Operating System: Android
Played on: HTC Evo 4G
Developer: Gray Fin Studios
Genre: Arcade
Cost: $2.99
I’m sure at least one other person has noticed that the Android Market is finally starting to build a decent catalog of mobile games. It took way too long, but it’s finally starting to happen. Games like the recently reviewed Radiant HD, the soon to be reviewed Game Dev Story, Angry Birds and Guns n’ Glory, and many others have finally given me something to do while waiting in line at the BMV or ignoring my World Literature lecture.
MiniSquadron is an arcade-style, 2D sidescrolling aerial dog-fighter (an airplane game with guns) that offers plenty of innovation, exciting game modes, and tons of different planes to unlock and use to blast your enemies into smithereens. If you have an Android phone, listen up. This review’s for you.
Review:
As stated above, MiniSquadron is a 2D arcade dogfighter, meaning you take control of a plane and blast wave after wave of enemies out of the air. I played the game on the HTC Evo 4G, which is blessed with a gigantic screen, making the game a lot more enjoyable to look at, and it also made it easier to play thanks to the extra screen real estate.
Gameplay is simple, addictive, and easy to pick up and play. The physics are a lot of fun, and a controlling your plane and maneuvering through enemy craft and oncoming artillery feels very natural. Blasting away wave after wave after wave after wave after wave after wave after wave after wave after wave of bad guys does start to feel stale after a bit, but MiniSquadron is designed to be played in short burst so that the experience rarely feels like it drags on. There are loads of planes to collect, a few different game modes and multiplayer support through Feint, as well.
The game uses gorgeous, hand-drawn visuals that add a lot of personality, which is great because the music is all public domain classical music. While it isn’t bad or anything like it, it doesn’t make for a very creative listening experience, though the selected tune is pretty enjoyable.
Final Words:
MiniSquadron is an absolute blast. It’s a bit short if you’re planning on sitting down in your house and blasting through the campaign, but why would anyone do that? This game is meant to be played during short bursts while waiting in line, taking your break at work, or riding the bus. For that, it’s perfect and will last you plenty of time, and there is also multiplayer to add to the entertainment value.
Score: 8.5/10 (Great)