Blue Attack! (iPhone, 2009)

A few months back a guy named John Kooistra released a simple, yet well developed shooter on the App Store called Blue Defense!. The game consisted of the player defending a blue planet from incoming red missiles and space ships. The sole control mechanism was the accelerometer, and the game was devoid of sound. Never the less, the title was effective, affordable, and a lot of fun. Players latched on to its pick up and play presentation, as well as it's crisp, clean graphical style. The one dollar price tag didn't hurt either.


Just this month a sequel was released titled Blue Attack!. Set in apparently the same universe, Attack! once more engages the player in savage combat with the red guys, only this time, we're playing offense.

The game is a two dimensional, directional shooter. While this type of game is a common thing nowadays (especially on the App store), Kooistra's approach in Attack! is such that the game stands out with undeniable distinction.

The game grants the player a lot of freedom. As you destroy enemies, you earn "loot" which can be used to purchase upgrades and new weapons for your ship. You can also tack on additional wing mates (up to eight ships identical to yours, but smaller in size) that will fly along with you and shoot at whatever you're shooting at. You can even change their formation, causing them to fly behind you as a chevron, or a long, snaking tail.




The game offers two control options (a rare thing in iPhone games), allowing you to manipulate your ship using either the touch screen or the accelerometer. Shooting happens automatically, and your ammo is infinite, allowing you to focus all your attention on piloting your ship. This is a good thing, because you'll be plenty busy doing it. The accelerometer can be calibrated at leisure, allowing the player to sit up straight, recline, or even lay flat on their back without having the controls go all wonky (a common problem in games of this type).

Like Defense!, Attack!'s graphics are nothing short of pretty. Developers seem constantly striving to make the iPhone's hardware capabilities work for them, and Kooistra has done an excellent job of developing an art style and presentation that works, both for his games, and for the iPhone itself.

Attack! also offers two gameplay modes - Campaign, and Infinite. Campaign tasks the player with completing several increasingly challenging levels in succession, until a final confrontation with the boss (I still can't beat it). Infinite is exactly what you think it is - you keep playing until you're out of lives, and rack up as many points as you can.

For an iPhone game, Blue Attack! offers a lot of depth and replayability. The graphics, sound, and controls are executed to near perfection, and there's fun to be had by anyone willing to shell out the $1.99 it'll take to add this title to your library. It's well worth it, and I wouldn't be surprised if we see a port popping up on the Xbox Live Arcade sometime in the next couple years (Okay, maybe this is a little unlikely. But I can dream.)


You know it's a good day when somebody says this to you.