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Star Drift is a slick endless shmup from an ex-Metroid and Donkey Kong developer

With music from David Wise

Star Drift is a slick endless shmup from an ex-Metroid and Donkey Kong developer
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iOS
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Star Drift is a space shooter for the mobile age. For one, it's endless and its waves of alien baddies are procedurally generated. And two, it controls a bit like Flappy Bird.

Which is to say you simply touch and hold anywhere on screen to make your ship move up, and then release your finger to drop down. Shooting is automatic so you only have to line up your jet.

Along the way you'll pick up power-ups to improve your fire rate or shot spread, and between waves you can spend credits (or real cash) on extra upgrades or a little health recoup.

There are also sections where you have to avoid enemies that come up from behind you, and there are nasty viruses - though, they can be beneficial if you figure out how to tame them.

Star Drift

The game comes from a chap named Rhys Lewis, who's worked at Retro Studios, Rare, and 3D Realms on games like Metroid Prime 3, Banjo-Kazooie, and Duke Nukem Forever. Star Drift is Lewis's first game as indie outfit Squarehead Studios.

He has also had the good sense to hook up with Donkey Kong Country composer David Wise to provide an atmospheric soundtrack for the game. Wise previoislt contributed the score for Tengami, which was the best thing about that game.

Star Drift has the potential to be a really accessible and addictive space shooter. Check this one out when it hits the iOS App Store in February. It will be a £2.29 / $2.99 purchase with no IAPs.

Mark Brown
Mark Brown
Mark Brown is editor at large of Pocket Gamer