Graphically, with its firework-like explosions and its busy screens, the game obviously brings to mind a certain Geometry Wars, though said Geometry Wars never had the asteroids, and these asteroids float and break apart in a very satisfying and convincing manner.

 

It's a gorgeous game in motion and even when I got a little confused (I haven't found my individual place of coolness and calmness yet, you see) at times, I still very much enjoyed the show: yes, even if my ship slipped out of my vision and I lost one of my precious lives because of it.

 

 

Aurally, the whoosh of the cannon charging up, the boom from the exploding asteroids and the decent music makes for a worthy accompaniment to the graphics.

 

 

Ion Assault can be played in multiplayer online or locally. With the latter, the game can be played cooperatively with another player, although sadly online is limited to the vs. mode. Vs. mode can be played on or offline for up to four players and basically tasks you with the destruction of the bases of the opposition by sending ships out.

 

 

The mode is decent fun, though not to the extent of the cooperative mode, which, with double the firepower, also makes progress that little bit easier.

 

 

Imperfections come in the form of a rather short campaign and slightly dodgy controls, but "Ion Assault" is still well worth the download from Xbox Live Arcade for those who like this type of thing.

 

The game also goes the extra mile and has a unique manner in which to deal with enemies and asteroids, first charging up the cannon and then blasting any opposition or obstacles into space dust.

 

 

 

 

+ The cannon is a nice idea