The opening screen offers a choice of two distinct control styles, the 'classic' and the 'twin-stick'. The classic was reminiscent of games like Thrust, or more famously Asteroids, allowing the player to angle their ship and then from a set angle of orientation thrust and fire. Twin-stick controls are perhaps more self-explanatory, with each stick allowing the ship's thrust and fire to be used independently.

 

 

It is always nice to have options, and I applaud them for including the ‘classic’ option for older players (like myself) who want to remember the classic games this imitates, however there is an issue off balance. While it has two different methods of control Gravity Crash only seems to have been balanced for the twin-stick control. Trusting in to an area, and carefully picking your way through its geometry to be greeted by an enemy above AND below with classic controls proves a challenge that is near insurmountable without a significant amount of practice, especially with the games underpowered weaponry.

 

Expecting the players to progress and gain the required skills is of course valid design choice, but when one control option allows the problem to be solved with some ease while the other leaves me pulling (what I have left of) my hair out there is something wrong.

 

 

Gravity Crash takes a hefty dose of neon, à la Geometry Wars, in its style. There is a constant stream of explosions, showers of sparks and vivid colours all set against a predominantly black background. It is a style that I am starting to feel is a over used, but at least Gravity Crash uses it with some level of functionality.

 

By virtue of the games colour coding of the enemies, landscape and allies you are able quickly formulate plans without any trouble identifying each tiny pixels on your HD screen as each become instantly recognisable.

 

 

Local versus play only I am afraid and I had now one to play with so I can offer little here. I can offer that I used to play Thrust with my friend on his Amiga and it was a blast. Not sure that counts though. If I get a chance to play with someone I will post an update at a later date.

 

"Gravity Crash" is an incredibly challenging arcade game. It takes a little more getting used to compared to other shooters currently available, offering a mission based structure Undeniably aimed at more experienced players who want a little more challenge in their games and is happy to balance twitch reactions with a degree of faïence that are rarely combined in the genre.

 

If this kind of challenge sounds appealing to you then it is without doubt a worthwhile purchase as I suspect you are the kind of person for whom the high score mechanic and leader boards will prove more appealing. For the other players it is more difficult decision as its difficulty could easily lead to frustration as you find yourself repeatedly continuing to get through levels.

 

 

 

 

+ Solid gameplay is elevated by the addition of physics
+ Amusing interludes
+ Challenging…