Overall, while Luftrausers is a decent title, I will reiterate that your enjoyment with the game ultimately comes down to its lasting power. It is the perfect game to pick up on the go or to kill some time, but bite-sized games such as this can only keep your attention for so long. Some completists will unlock all 125 plane combinations, beat all 100 levels, and earn the 12 Trophies available; but it is hard to say that Luftrausers has lasting appeal.
LUFTRAUSERS
Vlambeer · Mar 18, 2014
About
The skies will be set aflame and the seas will overflow with wreckage in Vlambeer’s stylish arcade shooter LUFTRAUSERS! Select from over 125 combinations of weapons, bodies, and propulsion systems and take to the skies to battle enemy fighter planes, battleships, submarines, and rival aces for glory, honor, and high scores. Bravely volunteer for one of over 100 daring missions to unlock new Rauser combinations and vibrant color variations and become the most legendary Rauser pilot of all time!
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Critic reviews
- 7.5Ultimately, Luftrausers is a game that balances a lot on its plate. It is easy to pick up but demands a lot of patience. It is challenging but lays all its cards out on the table within a very short time. It is fast and exciting, but requires the player to adapt. But it also doesn’t pretend to be anything it’s not, and all in all I found it to be a fun experience.
- 8.0Deceptive depth aside, Luftrausers remains basic in ambition. The one-stage setting soon becomes visually repetitive, and the space proves limiting, players given a thin wedge between clouds and sea in which to manoeuvre. This is especially damaging given the sheer speed at which you travel.
- 7.0Instead, Luftrausers, which started life as a Flash game, includes numerous goals that encourage exploring an impressive variety of available ship customisations. Vlambeer has crafted a game that looks superb, sounds better still and is terrifically entertaining. But in a genre resplendent with elegantly refined scoring systems and mechanics, Luftrausers lands a little short of brilliance.
- Luftrausers is another excellent title to have come from the Indie community, showing what be done by such a small team. In terms of depth, ultimately it is up to the player to decide how much they get out of the game. Aside from unlocking the SMFT mode there is no strict “end game”. Although there are parts to unlock and all of the challenges to complete (which the trophies hint at unlocking another element), it is the pursuit of ever higher scores that will likely keep many returning to this title.
- 8.0Luftrausers' opacity can be a source of annoyance, but after 20 hours, I can't say it's discouraged me from leaping right back into the skies after my latest in-game death. I'd like to have been shown more of what makes it tick, but Luftrausers has a fun-enough gymnastics routine to keep it in the back of my mind as I go for an even higher score.
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