The best game in this issue's roundup is Enslave, an all-out action game of planetary conquest. The game has quality written all over it and is probably the best game I've seen so far this year. If you like classic arcade games, be sure to check out Arcade Park, Mr. Boo, and Retro Detonation.
Enslave (A)
Enslave is probably the most anticipated release of 2006. The idea is simple: colonize planets by landing and destroying aliens. A pure shooter, Enslave's game play takes place in two screens: the map screen, where you can fly through space, visit shops, engage random enemy ships, and find planets to take over; and the planet screen, where you land on enemy planets and attack waves of enemies (like the old game Paratrooper). Enslave has unusually good graphics, better-than-average game play, and an attention to detail that place it far above most other shooting games.
As a shooting game, Enslave is an absolute blast.
For more information on this game, visit the Pocket More Games Web site (http://www.pocketmoregames.com). Enslave supports Pocket PC 2002 and newer devices. A demo is available, and the full version can be purchased for $19.95.
Scarabeus (A-)
With good graphics (QVGA and VGA are both supported), good audio, and an unusual idea, Scarabeus is one of the more unique games I've seen this year. The idea is to shunt balls along passageways in order to connect four of the same color on rotating discs at intersections. Several discs exist in each level along with complications like springs and direction changers. Scarabeus is a simple but enjoyable concept, especially with the exotic visual backdrop.
Scarabeus has a terrific feel and is a very fresh idea.
For more information on this game, visit the PD3A Web site (http://www.pd3a.com). Scarabeus supports Pocket PC 2002 and newer devices. A demo is available, and the full version can be purchased for $19.95.
Arcade Park (B+)
Arcade Park offers eight games in one package. Included are Arcade Ball (Breakout), Asteroids (based on the original Atari game of the same name), Bushman (Pac-Man), Digger (Dig-Dug), Gold Hunter (Lode Runner), Galaxy Invaders (Galaga), Real Tanx (Battlezone), and Riverside Assault (River Raid). Bushman is a little odd since it features a hairball as the main character, but all of the games are decent renditions of the originals. The quality varies a bit from title to title, and Riverside Assault is probably the most enjoyable game in the package, especially since we don't see too many River Raid clones on the Pocket PC. The game's major limitation is that the controls are not configurable. If you can overlook this limitation, AP is a game worth checking out.
Arcade Park brings several strong (if unofficial) versions of classic arcade games.
For more information on this game, visit the Hero Craft Web site (http://www.herocraft.com). Arcade Park supports Pocket PC 2002 and newer devices. A demo is available, and the full version can be purchased for $9.95.
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