Galaxy on Fire 2: HD Review

With the recent release of the new iPhone 4S, we are about to see bigger and better games come out of the App Store. Galaxy on Fire 2: HD is one of the first of many to enter the scene as a game specifically designed for the 4S. The Apple A5 chip in the 4S allows this game to really stand out and show off its beauty.

From what I can tell, the gameplay in Galaxy on Fire 2: HD is no different than the original Galaxy on Fire 2 version. The story still follows Keith T. Maxwell, who is transported through time and space after a run in with some unfriendly space pirates. He awakes 35 years later in an unfamiliar region of the galaxy and immediately begins his quest to return to his home planet. Through various missions, side missions, and adventures with pirates and foreign alien races, players help Keith earn money and make connections to get home. A more in-depth review of the gameplay can be read here.

Galaxy on Fire 2: HD really takes full advantage of the A5 chip and the retina display of the iPhone 4S. The graphics are clean and crisp which make for some excellent dog fights with pirates and aliens. The sound is also very rich and full through the speakers on the 4S. In comparing the original to the HD version, I can tell that a lot more detail was added the game environment. The game has been fully optimized and I have not seen any lag during gameplay.

One potentially alarming thing that I did notice was that my iPhone began to get hotter than normal after about ten to fifteen minutes of playing. I have felt my phone get hot with other games, but not after such a short period of time. The game really taxes the phone’s system with its heavy graphics and usage of processing power. The game also is a bit of drain on the battery, but that is to be expected.

Overall this is a great game and I would recommend it to anyone that is willing to pay the $9.99 price tag. Unfortunately the game does not come as an update to the original Galaxy on Fire 2 title and must be purchased separately. Although the better graphics and performance of the HD version are nice, they are not worth the steep price of the upgrade. For those who don't already own the original, Galaxy of Fire 2: HD is great addition to their iPhone 4S game collection.