Menneisyys
07-28-2006, 12:17 PM
Excellent Pocket PC gaming site PocketGamer.org (http://www.pocketgamer.org/) has just reported (http://www.pocketgamer.org/showthread.php?s=&postid=36275) on this game. Interestingly, the trial version has 2-year-old filedates inside – don’t know why Handango has only now made it available (http://www.handango.com/PlatformProductDetail.jsp?productId=192934). (Assuming the trial version is up to date, that is.)
Genre
The game is a classic Space Invaders (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Invaders) (pretty similar to Galaga (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galaga), which, in turn, is a descendant of Galaxian (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galaxian) - it’s the latter that is based on the original Space Invaders) clone with some additional twists (balls, (pretty bad) digitized sounds) and a lot of other opponents. It’s also far faster than the original game, which is a definite plus.
http://www.handango.com/include/pictures/1134792/1si.jpg
Availability
Note that, while the game has a trial version, it can be only downloaded from the homepage (http://www.bellennium.com/WindowsMobile.html) of the developer (direct link to the trial version here (http://www.bellennium.com/form.php?down=192934&platf=pocketpc). Do NOT use any kind of download accelerator while getting it; otherwise, you will only get a HTML file with an error message inside). The Handango page (http://www.handango.com/PlatformProductDetail.jsp?productId=192934) has no trial version for download.
The pros
Considerably better and more entertaining than Namco’s official Pocket PC Galaga port (http://www.namcogames.com/game_detail.php?gid=27) – that is, go for this title if you need to get a strict Galaga/ Galaxian/ Invaders clone.
Has no compatibility problems (runs, without problems (including speed/sound problems), on all my PPC2k2+ test devices: the iPAQ 3660, 2210, WM5 hx4700; the PL720, the x51v and the HTC Wizard).
The cons
Considerably worse than any other “real” (not strictly Invaders) space shooter scroller – even Jimmy Software’s 6-year-old Turjah and Turjah II (review here (http://www.pocketpcmag.com/blogs/menneisyys/052006MIPSGames.asp)) are considerably better, not to mention newer clones including even the free GikaDiver (review here (http://www.pocketpcmag.com/blogs/menneisyys/052006MIPSGames.asp)) and a whole slew of other shooters (SkyForce (Reloaded), DarkLaga, Resco Guardian, Particle Wars etc). That is, if you’re just looking for a good shoot’m up game, go for, say, SkyForce Reloaded (info here (http://www.pocketpcmag.com/blogs/index.php?blog=3&p=989&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1) – make sure you follow the links in there) or Arcade Park (review here (http://www.pocketpcmag.com/blogs/index.php?blog=3&p=773&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1)), which only cost $3 more and, technically, are far superior (and Arcade Park has a lot of other minigames).
No in-game music
Memory card problem: it can’t be installed to memory cards – upon start, it’ll complain about missing sprite files
Verdict
I only recommend this title if you want a “barebone” “retro” shooter, as opposed to, say, the completely up-to-date and really spectacular SkyForce Reloaded. If you want a decent shooter, there are much better titles to choose from for not much more money.
Genre
The game is a classic Space Invaders (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Invaders) (pretty similar to Galaga (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galaga), which, in turn, is a descendant of Galaxian (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galaxian) - it’s the latter that is based on the original Space Invaders) clone with some additional twists (balls, (pretty bad) digitized sounds) and a lot of other opponents. It’s also far faster than the original game, which is a definite plus.
http://www.handango.com/include/pictures/1134792/1si.jpg
Availability
Note that, while the game has a trial version, it can be only downloaded from the homepage (http://www.bellennium.com/WindowsMobile.html) of the developer (direct link to the trial version here (http://www.bellennium.com/form.php?down=192934&platf=pocketpc). Do NOT use any kind of download accelerator while getting it; otherwise, you will only get a HTML file with an error message inside). The Handango page (http://www.handango.com/PlatformProductDetail.jsp?productId=192934) has no trial version for download.
The pros
Considerably better and more entertaining than Namco’s official Pocket PC Galaga port (http://www.namcogames.com/game_detail.php?gid=27) – that is, go for this title if you need to get a strict Galaga/ Galaxian/ Invaders clone.
Has no compatibility problems (runs, without problems (including speed/sound problems), on all my PPC2k2+ test devices: the iPAQ 3660, 2210, WM5 hx4700; the PL720, the x51v and the HTC Wizard).
The cons
Considerably worse than any other “real” (not strictly Invaders) space shooter scroller – even Jimmy Software’s 6-year-old Turjah and Turjah II (review here (http://www.pocketpcmag.com/blogs/menneisyys/052006MIPSGames.asp)) are considerably better, not to mention newer clones including even the free GikaDiver (review here (http://www.pocketpcmag.com/blogs/menneisyys/052006MIPSGames.asp)) and a whole slew of other shooters (SkyForce (Reloaded), DarkLaga, Resco Guardian, Particle Wars etc). That is, if you’re just looking for a good shoot’m up game, go for, say, SkyForce Reloaded (info here (http://www.pocketpcmag.com/blogs/index.php?blog=3&p=989&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1) – make sure you follow the links in there) or Arcade Park (review here (http://www.pocketpcmag.com/blogs/index.php?blog=3&p=773&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1)), which only cost $3 more and, technically, are far superior (and Arcade Park has a lot of other minigames).
No in-game music
Memory card problem: it can’t be installed to memory cards – upon start, it’ll complain about missing sprite files
Verdict
I only recommend this title if you want a “barebone” “retro” shooter, as opposed to, say, the completely up-to-date and really spectacular SkyForce Reloaded. If you want a decent shooter, there are much better titles to choose from for not much more money.