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Asteroids Gunner was released by Atari today at the iTunes App Store, taking some queues from the company's arcade classic, Asteroids, and adding contemporary gaming mechanics that might make it a hit for iOS gamers.
When I think of the classic arcade games of old, the titles that pop into my head are games like Pac Man, Defender, Galaga, and Asteroids, among many others. You can still find many of these games using emulation software on desktops or purchase them in newer iOS collections like Atari's Greatest Hits. But today Atari released a sequel to Asteroids (first released in 1979) called Asteroid Gunner, and it has just the right mix of action and contemporary gameplay elements to make it a must-have for those who like old arcade hits.
Asteroids Gunner (Free - Universal) follows the same basic gameplay of the original standup arcade game. At the beginning of the game, you find yourself in an asteroid field and your job is to maneuver your ship and break up asteroids until you've cleared the area. Also like the original, occasionally a UFO will materialize that you can shoot for bonus points. But what brings Asteroids Gunner squarely into the present time are several improvements that will keep you coming back for more. For starters, Asteroid Gunner uses a dual-stick control method with the left stick for maneuvering and the right for firing your weapons--a common iPhone shooter control method that most can pick up and play right away.
Along with updated controls, Asteroid Gunner introduces several new gameplay elements. As you shoot asteroids, some will leave behind crystals. Crystals are the in-game currency that lets you buy new ships, temporary boosts that give you an advantage, skills that upgrade your ship permanently, and weapon slots that let you customize your ship's loadout. In between waves, the game prompts you to head to the store to spend your crystals on new items and skills so you can get through harder levels more quickly.
Content wise, Asteroids Gunner offers plenty to unlock and explore. You get to play through three different galaxies for a total of 150 waves of asteroid shooting fun. You also can pilot three different ships with varying attributes so you can choose your play style. The game also comes with over 200 achievements and both OpenFeint and Game Center support.
Though Asteroids Gunner is a free game, like many iOS app titles these days, there's plenty of opportunity to spend your money through in-app purchases. A Bank screen lets you purchase Space Bucks for real money, that will let you buy better upgrades than are available by using the in-game currency. You can buy 50 Space Bucks for 99 cents, all the way up to 1,000,000 Space Bucks for $99.99. (Seriously? There are people who spend $100 for in-game money? That is a concept I don't think I'll ever understand, but I digress).
Overall, Asteroids Gunner offers challenging gameplay that sticks to the basic concepts of the arcade original while adding tons of content and upgrades you can earn as you play. While I'm (obviously) not crazy about the idea of Space Bucks, you can always slog it out and get excellent upgrades simply by playing the game and earning achievements and crystals.
If you have even a passing interest in arcade classics or shoot-'em-up games in general, I strongly recommend Asteroid Gunner.
via:cnet