Highwind ($0.99) by Selva Interactive is a singular shooter that includes paper airplanes, and a number of them. For those who get pleasure from shooters resembling Danmaku Limitless 3 and AKA TO BLUE, however desire a contact of minimalism, then Highwind is one to take a look at.

Life will get hectic (it positively has been for me the previous few days), so there's nothing higher than sitting right down to unwind and calm down. Normally for me, this includes puzzle video games of some type, however every so often I would like one thing completely different. If it's not puzzles, it's in all probability an arcade recreation that includes taking pictures issues up. I'm an enormous fan of bullet hell shooters, however after I noticed Highwind, I used to be intrigued by the fashion. It's positively a recreation that’s completely different and in contrast to something you've performed earlier than, which is rarely a foul factor.

App Feels Like

App Feels Like

App Feels Like

$4.99

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Sunny Tam

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TANOSHIMASU CO.,LTD.

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State of Play Video games Ltd

Visually, Highwind has a easy and clear aesthetic that works nicely. For the reason that focus in Highwind is on paper planes, the graphics characteristic a paper origami fashion look and texture that’s primary however pops out because of the colour and shading. It's paying homage to video games like KAMI 2, which is gorgeous. Highwind's shade palette is a good mixture of daring and vibrant hues with subtler, muted tones, so every part contrasts properly. Animations are buttery clean and fluid on my iPhone 8 Plus, with no lag or choppiness in body price. There's additionally an upbeat and soothing atmospheric soundtrack that I discovered quite enjoyable. The sound results are enjoyable and sci-fi fashion. The builders did a wonderful job with Highwind's visible and audio design.

In Highwind, whereas there are ranges, gamers have to start out from the start on every run. This half is just a little annoying, as I want that there was a solution to simply choose the stage you need to begin from. Nonetheless, it's enjoyable to observe your development over time. The sport can also be randomly generated every time, so the enemy waves are completely different in your performs. The purpose is simple: defeat the entire enemy ships in every wave, whereas avoiding different obstacles in an effort to transfer on to the following stage. Whereas it sounds simple sufficient, the sport's distinctive mechanics make issues far more difficult than they appear on the floor.

The controls are easy however take a while to grasp. Your paper airplane ship is centered on the display screen and stays stationary. Nonetheless, the background seems to shift to offer you that sense of motion in your ship. You can’t manually transfer your ship round. While you faucet on the left facet of the display screen, it is going to activate your shields to dam incoming enemy assaults. Tapping the best facet of the display screen permits you to shoot your airplane's weapon, and a long-press does a cost assault.

To set Highwind aside from different video games is the truth that you will have a restricted useful resource in your shields and bullets. There are gauges on the left and proper sides of the display screen to inform you how a lot cost you will have in your defend and weapon. In the event that they're fully depleted, these features gained't work. Luckily, they replenish quite shortly, however nonetheless want time to take action. The hot button is to handle your assets correctly between defending your self and attacking. You can also solely take three hits earlier than you die, and it's recreation over.

One other factor about Highwind that makes it difficult is the truth that generally you’ll be able to't attain the enemy ships. There are particular gadgets that may unfold your bullets out once they hit them, inflicting you to hit enemy ships which can be shifting in at an angle. Some enemies additionally fireplace bullets that may be deflected together with your defend, so it's all about timing.

When you clear a wave, there can be a mini-game of kinds earlier than you progress on to the following spherical. These mini video games are often impediment avoidance programs, and also you'll need to do as finest as you’ll be able to. As you play, you earn cash for defeating enemies, and for those who get hit by an assault or run into an impediment, you lose some cash.

After the mini-game, you're awarded with a chance to improve your airplane. You may select to improve your shields, ammo, or well being. These upgrades price 100 or 200 cash every. For those who don't have that a lot, and took some hits prior, you may as well heal for 60 cash.

When you've taken an excessive amount of injury, then it's recreation over. You get factors awarded in your efficiency, and these accumulate over time to unlock rewards. These rewards embrace new planes, and every airplane has their very own strengths and weaknesses. You may see the stats for every airplane on the Aircraft Choose display screen, the place every stat is shade coded (blue shields, yellow ammo, and inexperienced well being). There are additionally extra recreation modes that adjust the gameplay mechanics; there are a complete of 5 completely different variations.

Highwind is a stupendous arcade shooter that’s not like something you've performed earlier than.

The Good

The Good

Highwind is a singular shooter that really is not like something you've tried earlier than. The sport has a stunning origami-like fashion and the sounds are particular and distinctive. Whereas there's just one recreation mode, the randomly generated enemy waves and unlockable fashion variations preserve every part recent and fascinating. It does take a while to get used to the controls, since your ship doesn't transfer, however that is what makes Highwind stand out within the App Retailer.

The Unhealthy

The Unhealthy

Whereas Highwind has a number of fascinating facets going for it, the "dodging" side of the sport is a bit boring. You principally simply have to get your shields up in time to deflect enemy assaults, and nicely, it's not essentially the most thrilling factor ever. I'm unsure how this a part of the sport will be improved, however it could assist if there have been slight tweaks.

The decision

The decision

Highwind is an fascinating and recent tackle the arcade shooter style. The minimalist artwork fashion and music are soothing, the controls work out nicely, and the gameplay mechanics convey an actual problem to the sport. I like that there are many unlockables that you would be able to receive within the recreation, and there's a number of replay worth with the randomly generated phases. I simply want dodging assaults was a tad extra enjoyable.

I like to recommend Highwind to anybody who’s a fan of arcade shooters and needs to play one thing completely different. You’ll find Highwind on the App Retailer as a common obtain for the iPhone and iPad for $0.99.