Hello everyone, our permanent and not very permanent readers! Welcome to our blog, devoted to gaming. Today I want bring to your attention a new topic, which can be useful for both novice and seasoned Apple gamers – comparing of arcade games. In this review, I will compare my favorite games in “flying & shooting” genre for Apple devices.
In this test are presented 6 applications, but this is not an exhaustive list. All this applications you can find on the App Store. I pondered for a long time over how to estimate the work of gaming applications most adequately and do not discriminate, and came to the such parameters as : gameplay, complexity, control, graphics, sound, price / quality, and total score.

And if you’re looking for a “professional time killer”, then choose from a variety of simple but beautiful and exciting “flying & shooting” arcade games, available for mobile devices.
To compare, I chose: MiniSquadron, Angry Fly Adventure, Alien Space, Who’s that flying?!, Last Line of Defense & Aera.
And now, little information about the perpetrators of this review. Well, let’s get started:

1. MiniSquadron

Category: Games
Seller: supermono limited
Cost: $2.99
Size: 32.1 MB
App Store link: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/minisquadron/id339514220?mt=8
Requirements: Compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Requires iOS 3.1.2 or later.

This arcade-timekiller, which copes with its task: entertaining, addictive and exciting, makes you want to come back to it again if you did not pass it through at once. However, the game doesn’t seem very short, and then it is unlikely you’ll be able to “run” it all, or rather “fly” in a single pass.
In MiniSquadron you will manage a tiny toy airplane, performing dizzying shapes and tricks, trying to aim and knock out your enemies and dodge from their projectiles launched at you. All this action takes place under the frivolous and light music with beautiful hand-drawn graphics, and well developed animation. To vary the gameplay, developers have added lots of bonuses: first aid kits, super-laser, different accelerations, increased rate of fire, temporary invulnerability or bombing. So, you won’t be bored!
Rating:
Gameplay        ★★★★
Complexity       ★★★★★
Control             ★★★★★
Graphics          ★★★★★
Sound              ★★★★
Price/Quality    ★★★★★
Total score       ★★★★★

2. Angry Fly Adventure

Category: Games
Seller: Sergey Rudenko
Cost: Free
Size: 53.8 MB
App Store link: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/angry-fly-adventure/id512026037?ls=1&mt=8
Requirements: Compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Requires iOS 4.0 or later.

An arcade-style sequel of Angry Fly game – is an excellent representative of the timekillers.
In Angry Fly Adventure you’ll be managing a cute fly, making aerobatic maneuvers, & at the same time trying to kill as many enemies as possible to get more points. Different types of weapon will be at your disposal (gun, duplex gun, dichlorvos, blast shot, rockets, bombs), which you’ll unlock passing the levels.
Overall, a great game for all fans of this genre, with adorable graphics and sound, perfectly matching the whimsical style and highly colored and dynamic gameplay. Of course, there are many bonuses for a good passing: extra batteries, different types of helmets & vests, extra speed, boost and so on… Pretty good one to kill time and have fun!
Rating:
Gameplay         ★★★★
Complexity       ★★★★★
Control             ★★★★★
Graphics          ★★★★★
Sound              ★★★★★
Price/Quality    ★★★★
Total score       ★★★★★

3. Alien Space

Category: Games
Seller: Owens Rodriguez
Cost: $0.99
Size: 17.2 MB
App Store link: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/alien-space/id395944376?mt=8
Requirements: Compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Requires iOS 3.0 or later.

Like all the truly great arcade shooters in video gaming history, this is a title that dispenses with such trivialities as storyline and characters, choosing instead to drop you straight into some xenomorph-toasting mayhem, where, you are tasked with avoiding asteroids and vaporizing any alien life force that means you harm. You handle this by means of both a light and heavy weapon, which can be selected from your arsenal and upgraded as you earn points for greater power and effectiveness. You can also upgrade your hull strength, shields, and energy generator. Alien Space is big on action, all of which is dished out in a lengthy single-player campaign, which involves progressing through increasingly difficult levels and upgrading your ship between each mission.
It’s a great addictive arcade shooter!
Rating:
Gameplay        ★★★★
Complexity       ★★★★
Control             ★★★★
Graphics          ★★★★
Sound              ★★★★
Price/Quality    ★★★★
Total score       ★★★★

4. Who’s that flying?!

Category: Games
Seller: Capcom Interactive, Inc.
Cost: $0.99
Size: 112 MB
App Store link: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/whos-that-flying-!/id428694005?mt=8
Requirements: Compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Requires iOS 3.0 or later.

Who’s That Flying?! is one of those games that’s almost perfect for the iPhone. The levels are short and action-packed, the controls are tight, and the game is a cinch to pick up and play. Your goal in WTF isn’t to survive, but to kill the enemies before they leave the screen. Each missed enemy hurts the city. Once the city dies, you’ve failed. You control a superhero who shoots a nonstop stream of bullets and has complete freedom to fly around the screen. The whole package here is slick and funny. The levels are broken up by comic sequences and the gameplay itself is chock full of cheeky humour. It’s hard not to laugh at our hero’s hubris and his equally funny smackdowns.
It’s a beautiful chaos that will feel great to hardcore gamers, but casual folks may put it down after a few minutes. Who’s That Flying?! is an excellent choice for gamers who like to sweat.
Rating:
Gameplay        ★★★★★
Complexity       ★★★★★
Control             ★★★★★
Graphics          ★★★★★
Sound              ★★★★
Price/Quality    ★★★★
Total score       ★★★★★

5. Last Line of Defense

Category: Games
Seller: Piezo ltd.
Cost: $0.99
Size: 70.1 MB
App Store link: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/last-line-of-defense/id402411402?mt=8
Requirements: Compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Requires iOS 3.2 or later.

It is a dynamic and thrilling story about the little drone which is the only survivor after the cruel interplanetary war. Its tiny electronic brain doesn’t understand that the further rebellion is senseless so the drone keeps defending own base from crafty enemies till the very end.
I’ll be better if:  as the game progresses, the circular “hero” should level up and become “Stage 2″ and “Stage 3.” Its appearance should change, its weapons should be able to be upgraded, and maybe it should even get some special abilities that it can use along the way. If Last Line of Defense has to use the circle, the only way people will start caring is if that circle becomes an awesome circle; better than all the other circles out there. Otherwise it’s just a circle. The game really isn’t bad, and in some ways it brings some new elements to the genre, like the landmines that kill the big bombs…
Rating:
Gameplay         ★★★
Complexity       ★★★
Control             ★★★★
Graphics          ★★★★
Sound              ★★★
Price/Quality    ★★★
Total score       ★★★

6. Aera

Category: Games
Seller: Kirill Bulatsev
Cost: $1.99
Size: 7.3 MB
App Store link: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/aera/id330001439?mt=8
Requirements: Compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Requires iOS 2.1 or later.

Aera is a game that puts player into the cockpit of a small airplane as you progress through a number of levels. There isn’t much on offer in the way of story but the game does feature an impressive number of extra modes – such as races, token collection and dog fights with other planes.The game is a temperamental beast when it comes to the control scheme. You will either have to invest a lot of time into learning how to use the tilt controls properly or put up with the frustration of trying to make the plane turn in the direction you want. Once you work them out its fine, but the controls have a long and difficult learning curve.
Aera is a game that will evoke mixed emotions within players. On one hand, the game has a solid amount of content and some fun modes but on the other, the controls can severely limit your enjoyment of the game. But, overall, Aera is a beautiful and addictive game.
Rating:
Gameplay        ★★★★
Complexity       ★★★★★
Control             ★★★
Graphics          ★★★★★
Sound              ★★★★
Price/Quality    ★★★★
Total score       ★★★★

That are not all iOS games of this genre which you can find in the App Store, but these are that I chose and I think they are worth your attention. But, of course, you to choose! My final thought on this is that now we are entering a new era. The mobile gaming era. As it becomes more popular and more and more people play mobile games. So, play games, have fun and get maximum of joy! Thanks to everyone, leave your thoughts and opinions in comments.