iPhone App Reviews

Third Planet

Chris Sutton | Nov 30, 2011 Games

User rating: (3 votes, average: 4.67 out of 5)

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Third Planet ($0.99) by Nikita Saraev

Available on iPad only

Since the release of ‘Fruit Ninja’ hundreds of similar titles have been made available on the app store. Some are refreshing and add to the see-and-swipe formula, but most fail. Third planet is more an example of the latter, asking players to swipe away asteroids before they connect with earth. The physics are fine, responding well to the touch, but the lack of depth is a problem.

While the key to the ipad-only game is defending earth from an array of rocks, there are various additions. Touching earth changes your draw colour, as the colour of the asteroid must be matched in order to destroy it. Speed increases with time, ships can be added to help you defend your planet and there are a group of levels to progress through, using the three strike failure system. That’s about it for the gameplay, leaving me amused for about ten minutes while waiting for my girlfriend to do her hair. Graphics are basic, creating the typical view of a see-and-swipe title, but a strange aspect is the background music. It suggests a much more action-packed title, and actually speeds up your gameplay perhaps unintentionally.

I would only recommend this game to those in love with the ‘Fruit Ninja’ genre, needing to pass the time while waiting in line at the bank or for the microwave to beep. Light on depth and creativity, you won’t spend hours upon hours in this new app, but it can pass as a time diminisher equipped with levels and defending additions.

Tags: Games, space