Game Review: Air Strike 2
Platform: PC
Publisher: Reflexive
Developer: Divo Games
ESRB: Teen
Genre: Action/Arcade
Pros:
Fun, animated 3D graphics
Insane, arcadey air combat
Simple yet effective control scheme
Bargain bin price
Large variety of weapons
Cons:
Ear-grating techno soundtrack
Over far too fast
Fluctuating difficulty
Wafer plot
20-Second Skirmish
This'll be somewhat of a quickie review, as it was somewhat of a quickie game. The game's 18 levels are all fairly short and can be beaten largely in one sitting in true arcade fashion, if you're up to it. But those 18 levels will grab you by the brain and send you through a rollercoaster ride of goodness. The first thing you'll notice when you pop it in are the colorful and vivid graphics. While somewhat outdated technically, you generally don't pay attention to that with all the explosions and gunfire racing across your retinas.
You play as a helicopter ace commanded by your...commander...while basically going through and killing everything that moves. There's some sort of paper thin plot, yadda yadda, but as this is largely an arcade game, it's not too important. Gameplay unfolds in a feel reminiscent to Ikaruga or other top-down shooters. Control is simple, controlled largely by the mouse and a few keys to switch through your numerous weapons and missiles. Guns and sidearms are upgraded on the go via pickups, and some of them (try out the Nuke) look absolutely spectacular, showering your screen with over the top visuals.
To Fly...or Not to Fly
Some minor squabbles include a fluctuating difficulty level, which for most of the game is fairly easy but at some parts can get hair-ripping frustrating. Bullets and missles move fast and are difficult to dodge, so the idea in this game is to shoot them before they shoot you. Your helicopter can swerve with the grace and civility of a truck, so don't expect fancy footwork on your part.
But...for $20, this game is a pretty good deal. The gameplay is short and sweet, and if you're looking for a quick weekend fix, here you go.
Final Score: 76%
Platform: PC
Publisher: Reflexive
Developer: Divo Games
ESRB: Teen
Genre: Action/Arcade
Pros:
Fun, animated 3D graphics
Insane, arcadey air combat
Simple yet effective control scheme
Bargain bin price
Large variety of weapons
Cons:
Ear-grating techno soundtrack
Over far too fast
Fluctuating difficulty
Wafer plot
20-Second Skirmish
This'll be somewhat of a quickie review, as it was somewhat of a quickie game. The game's 18 levels are all fairly short and can be beaten largely in one sitting in true arcade fashion, if you're up to it. But those 18 levels will grab you by the brain and send you through a rollercoaster ride of goodness. The first thing you'll notice when you pop it in are the colorful and vivid graphics. While somewhat outdated technically, you generally don't pay attention to that with all the explosions and gunfire racing across your retinas.
You play as a helicopter ace commanded by your...commander...while basically going through and killing everything that moves. There's some sort of paper thin plot, yadda yadda, but as this is largely an arcade game, it's not too important. Gameplay unfolds in a feel reminiscent to Ikaruga or other top-down shooters. Control is simple, controlled largely by the mouse and a few keys to switch through your numerous weapons and missiles. Guns and sidearms are upgraded on the go via pickups, and some of them (try out the Nuke) look absolutely spectacular, showering your screen with over the top visuals.
To Fly...or Not to Fly
Some minor squabbles include a fluctuating difficulty level, which for most of the game is fairly easy but at some parts can get hair-ripping frustrating. Bullets and missles move fast and are difficult to dodge, so the idea in this game is to shoot them before they shoot you. Your helicopter can swerve with the grace and civility of a truck, so don't expect fancy footwork on your part.
But...for $20, this game is a pretty good deal. The gameplay is short and sweet, and if you're looking for a quick weekend fix, here you go.
Final Score: 76%