Pew: What happens when you mix SI:IG with Eliss

[zztfox]

Pew $1.99

Appstore link:
http://itunes.apple.com/app/pew/id365042707?mt=8

Appshopper link:
http://appshopper.com/games/pew

Pew is a vertical shooter much like Space Invaders: Infinity Gene, except you are locked to the bottom of the screen, with relative left/right touch controls and auto-fire.

While it plays like SI:IG, it looks and sounds more like ELISS, with outstanding pixel art and excellent retro music.

The game is based around you blasting your way through 8 levels (with only 1 unlocked to start), starting with only the most basic of ship and weapons.

And blast away you will! There are a numerous variety of enemies from the basic cannon fodder to ships that can absorb multiple and warp around the screen to bullet-hell style bosses.

As you advance from level to level (with plenty of retrys in between, as you start out under equipped for the task at hand), you gain more money and EXP.

Money is found in 2 ways: floating in the levels where you must tap it to recieve it, and by earning combos (more on that later). EXP is used to unlock the next level in addition to having to beat the previous level to earn the right to unlock it.

Now is where the game is given depth, in addition to the excellent gameplay, there is an indepth upgrade system where you can spend money earned on better weapons (left and right), armor, and CPU. Each category is then given a couple of areas to upgrade. Not only can you buy new weapons, but can upgrade the current weapons firing rate, power, and speed. Like wise for the Armor and CPU, with armor giving more health, defense, etc... and CPU boosting combo length and rewards.

Now add to this the games combo system. When you hit an enemy, a gauge counts down and in this time if you hit another enemy, the multiplier goes up and you can keep comboing, until you take to long to hit the next enemy. The higher the multiplier the better the EXP and money reward you get when the combo finally ends.

Therein lies the addicting factor, an almost zen like vicious circle of blasting hordes to earn money and EXP, upgrading your stats to earn more, and unlocking more levels.

The only thing is that the start is a little slow, as at first you cannot combo
with the slow weapon it gives you, and the meager 4 second combo length you start with, in addition to the fact the 1st (and only available to start) level only has coins worth 1$ and it takes a while to get the first upgrades.

After that it is when the game really grabs you, so do not put it don after the first level thinking "this is too slow" as it gets WAY better. Think of the 1st level as a mandatory tutorial.

The game also has Open Feint, with leader boards for each level, total score, total kills, and (amusingly) total credits earned, so high score pursuers will have plenty to work with. Achievements are also included.

All in all, a worthy and refreshing vertical shooter that anyone can add to their collection for a meager $1.99. Have fun!

*DISCLAIMER*
If the white background gets on your nerves, you can invert the color scheme in the options menu (tap the cog on the level select screen, upper left corner)