Laser Ship Infinity review (iOS / Universal)

10 word description: Vertically scrolling shoot-em-up. Tilt controls. Game Center leaderboard.

10 word review: Simple yet curiously enjoyable; would benefit from alternate control method. 

You will like this if you enjoy: Basic space shooters from bygone days. Tilt controls, aka “playing one-handed”.

The good news: Straightforward (classic) gameplay is ideal for pick up and play gaming. Enemies are Tetris blocks and retro arcade consoles, unless I am much mistaken. The name Laser Ship Infinity is really cool.

The bad news: Tilt movement control with no alternative option (rumoured to be addressed in a forthcoming update). Gameplay does not evolve and challenge does not increase. Although ‘coins’ are earned there is nothing to buy with them such as permanent ship upgrades, etc. 

Arcadelife verdict: This game feels dated even by iOS gaming standards, with a single ‘endless’ style game mode, tilt controls, no unlockable stuff or any kind of ship upgrades and a very basic GC leaderboard. In a straight comparison with other iOS vertical scrolling shooters, for example Danmaku Unlimited 2, it seems very limited in both scope and content. However, it has enough of a high-scoring hook to become fairly addictive once you resign yourself to the mandatory tilt controls. It would be good to see this game updated with a set of permanent ship upgrades – give us something to spend those coins on but please don’t tag on any IAPs!

Also worth noting: the larger screen area makes the game considerably easier on the iPad and more challenging (less room to manoeuvre and dodge objects) on iPhone/Touch devices. Of course, the tilt control on the iPad is as much of a bad idea here as in any other game where it is the only available option.

Arcadelife rating

Presentation – 7.5/10
Visuals – 6.5/10
Controls – 4/10
Content – 5/10
Fun – 7.5/10
Final rating – 6/10

NEEDS A FEW TWEAKS

Rating categories explained here.

Version reviewed by Arcadelife is 1.1

Laser Ship Infinity website link

Arcadelife played and reviewed this game on:
5th gen iPod Touch (iOS 7.1.2)
4th gen iPad (iOS 7.1.2)

This review was typed on a Das Keyboard Model S mechanical keyboard – check them out, they’re really rather groovy.