Robots make for interesting games, but do you know what makes for even more interesting games? More robots! Fighting each other! This Android game roundup features a few heavy-hitting games for your mobile phone. Only one has robots, but all three are really, really good!
Robotek HD - If someone sat you down and told you that playing a game of giant robot vs. giant robot where combat is handled by randomly-spinning slots, you'd be all like "psheh, more like boring!". Then that special someone would sit you down and get you to play Robotek HD, at which point you'd have to eat your words, because this robot battling game is quite the awesome one. Nasty 'bots have taken over your world, but you're fighting back, one node at a time. Face off against another machine and start the slots spinning to determine your attack. Get a strong roll and your moves will be stronger. Get a weak one and they'll be weaker. With that left up to luck, your strategy comes in the form of choosing which set of slots to spin: defense, hacking, or attacking. It's very much a rock-paper-scissors sort of game. Learn the symbols, play it careful and strategic, and you'll emerge victorious time after time!
Infernus: Verse 1 - Who are you? Where are you? You're in some sort of old, dirty jail cell. That much is certain. But... everything else is pretty unclear. Trapped in a dark cage, you must explore a 3D world in this first installment in the Android series. Similar to Mystique. Chapter 1: Foetus, Infernus aims to recreate that room escape feeling on the mobile platform, putting the entirety of the controls in your pinch/swipe-capable hands. It's short, to be sure, but Infernus: Verse 2 has already hit and extends the experience quite a bit. The gameplay is a little rough around the edges, but the concept is solid and the visuals are top-notch.
Stellar Escape - Time to run! This level-based Canabalt sort of jump and run game takes the action to a more complex level and introduces five possible moves you can unleash to deal with a number of different obstacles. Jump, slide, dive, swing, and stomp down as you make your way out of the space base on your way to the glowing green exit at the end. Everything in your way can be avoided with one of these moves, and while which move you must use is obvious at first, soon your reflexes and coordination are really put to the test. A great-looking running game that's a fantastic fit on any mobile device.
NOTE: Games listed may not be available outside of North America. Prices are subject to change and are therefore unlisted. Please see the individual game pages for purchasing info. Games have been confirmed to run on Android 2.2 on an HTC Incredible.
Infernus: Verse 1 and Robotek appear to currently be free. (Infernus: Verse 2 appears to be out as well, but is $2 or so.)
Robotek is actually always free, but it's supported by totally optional in-game purchases.
I don't think I've ever fallen in and out of love with a game so emphatically as I did with Robotek. The gorgeous visuals and novelty of the game instantly pulled me in. Unfortunately, the learning curve on strategies and tactics proved to be quite shallow; worse, the random spinning of the 2nd and 3rd slots means that you only have control over 1/3rd of your turns, something which gets more and more frustrating over time, when you should otherwise be reaping the benefits of the skill you've gained. Worse yet, the game itself (as documented) tries to balance out battles by giving more chance to the losing player of getting perfect rolls and free turns. This does make some sense on the surface, but in effect, merely turns the games into mostly random, pointless affairs.
It's really too bad- Robotek has the makings of a very good game, but the mechanics just don't work, long-term.
BTW- thanks for the short and to-the-point reviews, JohnB. Definite breath of fresh air, here.
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