Blue Skies…Shooting at Me…

  • Developer: Rocking Pocket Games
  • Version: 2.0
  • Cost:Free for Lite version / $5.99 for Full Version
  • For: iPhone, iPhone 3G, iPod Touch
  • Download URL
I must admit, I love top-down shooters.  Maybe it’s because of the countless hours (and quarters) in the arcade when i was young playing 1945, Raiden, and other top down shooters; but I do enjoy them, and have been on the constant lookout for a good top-down shooter for the iPhone.
Luckily, Rocking Pocket Games came out with Blue Skies - a helicopter top down shooter for the iPhone that’s really designed well.  Start off with the graphics - the multi-layers maps are beautifully rendered with dynamic weather conditions.  Add on some big explosions and an original soundtrack and you’ve yourself a game.
Blue Skies Loading Page Blue Skies
Blue Skies Blue Skies
Of course, all of that is nothing without great gameplay and controls, and Blue Skies delivers.  Movement of the chopper is controlled using the accelorometer (i.e. tilt controls) - you can move forward, back, left and right.   Missiles can be fired by either pressing the bottom left or bottom right of the screen - the developers didn’t implement virtual buttons, but the locations are intuitive enough to not need them.

To add to the gameplay, you have options of purchasing weapon upgrades, and you have a basic storyline in between levels to complete the package. Okay, the storyline is cheezy really doesn’t add much to game and the graphics are uncharacteristically amateur.  Nevertheless, even the demo is full featured and enjoyable to play.

Review Summary
With large multi-layer maps and great game controls, Blue Skies is one of the best arcade-style action games out for the iPhone.  Give the free demo a try - if you like it, get the full version.

Update: Right now the full version is on sale for only $1.99.  It’s definitely worth the $2 - I’d get it while the sale is on.

App Score: 4.5 out of 5.
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