Z-Cross – retro action-packed space shooter game
by Paul Wilks
Sep 12, 2012 10:44 AM –
Install
Z-Cross is a retro space shooter with blistering neon graphics and challenging gameplay. Collect z-particles and battle enemies across loads of exciting levels. The game features plenty of weapons to use, power-ups to collect and end-of level bosses to crush, so what are you waiting for pilot?!
Price: Free, $0.99
Tested on: HTC One X
Content Rating: Everyone
Pros & Cons:
Pros
- Cool retro visuals!
- Frenetic gameplay!
- Some very cool power-ups and weapons!
- End of level bosses!
- Tilt-control!
- Survival and Mission modes!
Cons
- No on-screen controls.
- Some menu elements are almost unreadable.
Features:
Z-Cross is a fantastic little space shooter, a little bit retro, a little bit modern and all cool. You’re a small neon space shuttle on a mission to collect pink z-particles. There are, perhaps somewhat obviously, plenty of baddies in the way so you’ll need to shoot them down to progress. Controls are simple, just tilt your device and the ship moves. Press the screen to shoot or- if you’re like me- press and hold for continuous laser death. In addition to z-particles, collect power-ups and new weapons to really blast that alien scum!
OK, so the graphics are very retro, very 80′s and very neon, but check out the explosions- it’s like a veritable firework display of colourful splashes which look great against the black background. Enemies come at you from the sides and the top of the screen so you’ll need to move around to hit and avoid them. Some are pretty fast too so you’ll need to move around quickly. At the end of each level there is a tougher boss to fight, while these are quite easy to start with, they get progressively more difficult.
There are two modes; missions (where you move through different planets, each with a boss at the end) and survival (where you just keep going until you die, building as large a score as possible. It creates different objectives, even if gameplay is very similar.
I really liked the tilt control- it works very well and is perfectly weighted and responsive. Sometimes tilt control games never make you feel like you’re actually in control, but with Z-Cross it is perfectly done. There is no alternative, however, so I imagine regardless of how good the controls are, some users might be put off by lack of options.
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Z-Cross – Vivid neon graphics
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Z-Cross – Multiple enemies
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Z-Cross – Collect z-particles
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Z-Cross – Cool weapons
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Z-Cross – Failure
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Z-Cross – Victory
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Z-Cross – Boss level
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Z-Cross – Boss level 2
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Z-Cross – Menu
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Z-Cross – Story
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Z-Cross – Settings
Fun Factor:
Z-Cross is deliciously old-school, but with tilt-control and some impressive ‘firework’ graphics, the game is given a modern edge that is simply superb. There are plenty of levels, bosses, weapons and power-ups which constructs a thoroughly enjoyable experience through the whole game.
Addictive:
Yes, Z-Cross is very addictive and engrossing! Levels do not last too long either so it can be viewed as quite a casual game to play and easy to dip in and out of.
Graphics:
The graphics are, as explained, quite retro. There are small places where it doesn’t quite work and the theme isn’t quite followed through- perhaps a small volume of roughness around the edges. However, these blips are made up for thanks to some excellent effects- like when multiple enemies explode at the same time.
Accelerometer, Vibration & Sound:
The accelerometer is superb and works extremely well to control your ship. The sound is good too, a little experimental perhaps, but it’s pretty good. The various sound effects are great too and add significantly to the gameplay.