `.\tools\build.ps1 -Run` also starts it. The first build also builds the project's patched ReXGlue runtime (see [docs/rexglue-runtime-patch.md](docs/rexglue-runtime-patch.md)). 5. `.\tools\package-release.ps1` builds a Release into `build-release\` (add `-Clean` for a clean build) and makes the release ZIP and its `.sha256` file in `dist\`. On Linux, `tools/build.sh` is the normal build and `tools/package-linux.sh` makes the AppImage. See [docs/linux.md](docs/linux.md). Both packaging scripts are local only: they build and write files under `dist/`, and never upload, tag or publish anything. The release version is the `project()` VERSION in `CMakeLists.txt`. How the launcher, settings and installer work is described in [docs/launcher.md](docs/launcher.md). The other technical notes: - [Package analysis](docs/package-analysis.md) - [Minimal native build](docs/minimal-native-build.md) - [First boot](docs/first-boot.md) - [Offline profile and save](docs/offline-profile.md) - [Offline Xbox Live services](docs/offline-live.md) - [Cheats](docs/cheats.md) - [ReXGlue runtime patches](docs/rexglue-runtime-patch.md) - [ReXGlue GPU plugin patch](docs/rexglue-gpu-patch.md) - [Saves and settings: the portable user_data folder](docs/user-data.md) - [Linux and Steam Deck](docs/linux.md) ## Credits - Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2 by Bizarre Creations, published by Microsoft Game Studios for Xbox Live Arcade (2008). This is an unofficial fan-made PC port. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by them or by any rights holder, and it contains none of their files. - [ReXGlue SDK](https://github.com/rexglue/rexglue-sdk) for the recompiler and runtime (BSD 3-Clause) - [TRG Launcher](https://github.com/TekRantGaming/trg-launcher), the launcher interface, pinned at v1.1.0. The referenced revision contains no explicit license file. - The launcher and package installer follow the approach of the [Hard Corps: Uprising PC port](https://github.com/saulob/hard-corps-uprising-recompiled) and the [Earthworm Jim HD PC port](https://github.com/TekRantGaming/earthworm-jim-hd-recompiled) - The licenses of the libraries the release includes are in the `licenses` folder of the ZIP ## AI disclosure AI tools were used to assist with code analysis, development, debugging and documentation. Changes were directed, tested and reviewed by the maintainer. ## License Original code in this project is licensed under the GNU General Public License v2.0 only (GPL-2.0-only). See [LICENSE](LICENSE). Third-party components retain their respective licenses and notices. See [licenses/ReXGlue-LICENSE.txt](packaging/licenses/ReXGlue-LICENSE.txt) and [licenses/THIRD-PARTY-LICENSES.txt](packaging/licenses/THIRD-PARTY-LICENSES.txt). No game files are included. Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2 and its assets are not covered by this project's license.