Review: Space Impact: Kappa Base

Wow, this is a game I never expected to be remade – but the classic of the old 3310’s etc is back! Of course it’s improved It’s on a newer Generation? But we also say the same for sonic when of course the new ones are a pile s**t!! Read on…

My first impressions were, wow, a Remake of a Black and White 3310 Game? My expectations were low and high respectively – But I was thinking about Snakes that Debuted on the Original N-Gage a few years back thinking that wouldn’t be too good, but heck was I wrong. To put it simply this game is stunning – It’s using a mixture of 3D and 2D and works very nicely, even has a decent story line too it – My only complaint, Its too short.

You begin at the main menu, with the usual Options etc and Story mode along with N-Gage Arena mode, which consists of various online modes though I could be wrong, but to me it isn’t in real time – Just rankings.

You follow a story line about the pilot you control. You go from level to level which all vary in difficulty and the amount of enemies around. The levels of the game are stunning, there colourful and vivid and with a lot to offer, the levels always play the same – the level first, mini boss then the main boss then you move on to the next level – this may seem a bit repetitive, but with each level being different styles etc, It’s a new challenge every time – My best comparison to this, is the classic sonic games for the Mega drive. The only complaint as I said above is the time it takes to complete the game, its not a very long game at all yet still very fun.

The controls are very simple indeed, since the game is in portrait you will be using the number pad to play the game as well as the d-pad. You can set your own keys within the menu system which can make it easier for some users, as it’s at your own preference.

Graphically the game is fantastic, using the pseudo 3D effect (like Sonic Rush for DS) – Its smooth, and with all the action on the screen the devices handle it very well with a constant smooth Frame rate (Of which the First Access version suffered from) – The 2D effects and backgrounds look stunning, its really a beautiful game. The detail this game holds is amazing, you wouldn’t get this from a JAVA game or SIS game.

The sounds of Space Impact were never special, and same with this – there good but no special, it’s a shame there not stereo sound either which would really put you in the game. Maybe the future N-Gage games will hold better sound?

The N-Gage arena part is Rankings, but you don’t do the level in single player to upload your score – You actually do the level with-in the main N-Gage arena menu then it downloads the rankings at the end of your time, It works but its nothing special could of done a lot better, maybe Co-Op play? Would be good fun Or even Head to head.

Overall Space Impact is a fantastic game, The story line is deep and good, the graphics are stunning – This game has a appeal factor that keeps you wanting to come back for more, even if its to get first on the rankings or to do the whole game again – Your choice, either way you will be hooked.