Both looking suspiciously like Apple’s March event demo of Touch Fighter, Star Smasher and Venger are two competing products on the App Store, using the same basic concept, and taking advantage of the iPhone’s built in accelerometer. 3D graphics, 3D positional sound, and control of a craft using a 3-axis accelerometer – But which one of the two is worth plunking down for? …
Complete Underestimation
I think many developers underestimated the true power of the iPhone, as a platform. Namely, a platform for gaming, and I’m going to include Apple in this. I can’t believe Apple knew the full capabilities and extent of it’s platform until the App Store. When the App Store open it’s doors, a slurry of applications were released which we could have seconded guessed, but then titles like 3D adventure games, heart monitoring applications, full console games like Asphalt, Raging Thunder started to appear.
Apple’s touch platform is proving (in more ways than one) that it has the ability to rival the true gaming capabilities of some big-name gaming consoles – and this, is huge.
STAR SMASHER
Boasting retro graphics, and 3D flight simulation, your goal is to make it through the asteroid belt, dodging the asteroids, enemy ships and proximity mines to finally meet the level boss. Stare Smasher [App Store] has two modes; Energy Monger and Free Flight.
Energy Monger
This mode is the true arcade-type, in which you battling your way through 30 levels of increasing difficulty. These levels are mainly based on your shooting ability and the collection of energy spheres. In further levels, you have the ability to unlock 2 bonus levels which actually test your piloting skills, rather than your shooting.
Free Flight
As the title suggests, this is a free, accelerometer controlled, no-limits flight through the asteroid belt.
Just you, the asteroids and your ship for however long you want to play for.
Gameplay
Gameplay consists of you, your ship and space. Wondering how to shoot a missile? – simply tap the screen. In the top right of the screen you’ll find your life count. Top left? – your current score. Bottom left is your shield meter. Hits on asteroids or from other enemies will obviously weaken your shields power.
Calibration
What I did like about these both of these games, was the ability to custom calibrate the built-in accelerometer. Clicking ‘Calibrate from the main menu asks you to tilt the device at the angle you wish to play, and then hit save. This re-calibrates the accelerometer to work on 3-axises, at the angle that you have specified.
Visuals
Rusty in areas, and a bit glitch-y – the general concept of the visuals are great, the colours work well, and the rendering of your spacecraft is pretty much perfect.
VENGER
Again offering a retro feel to it’s visuals and 3D flight simulation, Venger [App Store] offers up a slightly different way of game play. Still using the tap gesture to shoot missiles, Venger relies on a steady hand to fire the perfect shot.
Modes
There are no physical gaming modes in Venger, however you can choose the difficulty from; Normal to Insane.
Gameplay
You’ll need a steady hand for this one, as unlike Star Smasher, Venger relies on you lining up your firing target on your enemy by using the 3-axis tilt accelerometer. This adds depth to the game, and a further level of challenge.
Visuals
Again, slightly rusty in areas, and hardly as polished as Star Smasher, Venger’s visuals may be truly ‘retro’, but in other areas, it can feel at times there’s been no effort put in. Having said that, Venger offers a different type of obstacle to Star Smasher. 3D walls. Where as Star Smasher is a free ride through space, Venger is situated on a straight track, and as well as firing at enemies, you also have to dodge and avoid upcoming walls.
AND THE WINNER IS …
After testing both, I decided Star Smasher took the crown. I found with playing the two games that it had the better graphics of the two, a better overall flight experience, and offered more challenge. One further factor to note though, is the sounds in Venger are very unrealistic. Whereas in Star Smasher they are pretty incredible. In my opinion, these two shooters are the best of their kind, and I think you should check them both out below and decide for yourself …
Overall Result
Venger: 7.9/10
Star Smasher: 8.5/10
Get it on with Star Smasher: Here
Leave a Reply