Space Junk review (iOS / Universal)

♫ “And now I’m mad about space junk
I’m all burned out about space junk”

10 word description: Retro themed, Asteroids style shooter. Destroy space junk, collect power-ups.

10 word review: Great vector graphics shooter gets everything pretty much spot on.

The level that looks most like Asteroids takes a while to reach

You will like this if you enjoy: Asteroids / Asteroids Deluxe, retro arcade-style games, space-themed shooters, high-score games.

The backdrops and enemies change on each level

The good news: Gorgeous retro/vector graphics. Sounds & music are wonderfully atmospheric and really suit the game, perfectly complementing the visuals. Gameplay is a satisfying blend of sparkly vector destruction and tactical power-up chasing. Deaths never feel cheap. Levels and enemy objects are varied and often amusing.

Woof woof... good doggy, play dead

The bad news: I tried, but I can’t think of anything to deter any arcade/shooter fan from thoroughly enjoying this game. There’s no Game Center but that isn’t “bad”, just something that can be added later.

Arcadelife verdict:  I’m a tough reviewer to please when it comes to Asteroids style games because Asteroids was my first truly great gaming obsession and it’s still near the top of my list of favourite videogames. Just because a game looks a bit like Asteroids doesn’t mean I’m going to instantly fall in love with it. If it fails, even marginally, to live up to my nostalgic expectations, I’m not going to want to play it very much.

The amount of crap floating about up there is a serious problem. Luckily some bloke with a jet pack and a plasma cannon is going to sort it all out

Space Junk is great. The first time I played it I still had earphones in from watching a film on my iPad and the first thing that hit me was the incredibly evocative music, almost like Tubeway Army signed up to create the theme to a space shooter… I could feel the smile forming even before I fired my first shot. If you fancy a game where you can blast apart vector versions of Laika, the first dog in space, the Hubble space telescope, lumps of cheese, or just plain old asteroids, you know where to sign up.

NEVER !!!

Arcadelife rating: 94/100

Version reviewed by Arcadelife is 001

Space Junk website link

Arcadelife played and reviewed this game on:
4th gen iPod Touch (OS 4.3.5)
iPad (OS 4.3.5)