The developers recently showcased the first gameplay video of the game as part of the Firaxis Games Megapanel at PAX South. According to 2K Beyond Earth and Starships is expected to feature an integration between the two titles which “will enhance and expand the depth of both game experiences.”

Starships is based on a story line that builds up on connecting with other galaxies to engage in duels, diplomacy or trade. The gameplay showcased during the event shows how you will be able to customise your starships with armour, capabilities and wonders.

“When designing Starships, I was intrigued by the idea of exploring the next chapter in the story of Civilization: Beyond Earth. What happens after we colonize our new home and eventually build starships to take to the stars? What has become of our long-lost brothers and sisters from the planet Earth?” said Sid Meier, director of creative development at Firaxis Games. “My goal was to create an experience that focuses on starship design and combat within a universe filled with interstellar adventure, diplomacy, and exploration.”

The interstellar game theme provides maps predominantly defined by asteroids along with quick routes that appear and then disappear. When you attack your opponent their position behind an asteroid will determine how much damage your attack will cause. Planning your attack position to maximise your damage will play a major role in your attack strategy.

Sid Meier’s Starships is expected to be available for Mac, iPad and PC in spring 2015. Watch the gameplay and announcement trailer below. What do you think about the game? Let us know in the comments.

Gameplay video

Announcement trailer

Darkside is the second iOS title from developer Clockwook Pixels and if you have a soft spot for the retro game Asteroids then Darkside may be worth a look.

For those of you under 30 Asteroids is a 2 dimensional space shooter where you control a 4 line spaceship surrounded by spinning asteroids with your only option to spin and shoot your way through them.

While Asteroids still stands the test of time Darkside brings it into the 21st century with gorgeous retina display graphics, firework like explosions and a thumping aural experience.

Each level is based on a planet which you spin around and using the left virtual analog stick while shooting a full 360 degrees using the right virtual analog stick. The controls are simple and effective and allow you to navigate the busy planet at speed which is something you’ll need if you plan to progress through the levels.

You single weapon soon finds itself as little help against the huge asteroids that are bombarding you but luckily a variety of power-ups will provide you with just what you need to blast through the levels.

The game comes in three flavors, Arcade, Mission and Survival modes which add slightly different challenges to the main concept. Arcade is included in as part of the free universal app while a single in-app purchase will unlock the additional two modes.

If you are looking for a shooter that fires up the senses or want to relive the memories of yesterday year then you can’t go far wrong with Darkside that has a built-in trial period thanks to the 99 cent in-app purchase.

Amongst the players of Dark Nebula – Episode 1 the anticipation for the impending release of Dark Nebula – Episode 2 has been growing and growing. The developers have been releasing bite sized chunks of information regarding the new release and then in May a preview was released and few, if any were disappointed by what they saw and played.

Now the full version is available and at just 99 cents it’s great value for money, you may want to continue reading the rest of this review but if you do, and to be honest you should, be aware that you will have lost a few moments of your time where you could have been playing this game instead!

Dark Nebula – Episode 2 offers 19 new levels of edge of the seat excitement, improved visuals a great sound track and now a new combat system that lets you fight back against some of the obstacles that you will face.

The developers themselves describe the game as like a labyrinth game on steroids and while that sounds great it’s the beginning of it. You take control of a disk shaped object and using the accelerometer you slide it over the landscape. Beautiful natural levels, matrix like electronic ones, dark industrial levels and desert based levels all look great and the soundtrack and effects just adds to the overall experience.

If you’ve played the original Dark Nebula then you will feel perfectly at home in Episode 2, that’s not to say that you will be bored though as new puzzles and enemies have been added to find new ways to for you to lose your lives!

While the levels in Episode 1 just scrolled vertically up the iPhones screen the levels on Episode 2 now also scroll sideways and you will often find a sneeky orb or two hiding off to the left or right of the screen.

As well as the challenges that have been brought over from the original game there are some new ones to contend with, conveyor belts will now push and pull you along certain walkways while moving spiked contraptions will kill you in an instant should you touch them without a shield.

Other new additions are step stones which when triggered via a switch will appear allowing you to transverse areas where previously there were no floors. Don’t hang around though as they will disappear as quickly as they appeared in the first place. Then there are the lasers which sweep across the screen happy to cut you in two.

In addition to all this there are bosses that will take multiple hits and tactics to destroy which all adds up to the best 99 cent game in the App Store bar none.

The same scoring system is in place with each level being marked on a combination of time, orbs collected and lives lost and then these scores can be uploaded to Facebook as well as being compared to local and global leader boards giving you multiple reasons to come back to the game even after completing it.

The one small, and I repeat small, problem with Dark Nebula – Episode 2 is that the 19 levels can be completed relatively quickly, however the previously mentioned leader boards and the two difficulty levels offer replay value as does the sheer pleasure of playing it.

Pros

• The smoothest control system
• Beautiful graphics and animation
• Now with combat system
• Enjoyable soundtrack

Cons

• Too easy?

Price: $0.99 (App Store)
Category: Games
Released:Aug 05, 2010
Reviewed Version:1.0
Size: 77.5 MB
Languages:English, French, German, Italian, Spanish
Seller:1337 Game Design
© 1337 Game Design
Requirements:Compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Requires iPhone OS 3.0 or later