Tag: Outer space »

Space Agency, by Nooleus, is a rocket launching simulation game. The app lets you build rockets, launch satellites, create a space station, and explore the solar system. Nooleus has released the latest update with a ton of new features! Version 1.4.0 gives you a slew of new missions, parts, and sandboxes as well as allowing you to see inside your spacecraft, carry and transfer cargo, and share sandboxes with friends. Space Agency has also gotten better graphics, improved controls, and a bunch of other quality of life upgrades.

You can download Space Agency for $1.99 and check out all the new stuff.

A lone astronaut has to wander through an endless meteor storm. Is he sacrificing himself in order to save the lives of his crew? Has he been sentenced to some kind of space-Purgatory? Maybe this is what really happened to David Bowman (2001: A Space Odyssey)? Whatever the reason for his ultimately fruitless journey, it makes for an entertaining one-button game.

Irrupt is every bit as simple as it sounds. The nameless astronaut flies from the left of the screen to the right, miraculously starting over from the left again after each pass, in an endless loop. While avoiding meteors, naturally. Tapping and holding the screen causes him to cease his movement for a few moments, while simultaneously charging a boost. Releasing the screen then launches him forward at different distances based on how long he was charging. With each completed circuit the number and speed of the meteors increases, rapidly shifting from fairly easy to downright nail-biting. Every now and then power-ups that activate meteor-blasting guns will drop, but catching them can be tricky and they aren’t entirely vital to one’s success.

iOS games don’t get much more accessible than Irrupt. Tap, hold, and release. That’s all there is to it. The complexity and insanity is in the timing. Meteors can miss by virtual inches, but they can also hit by such a small margin. It means any small mistake can end a run in less time than it takes to blink, but it also means that some steadily developed skills can lead to fairly significant scores. Of course, “high score” is kind of a relative term here. So far I’ve only managed to hit 25. It’s much more challenging than it sounds.

Of course all this simplicity and accessibility could be viewed as “too much” for some people. Aside from the constant grind for a better score - and possibly bragging to Game Center friends - there’s really nothing else to it. Not that I personally think it needs anything, but I suppose an unlockable or two such as new spacesuits or something would be nice.

There’s no way anyone would mistake Irrupt for a “complex” or even a “deep” game, but it does simple fun very well. There’s no leveling up or upgrading to be had but it’s a great time killer for high score chasing iOS gamers.

The Backstory
Sentenced to an eternity in suspended animation for a heinous crime he may or may not have committed, the man known as “Dangerous” is woken up a century later and unceremoniously tossed back into the fray. Actions performed and choices made will help determine the war criminal’s ultimate fate. Where he goes and who he becomes is largely up to the player, but savior or super-villain, there’s bound to be lots and lots of shooting and exploration.

The Gameplay
Dangerous features a massive universe to explore with plenty of star systems – each with their own denizens, commodities, resident dangers, and missions spanning through each of them. Navigation and combat can be handled via manual tilt/virtual stick controls, but things are at their best when using the contextual button commands. Orders can be issued with a tap or two, and most variables (i.e. distance to target) can be adjusted using a simple slider. Experience can be used to purchase and upgrade a variety of useful skills, and any spoils can be re-appropriated or sold in order to purchase better ships, gear, or modifications.

How does it Compare?
While Dangerous may have its roots firmly planted in the space adventure sims of old, the rest of it is very much reaching for the now. The steady pacing, wealth of customizations by way of skills and equipment, huge environment to explore, and especially the almost hands-free approach to performing actions are very reminiscent of the “cult hit” MMO juggernaut EVE Online. In fact, the only things missing – aside from the super-pretty textures – are the other human players and the wacky economy. For all intents and purposes, Dangerous is indeed a single-player EVE Online, and personally I’m inclined to believe that’s a very good thing.

Dangerous did go through some growing pains. The interface, while still not all that pretty, was a horrific mess after the initial release and most of the menus were nearly impossible to read on an iPhone due to size and formatting issues. However, all of the major gripes that have had a noticeable effect on the gameplay have since been addressed. Now Dangerous is every bit the giant space sim it was meant to be, and every bit a Console-Quality iOS Game.

*NOTE: “Console-quality” refers to the quality of the experience, not just the graphics. This is about the depth of gameplay, content, and in some cases how accurately it portrays the ideals of its console counterpart.*

Okay, I'm obviously kidding but the inclusion of Will Smith and Jeff Goldblum wouldn't be all that out of place in Escape to Earth. Someone's been captured by aliens, then somehow miraculously manages to escape their captors and hijack a ship. The only problem is they have to get out of the mothership before they can taste real freedom. Or smoke those cigars. Last Independence Day reference, I promise.

So players will find themselves in control of yet another space-faring vessel, however things aren't as derivative as they might initially seem. It's true that they'll have to blast away at many an aggressive extra-terrestrial along the way, but Escape to Earth is about more than just blowing stuff up. In addition to the other-worldly armaments (i.e. a laser and missiles), players also have access to a tractor beam and "repulser" which are needed to solve a number of physics-based environmental puzzles. So if they ever want to see Earth again, they'll have to use both their brain and their trigger fingers.

Those interested in fighting (and puzzling) their way through this interstellar labyrinth can do so right now. Escape to Earth is already on the App Store, and it can be had for the low/standard price of one dollar.