Sweden
Very
good
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Armageddon Squadron – An Excellent Flight Simulator
Tested version: 1.0.8
Latest version: 1.0.9
Requires Android: from 1.5
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Summary
Are you in the mood for an arcade style flight simulator with bombs, machine guns, WWII planes, the whole shebang? Armageddon Squadron might just be the answer to your blood-thirsty prayers. Flying, fighting, shooting, destroying buildings, crushing opponents, protecting one’s own troops – oh yes, this is the real deal. Find out more in today’s review.
Features & Use
Section rating:
First things first: there are 10,12 MB to download. Once this is done I check to see what the app’s required permissions are. Some of them strike me as somewhat odd (why would a game need to access my phone’s status?), but whatevs, I go for it anyway.
Whoa – I have to admit that I’m impressed by the military style music, with choir and everything! First off, I set up a new profile for myself. Once that’s done I’m transported to the app’s main menu where a hefty bomb harbours various functions:
- New Game
- Multiplayer
- Profiles
- Options
- Help
- About
- Exit
Hit ‘Options” in order to regulate the volume of the music, change the sound effects, invert the Y axis and make changes to the controls sensitivity.
‘Help’ provides users with useful information regarding the controls.
I hit ‘New Game’ because I’m eager to give Armageddon Squadron. The bomb drops and explodes in my face revealing four game modes for me to choose from: Tutorial, Campaign, Time Attack and Arcade. I’m a Armageddon Squadron newbie so I decide to go for Tutorial. I’m told how the controls work (a cinch for anyone who has some plane games experience). Basically, all you have to do is tilt your smartphone in order to move the plane and tap a button on the bottom right to shoot. There’s a button on the top left that lets you check out the weapons menu. One thing that confused and irritated me in the tutorial mode: a certain functions calls for pushing the rectangle, or R or B – but my phone doesn’t have any of these things. The game was optimised for Sony Ericcson Xperia Play, so unless you’re running it on that you may experience the same thing.
The arsenal at my disposal: machine gun bombs (to the front and back). Whenever an enemy is near a warning (in the form of a red ring) flashes up, inciting me to attack. The cross hairs automaticaly fix the enemy as soon as he is close enough.
The menu button is positioned suboptimally in the sense that it’s located right beneath the shooting ring. I accidently hit it a few times when I was really caught up in the heat of the moment. That said, I got used to it after playing a few times and the problem no longer arises now that I’m an old hand at the game.
I raze a tank, a plane and an entire building to the ground and am summoned to present myself to my campaign. There are three campaigns to choose from, each consisting of four missions, making a total of 12 missions. New campaigns (and hence missions) are activated as you play.
The circle located at the top of the display serves both as a radar as well as a life and speed indicator. The airplane’s speed can be altered using the yellow bar.
The icons symbolise your enemies – looking at them you can tell in what shape your opponents are in, and hence what your mission’s targets are.
The amount of weapons indicate how much ammunition per weapon there is. The transparent arrow shows me from which direction my enemies are coming from.
Some levels have to be completed within a time frame; this is indicated within the weapons menu.
Now, if that sounds like a cluttered UI you can breathe a sigh of relief because it’s actually a lot easier and intuitive than it might sound.
The game is very animated and there’s always something going on, which makes for a fun and optically stimulating gaming experience.
When I first started playing I was taken aback by a sound that I can only describe as mechanical flatulence. I soon found out that this sound is there to let me know that my machine is pretty damaged and thus calls for caution on my part.
Bottom line:
Armageddon Squadron just keeps getting better and better. It is amazing how sophisticated smartphone/tablet games can be. The details in the graphic design are beautiful and the controls are smart. The game is really action-packed and there are quite a few planes, levels and missions, so get ready for a long flight.
I must say that the sound effects made me smile (plane wind, how rude!), but they don’t lessen the enjoyment to be had.
If that isn’t enough, there’s a multiplayer mode.
Screen & Controls
Section rating:
There’s a whole lot going on on the Armageddon Squadron display, but somehow things manage to stay organised enough so as not to become confusing. My only meager bone of contention would be the somewhat unfortunate placement of the menu button.
Aside from this controls are very smooth and my overall impression is very good.
Speed & Stability
Section rating:
I am beyond impressed with the graphics and controls. Armageddon Squadron is visually very detailed, which means that it can take a brief while for stuff to load, but not to a point that it could be considered a nuisance. It hasn’t crashed on me once so far.
Price/Performance Ratio
Section rating:
Armageddon Squadron usually costs US$3,56 // EUR2,66, which is a hefty sum IMO. Seeing as it is our App of the Week you can pick it up for only US$1,74 EUR1,30. Not bad!
Developer
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Market Comments
A Google User, Jan 25, 2013
Why???? Ffs. All my game saves wiped for this update which had NO NEW CONTENT. Just a bunch of crappy social network button bloatware. Game is good but polarbit are douche bags.
A Google User, Dec 25, 2012
}::DizastA{:: This game is one of the best on the market, along with Iron Sight, Armored Strike! No One can CRY abt any of these games...
A Google User, Nov 22, 2012
Tried twice now...See NEW update at end. Does NOT work on a Samsung Galaxy Tab 7 Plus - - PERIOD. This time, I couldn't get my money back. An update: If you sort these ratings by date, there are a lot of 1 star ratings. I wonder why? Does the developer even care?! I got a response from the developer! I was asked to try 1.0.9 AND IT WORKS. I've only tried it enough to give it 2 more stars (I like it so far) , but will give it a better try soon. And I feel I owe the dev an apology. ... I wholeheartedly apologize! Another update: Changed my rating to a 5 despite the fact the Exit menu choice doesn't work for me. I merely use the System Back Arrow. Anyway, I've played the game quit a bit since the 1.0.9 fix. It's actually one of favorites right now. The controls are very 'crisp,' much more than several others I have. All in all, an excellent game!
A Google User, Nov 22, 2012
Now works on Galaxy S3 but... No sound; hardware sound control does not work. Sound volume and SFX volume in options do not work (stuck at zero, controls do not operate)
A Google User, Nov 20, 2012
Good!!! But....... This is the best game ever!!!( For airplane catogeries only) But the only thing I dislike about this game is the screen resolution. It does not fit with my screen. This is the part which had disappointed me.
A Google User, Nov 20, 2012
awesome game I love this game. i have spent a few hours playing. Armageddon Squadron has helped me pass the time on many of a slow day. The game takes skill and plays well. would like to see some more planes but other then that its awesome. not to mention the Dev is quick to get back to you if help is needed.
Anonymous, Sep 24, 2012
Was great but now no longer works Tutorial has been ported directly from the iPhone version so doesn't correctly describe the right controls for an Android phone. However, once you crack them they are suprisigly intuitive. Ignore the garish colours and you'll find this is a SUPERB 3D game. Just a few more levels please! UPDATE - above review relates to my old HTC Desire HD. Game now refuses to run on newer HTC Sensation XE. VERY dissapointed so I've had to (reluctantly) reduce my rating to one star.
Richard, Aug 7, 2012
Flippy Don't work on galaxy s3 or HTC ONE X please fix then it would get 5 star!
Anonymous, Jul 18, 2012
Pleaes Update like you did for demo to ics only demo version does only demo version runs on ICS the paid version needs update...0
Ronald, May 1, 2012
NOT FOR GALAXY S2 Even thought Play! says it is compatible with a Galaxy S2, it most certainly is not. Also Polarbit does not respond to help requests, nor refund request. I had to contact Play! in order to get refund processed. I would stay away from this game if you have a Galaxy S2. The free version works fine, but the paid version crashes all the time. Shame, as I did like the game.
Got an update for ICS... game now working 100%