The Red Star Review

The Red Star is a port from an old PS2 game, which also saw a release on the PSP. The fact that PS2 games are finding their way onto iDevice gaming makes me even more excited about Apple and the future of gaming. The game graphics are well done, the button controls are a little difficult but not terrible, and the game runs really smooth on my 3rd generation iPod.

The game is built in a 2.5d side scroll model, complete with melee and ranged attacks, power up attacks, and more baddies then you can shake a stick at. There are various mob types, including those who shoot, those who melee, and those who are unable to be affected by one or the other. The boss battles are comprehensive and challenging. In fact, challenging is pretty much the theme of this game.

In an effort to provide a comprehensive review, I attempted the first boss battle 5 times before I finally gave up. The combination of the small screen and the amount of activity going on in that screen was just too much for me. It might have been an easier feat on my iPad, but I didn’t want to relive the epic shame of getting owned time and time again on a game that usually I would master fairly quickly.

Needless to say, there are plenty of you out there with mad skills that shadow my own, and I am sure you will champion this game with ease, making me look like a chump. For those of you that fit this category, first I hate you, and second you will find an immersive and complete game that did wonders on its console debut and is meeting with pleasant reactions in its iDevice debut as well. There have been some complaints of older equipment not running it as well, so be cautious of that before taking the $4.99 plunge.

Note: If trying to download The Red Star directly to your iDevice, make sure to search for "Red Star". If you search for "The Red Star", you will not find the game. This was as of 7/14/2010.