Nova Run Review
Flight Control in space might be the most obvious way to describe Nova Run, but this comparison, however complimentary, doesn’t quite cover it. Granted, the game features familiar tactics such as route plotting and collision avoidance, but developer Scott Marsden has thrown enough innovative features into the mix to differentiate this stab at the genre from similar titles already on the Appstore.
A decent sci-fi back-story and a tangible enemy in the shape of the Kortovians means Nova Run is a compelling experience from the outset. While slick graphics, complex gameplay, four skill levels and an infinite number of levels to dodge and blast your through will keep you coming back for more.
Playing like a cross between a line drawing game and shoot-em-up, Nova Run is great fun and super addictive. Controls are easily grasped. Tap a space craft to put on the brakes, or double tap to unleash an impressive EMP (electromagnetic pulse, or big explosion in layman’s terms), which obliterates any nearby enemy ships. And here’s where the shooter comparisons come in: combos can be scored depending on how many bad guys you take out, whilst a watchful eye must be kept on your energy gauges at all times (weapon and shield).
This added level of complexity, means Nova Run has a steeper learning curve than other games of its ilk, but is an all the more rewarding experience for it. There’s a great sense of achievement when you destroy every enemy on-screen, level-up, miss another space ship by a fraction of an inch, or beat a previous high score.
Production values are also high. The action is set against a beautifully rendered static backdrop of stars and asteroids, while there are options to submit high-scores to open feint network and listen to your own music as you play. My only real criticism of the game is that there’s not much variety between levels, and staring at the same red planet gets a tad tiresome.
Overall though, Nova Run is a highly polished and fun affair, which should appeal to the casual and hardcore player alike. And Its just-one-more-go addictiveness, stunning visuals and effects earn this title a stellar score.
Score: 8.5 out of 10
It might be easily overlooked with all the action going on in the foreground, but the background is actually ever-changing with asteroids and a nebula all moving at a different speeds. (the planets also change as you progress up the levels).
Based on all the feedback from users the Nova Run team is currently in the process of putting the final touches on their next release. Expect the following additions in version 1.1:
– Background scenery changes happening faster.
– A forward swipe on a forward moving ship gives it a momentary speed-boost to sqeeze past an imminent collision.
– Ever wondered what was stored in the compartment of the double-hulled ship? In version 1.1 you will be able to do a sideways-swipe to launch it’s heat-seaking missile!
– Other secret changes… you’ll have to wait for update 1.1 to see ;-)
Hey Scott, yeah sorry I didn’t notice the background does actually move whilst playing, must have been too engrossed by the primary action.
Anyway really enjoyed the game, and I’m looking forward to the update…those new features sound great!