Game Reviews

Galataxi

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Galataxi
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Many of my most memorable nights out have started with the hailing of a cab.

You never know what sort of cabbie you’re going to get – a Columbo-quoting crazy, a wannabe rally driver, or an affable gossip-merchant. It really is a lucky dip as to who you end up with.

In Galataxi you’re the sort of cabbie who values speed over safety. The main difference, though, is that you’re negotiating planets rather than roundabouts and black holes rather than Milton Keynes town centre (pretty similar, I know).

Space race

Galataxi is the latest game from Pocket Racing developer Measured Software. While it couldn’t be more different in the hands, it possesses the same focus on tight 2D fun based on well implemented physics.

The physics here are of the astro variety, rather than the Astra variety. You must fly from planetoid to planetoid, picking up fares and shuttling them to their destinations within strict time limits.

Different fares have different requirements. Businessmen will simply want dropping off (requiring a well-judged landing manoeuvre) while Tourists want to take pictures, requiring you to remain within a set area for a certain amount of time. Finally, scientists will ask you to orbit planets while they check for signs of life.

Inertia creeps

The key to Galataxi’s charm – and, indeed, its challenge – is the aforementioned space physics and accompanying control system. It adopts a semi-realistic approach to space travel that means you’re constantly battling with inertia and the gravitational pull of the planets.

You only burn your rockets when you need to accelerate or change course, and slowing down is a matter of pointing your thrusters the way you’re going. Flying around is a demanding but thoroughly enjoyable skill, and pulling off the perfect approach and landing is immensely satisfying.

Admittedly, Galataxi doesn’t vary an awful lot from what we’ve described here, leaning heavily on its core mechanics. Its focus is very narrow, and if you find the deceptively tricky flight physics frustrating or unsatisfying there’s little here to keep your attention.

If you click with the game’s more considered approach to ferrying human cargo around, however, your time with Galataxi will prove to be quite memorable.

Galataxi

A quirky game built around the physics of space travel, Galitaxi might not click with everyone, but it will delight those with whom it does
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Jon Mundy
Jon Mundy
Jon is a consummate expert in adventure, action, and sports games. Which is just as well, as in real life he's timid, lazy, and unfit. It's amazing how these things even themselves out.