Inkvaders HD [rating: 3.5/5]
Chillingo has produced a plethora of quality titles and the latest game to hit the App Store from them is Inkvaders HD a sideways scrolling shoot em up which sets you the task of defending the earth from an alien invasion.
While the story line may be a tried and tested one, the unique style of the game certainly isn’t and Chillingo of produced a great looking app that comes to life on the iPad despite the fact that the whole game is in the style of a notepad, hand drawn cartoon.
The whole game utilizes this style from the hand that turns the pages and replaces you character after he’s been killed to the torn paper objects that add depth to the game the whole game oozes style and creativity.
The game is easy to pick up and after a few seconds spent in boot camp learning the basics you are set free to slaughter as many aliens as get in your way. Four virtual buttons control your character, two directional buttons in the bottom left hand corned of the screen while two action buttons in the bottom right control your jet pack and weapon respectively.
As you walk to the left the screen scrolls with you and as you do the aliens will appear, some simply walking from off screen and others appearing directly in front of you as they are beamed down form above.
A swift shot of your active weapon will soon see the aliens exploding, disintegrating and dismembering before your eyes and soon you will find your self having completed the first of thirty levels across 3 different environments.
As you make your way through the levels there are crates that can be opened to increase your ammo, health and jet pack fuel. However, the method used to open these crates is one of my complaints about this game. To open the crate you have to tap it, unfortunately though you can only tap it when you are standing next to it and as your character predominately stays in the center of the screen you have to remove your hand from holding the iPad so that you can reach and tap the crate to open it’s reward.
As well as the bonus items found in crates you can also purchase enhancements to your weaponry via machines placed on each level. Each of the three weapons can be upgraded once you have enough cash of course and as you do they will kill with more power and greater results.
You earn money for your weapons by not only killing the aliens but also grabbing the various meteors as they fly over your head. This is where your jet pack comes in although with the limited fuel you must use it wisely. The jet pack can also be used to avoid the aliens although the avoidance is only temporary as they will chase back after you even when you do fly over their heads.
As this is a Chillingo game you also get access to their Crystal Leader boards and achievements of which their are many adding a degree of re-playability to the game.
While the controls, game play, graphics and sound all add up to yet another quality game from Chillingo there is a lack of variety and while after 10 and 29 levels new environments are added the gameplay remains the same and your right finger or thumb that is in control of the shooting may get a little sore from the constant shooting.
This game is of course a port from Invaders for the iPhone/iPod Touch and if you’ve already played it on either of those devices you aren’t going to find much more here other than sharper graphics.
If however you enjoy blasting aliens and Chillingo’s style of humor then Inkvaders HD could be just the game you are looking for.
Pros
- Great looking and stylish game
- 30 levels of alien blasting action
- Multiple achievement to unlock
Cons
- Repetitive gameplay
- Frustrating crate open method!
Price: $2.99 (App Store)
Category: Games
Released:Jul 17, 2010
Reviewed Version:1.0
Size: 71.9 MB
Language:English
Seller:Chillingo Ltd
© Games Faction Ltd
Requirements:Compatible with iPad. Requires iPhone OS 3.2 or later.