The action takes entirely to your completely customizable aircraft

The last time it is not just the slick next-gen graphics, realistic faces and stunning lens flares which beat the clock. Indie studios that simple-looking, pure gameplay games from pumps are hot and 'our own' Vlambeer contributes to this with their latest adventure: Luftrausers.

Originally started as a free Flash game, Luftrausers now finds its way to the PC, PlayStation 3 and Vita. The retro-feel dripping from a monochromatic color palette and vintage sound effects, making the game feel like you could play it on the Game Boy in 1990. However betray the fluid movements and smooth control that we make here do have a game today. And what a game it is.

The action takes entirely to your completely customizable aircraft - the Rauser - which you take on another fighter jets, submarines, warships and zeppelins above sea. You deserve to keep getting points by knocking down or sinking of the enemy forces and increasingly builds more points by enemies. The Rauser repairs itself when you're not firing, so is the dilemma constantly "I still shoot on to build the multiplier or I take rest in order to repair and move forward."

In an eternal continuous playing field, where more and more different types of aircraft and ships at your fire, it is difficult to survive. You fly away, if the engine stops running and shooting in the air in order to shoot at your pursuers. Some hit shots can quickly be fatal, however, so it is important to make your feet again as quickly as possible to recuperate.

The result is a shoot 'em up that keeps you on the edge of your seat and you forget everything to let you go. The immersion is fantastic. You can not relax or even a moment away from the screen. From the moment you ascend, the shooting, dodging, turning and re-deploy the attack. The action is constant, rewarding and above all addictive.

It gets even more interesting when you consider that the three elements where Rauser out consists in to apply. Some are obvious, others make it really interesting. A thicker body means more health, but slower response from the Rauser. A propeller and engine ensures that you fly more slowly, but will not be damaged when you fly through the water.
Also weapons are paged from lasers to heat-seeking missiles. Each of the 125 combinations gives the airplane an awesome name like Hellrauser, Devastator, Tuberrauser and Holy Diver; all with their own strengths and weaknesses and unique look and feel. The possibilities seem endless and each unit has its own purpose.


Every time you take off, you get specific goals along to move forward. So you will need to sink several boats in one combo, a number of aircraft should bring down without firing a shot or have to get certain scores. Achieve this goals, then you unlock some new parts to note expand Rauser and you rise in level. The missions feel varied, particularly spicy and frustrate you - despite many inevitable failures - never.
Luftrausers is a game that you can pick up quickly, demands the utmost of you and you keep busy. Some goals may seem daunting. So I've spent untold different combinations to get it done in order to crash one of the huge airships. Yet Luftrausers continues invite you to come back and try again.

Luftrausers is a pure gameplay game play and fantastic way to both PS3 and Vita. The game is cross-buy, so you can immediately get to work on both platforms. Unfortunately it is not possible to transfer save files between the two, so you will on both platforms must unlock missions and components. The larger sticks of the Dual Shock 3 seems to give a slightly better sense of control, but the difference is minimal.

Another pitiful thing is that there is no rumble / force feedback is used in the PS3 version. That last fatal shots and the subsequent explosion could have had more impact with a heavy vibration in your hand. Due to this shortcoming, and the short duration of rounds Luftrausers seems therefore more to do justice to Sony's handheld. All in all it is a game that you can buy pretty blind fan of shoot 'em ups.
THE JUDGEMENT

With all the modifications to aircraft, riveting action and hefty skill that you need to build, Luftrausers is an absolute must. The game is great path, looks through his unique - but simple - design and superb sound effects and music make it a fantastic experience with an old fashioned feel. You pick up the game easily and can pick out so many hours of gameplay that every shoot 'em up fans will be able to find this.