Star Splitter 3D: A Gritty 3D Space Shooter

by Nov 19, 20120 comments

Genre : Games
Platform : iPad | iPhone
Developer : StepGames Inc
Rating : 4
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iDevice apps and games are becoming more and more sophisticated with every passing day, and Star Splitter 3D is the latest to be added to a growing list of exciting, high-resolution games available for iDevices. Star Splitter 3D has been developed by StepGames Inc, and is a space shooter game with stunning graphics and exciting gameplay.

Users assume the role of an inter-galactic explorer pilot, whose job is to protect humanity from outer space invasions and threats. You are commissioned with special seek and destroy missions by intergalactic corporations and secret agencies, who are trying to battle alien forces and saving humanity. Upon receiving your mission orders, and should you choose to accept them, you set off into outer space, and battle incoming enemy spaceships, while dodging asteroids which keep hurtling towards you all the time.

Game mechanics are well designed, and you have the option of controlling your spaceship either using the accelerometer on your device, or using a virtual joystick. The accelerometer is preferable, as the virtual joystick takes up some amount of screen space. Enemy ships shoot back too, so you have to be careful to not get hit too hard by their lasers, or get hit by an asteroid, both of which will deplete your health. Successful completion of a mission earns you money, which can be used within the game to purchase new weapons or to upgrade your space ship. Both of these are essential to your survival and success as you progress in the game. There are also some super weapons available, which can annihilate enemy ships within a single shot.

Initial levels have you take off on some pretty basic missions where you will encounter just a couple of enemy crafts which are easy to defeat. As the game progresses though, the aliens you face grow stronger and their ships are more sophisticated and difficult to shoot down. It is important that you maintain your health and use your winnings smartly to upgrade your ship as well as weapons, if you want to be able to complete all mission successfully.

Gameplay is pretty straightforward, and all you need to do is shoot down the enemy crafts, and avoid the space debris from hitting your space ship. Controlling your ship and shooting down enemy crafts while using the accelerometer based control can be quite challenging though, since the target lock crosshairs are not necessarily in line with where your spaceship seems to be pointing. It is more of a third-person shooter like feel, and if you are not familiar with that genre of shooters, it might take a while for you to get comfortable with the controls. Plus you also need to be smart with how you control the speed of your spacecraft while engaging  in combat with enemy ships

Graphics are very well designed, and there are more than enough opportunities where you are just drifting and exploring outer space, and get to admire the beauty of the surroundings. Colors and textures appear very crisp and real, and it is pretty evident that the developers have spent a lot of time and effort into ensuring that the overall design elements come up top notch. As the name suggests, Star Splitter is designed with a 3D environment effect in mind, and it does not disappoint on that count, with its really stunning space visuals.

Overall, Star Splitter 3D is a visually appealing and challenging space shooter, with great graphics, and exciting gameplay. Star Splitter 3D is compatible with iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPod touch (3rd generation), iPod touch (4th generation), iPod touch (5th generation) and iPad and requires iOS 5.0 or later.

What’s Good?

  • Great graphics
  • Tight Gameplay

What could be better?

  • Too many empty spots with nothing to do
  • Controls could be slightly difficult in the beginning

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