Review: Critical Wave - New Dual Stick Shooting Sensation?
by Staff Writer
February 24, 2010
Overview
Critical Wave is a brand new game which plays very similar to Meteor Blitz, but with a Geometry Wars theme. The game is set up with just survival mode so it feels like it’s a cross of the casual endlessness of Papi Jump with a dual stick space shooter. You control the white ship and proceed to face triangles, squares, and huge bosses that increase in size from level to level.
Features
As stated there is just survival mode which comes in two flavors, easy and hard. As you progress the enemies come in more varieties, and in bigger waves. To be able to handle the onslaught there are upgrades including increasing your cannon & laser fire power, shockwave ability, and special power.
Every level has one big boos, and a couple mini bosses to deal with as well. The big boss grows in size and power for the next level after each time you defeat it. You can pinch to zoom out as well to see where mines are. Online leaderboards are included, and show in game ranking.
The Good
Critical Wave is fast paced hectic fun with great dual stick controls. It’s instantly accessible to anyone with smooth and easy controls, as well as a very friendly tutorial. Once you get into the action you’ll be instantly hooked.
Having just survival mode makes it a casual dual stick shooter like no other in the App Store, but maintains a level structure as well. It’s a wonderful mechanic to have the boss increase in size and power each time you defeat it making it that much tougher in the next level. On top of that there are mini bosses in each level which are a challenge in their own right.
The geometry wars theme is well done which pits you against all kinds of shapes with some that collapse into smaller shapes to keep coming at you. The screen is an actual rectangle with borders, but you can go through a border, and come out on the other side to escape heavy waves. As you defeat the enemies it builds the critical meter which when full ushers in the big boss, and the entire screen flashes, and changes color.
The upgrade system is a nice addition giving you five tools to upgrade with multiple upgrades for each one. You will need the added firepower, as the boss is upgrading with each level. As you progress the screen becomes full of shapes attacking you, and you will be glad you have smooth dual control sticks to maneuver.
With the two difficulty modes presenting a new game each, and every game having random spawning of enemies there is tons of replayability. On top of that there are online high scores that even show your ranking during the game. The game also saves your level progress, but no in level, so for example when you restart you begin at level 5 rather than in the middle.
It's just such an action packed fun experience swerving around constantly firing upon all types of enemies with so many on screen at once. There is never a dull moment, and you will be constantly engaged which is definitely a rare feat in the App Store. This is dual stick shooting at its finest.
Critical Wave looks great and flows well even with a bunch of action on screen. Everything is finely polished with a lot of detail, and there are some good particle effects as well. A nice techno beat is included, and the sound effects of the firing and explosions are spot-on.
One thing that Critical Wave has that could be good or bad, is a very similar set up to Meteor Blitz. It copies all of the neat features including the way new enemies spawn, auto pause when you take your fingers off screen, and in-game high score ranking. Though it may be a little too close if you know what I mean (just ask Stoneloops).
The Bad
One concern is that you never know the health of your ship until it explodes. This is quite bothersome, as you never know when you’re about to lose one of your three lives. Another slight problem is that the game doesn’t save your name on high score entry. With that small of a concern you know there weren’t many problems.
The Verdict
Critical Wave is one of the most enjoyable dual stick shooters in the App Store. The game is non-stop action that is so much fun, and then is combined with outstanding production values. It takes the best aspects of other games, and presents a whole new game that will have you hooked playing again and again.
The upgrade system is really well done for the boss and your own ship upgrades which really sets this game apart. For $2.99 Critical Wave is a should buy, but only has survival mode.