Invader Hunter Review
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Invader Hunter Review

Our Review by Rob Rich on March 21st, 2012
Rating: starstarstarstarblankstar :: STOP & POP
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Invader Hunter is a game plagued by cheap enemies, too-small arenas, and a slightly wonky control scheme. It's also a surprising amount of fun.

Developer: Pindilab
Price: $2.99
Version: 1.2
App Reviewed on: iPhone 3GS

Graphics / Sound Rating: starstarstarstarhalfstar
User Interface Rating: starstarstarblankstarblankstar
Gameplay Rating: starstarstarhalfstarblankstar
Re-use / Replay Value Rating: starstarstarstarblankstar

Overall Rating: starstarstarstarblankstar

Maybe it's because I'm weird or perhaps it's due to my undying love of the Monster Hunter series (I suppose one feeds into the other), but I have a thing for games that involve taking on massive boss-type characters in order to obtain components that I can use to make better equipment. Which I then use to help me defeat stronger enemies, and so on. Invader Hunter gives me a similar fix in smaller doses better suited to iOS, but it's got a few glaring problems that get in the way of total bliss. Still a fun game, though.

Invader Hunter is all about single-handedly bringing down a number of rather large creatures. Then taking down tougher ones. Then farming materials from them through repeated bouts in order to craft better gear. Then going after even tougher enemies. Repeat ad infintium. There are a number of different enemy types to combat, each with several color variations that are harder to kill and have different attack patterns. There's a decent amount of fighting locales, as well.

It's a pretty good-looking game, but Invader Hunter's real strength is in the whole "hunting for better stuff" dynamic. It's oddly habit-forming and all to easy to end up spending hours going after the same exact invader simply to try and earn one item in order to craft a helmet to complete a set of armor. Full sets are important not only because of visual cohesion but because they impart special bonuses such as boosted damage, regenerating health, or increased rare drop rates. Things are kept interesting for those who don't care much for farming by way of special conditions for certain missions, including things like time limits or specific rankings. Meet those conditions and earn a special piece of equipment. Not a bad deal.

I can't say I'm a huge fan of the inability to shoot and move at the same time (despite being a fan of Resident Evil since the very beginning), but it doesn't take long to get used to it. The real problem is that the virtual stick feels a little off while aiming. More often than not I'll pull to the side as I raise my targeting laser toward a weak spot. I can still make a fair number of "fatal" hits, but I feel like I'm fighting the controls the whole way. Getting juggled by badly-timed invader attacks doesn't help matters, and it feels incredibly cheap. It's even worse when fighting some of the more relentless enemies in one of Invader Hunter's many cramped arenas. Also, I really hate that weird chibi praying mantis alien. Stupid burrowing attack.

And yet with all of these complaints I still find myself thoroughly enjoying Invader Hunter. It could certainly do with some adjustments, but it's the kind of loot-hunting/crafting that speaks to me.

iPhone Screenshots

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iPad Screenshots

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