Starborn Anarkist

Sometimes people just like to throw something together with random parts they find lying about,; like a spud cannon or a trebuchet that launches cars. Other times it could be creating a space ship created just for the purpose of wanton destruction or destroying other space ships that just so happen to have their guns aimed at them. If that idea tickles anyone's fancy, then the game Starborn Anarkist is right up their alley. This title is part SHMUP, part mad scientist, part Asteroids, and part silly crazy.

Starborn Anarkist is one of those games in which there isn't so much a goal to win, but rather to accumulate the highest score before eventual destruction. There are also some 50 plus achievements that, unlike most achievements in games, actually unlock new ship designs, weapons, in-game currency, or any number of other useful things for the player. Within the game, in-game currency and new weapon upgrades can be found through the debris of slain enemies.

Gameplay and controls are pretty straightforward: movement and gun firing are done with on-screen joysticks on either side. The joystick controlling the gun will adjust where the main gun is aimed, with the guns auto firing whatever ammo the ship has at the time. Eventually, the little collection of rebellion and scrap metal will fall, as the game's difficulty rapidly increases by sending increasing waves of enemy combatants at the player. But instead of waiting idly for impending doom, in Starborn Anarkist players will blast their way out in a blaze of glory; earning points and additional goodies.

If there is one downside to this game, is that it's a paid game that also has in-app purchases. It's not extremely terrible as the only in-app purchases are the cogs one uses as the game's currency, but the fact that this title still puts a "tip jar" out so to speak after charging admission at the door is a bit annoying. However, it is a $1.99 game and the ratio of charging for the in-app purchases to what it gives players for the in-game currency is pretty fair.

Starborn Anarkist is the perfect example of classic arcade game goodness, with a sprinkling of zany madness. From the construction of a custom hodgepodge ship to the crazy weapons one uses to dispose of the bad guys, there's a lot of fun to be had. The fact that this title is now featured in the "Best New Games" section of the App store is no surprise at all, as players will get sucked into this game and enjoy it for some time. So if if one has a creative streak and a need for a bit of mayhem, Starborn Anarkist will satisfy that craving for carnage and crazy.