Review: StarDrone
Sparkling.
Published: 12:00, 19/03/2011 by Peter [Colossalblue].
None.
StarDrone, the latest downloadable from Beatshapers, was something of a surprise. It seemed to land out of the blue, with little build up and even less fanfare, onto the PlayStation Network Store. It follows some reasonably solid releases from the Ukrainian studio in the form of Enigmo and BreakQuest so there is a certain pedigree for it to live up to.
Like all great puzzle games, StarDrone is deceptively complex and can be utterly compelling. It’s the sort of game that you can load up for a quick ten minute burst of play only to then spend a couple of hours trying to perfect techniques and beat high scores.
The deep space setting presents lovely visual opportunities.
In addition to the elements that ape similar mechanisms from a pinball table, you have hubs placed around the levels which act as slingshots for your drone. You can grab the drone at any time it’s close to one of these hubs and it will immediately start swinging the tethered drone like a ball on a rope until you release the button and watch the drone fly away in whatever direction momentum carries it. This element of the game is the way you must direct the drone away from perils and towards the stars and gems you need to collect , areas you need to reach or enemies you need to kill in order to finish certain levels.
Each level is precisely designed and built so that it is usually reasonably easy to achieve the completion requirements and finish the level. Sometimes this means collecting all the stars, sometimes gathering up gems and returning them to fill a large star and sometimes you have to destroy all enemies or simply cross a finish line.
Completing a level is only part of the battle though. Each level has a target time which is incredibly tricky to meet. So you will find yourself trying to plot routes and perfect your timing in an effort to get closer to that target time. Naturally, your friends list’s high achievers are also listed for each level you encounter. This top ten leader board (as well as global leader boards) shows you what you’re aiming for to claim those bragging rights and, as ever, hold the potential for some heated competition.
Sometimes, to complete a level, you just have to get to the finish line.
The game is also fully Move compatible and this control system completely changes the way it’s played. What is a fairly comfortable set of controls with a DualShock, similar to PixelJunk Eden crossed with a fairly a relaxed pinball game, becomes a nervous struggle for precision and expert timing as you use your Move wand like a laser pointer to direct an on screen cursor. Move support is a nice addition, and it certainly serves as an attractive way to show off the hardware, but ultimately it makes progression slightly too much of an endless struggle for pinpoint precision.
Pros:
- Great visuals.
- Responsive controls, perfect for the interesting mechanics.
- Compelling gameplay.
Cons:
- Move support makes the game a touch too difficult.
- Music sometimes seems to loop awkwardly.
- Currently £6.29/€7.99 but discounted for Plus subscribers.
- Soon to arrive on the US PSN Store (April 5th).
- Like a mash up between Shatter, PixelJunk Eden and Pinball.
Score: 8/10
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19/03/2011 at 12:10
Member since: Jun 2009
Hmm looks interesting, if i get funds in my PSN account soon i’ll have to consider it. By the way, if the music is ‘pumpimg’ would i be right to assume it’s dance music? If so that’d be good :)
19/03/2011 at 12:40
Member since: Forever
yes, it’s dance music. It’s really simple though, not in the same league as the Shatter soundtrack, for example. Good enough but not much to it.
19/03/2011 at 12:28
Member since: Jul 2009
I. Am. Loving the visuals! I’m off to see if there’s a demo as that’ll look stellar in HighDef.
Thanks, Peter.
19/03/2011 at 12:41
Member since: Forever
No demo yet, I don’t think, but it is only £3.15 to PSPlus members!
19/03/2011 at 13:01
Member since: May 2009
Dammit, I doubt I’ll be home whilst the offer is still on :(
19/03/2011 at 13:08
Member since: Jun 2009
When does the offer end then.
19/03/2011 at 13:29
Member since: Jul 2009
Looked good but I’d really like a demo to win me over. I’m not a PS+ subscriber so will sit tight for now.
Demos, Sony, DEMOS! Make them all produce demos!
19/03/2011 at 18:43
Member since: Aug 2009
Demos cost.
The publisher has to pay per GB download to Sony, it not a free service. And only Sony can host the file for download on PSN.
So as publisher you have way up the pro’s and con’s. And think are going to make a profit if everyone downloads it.
19/03/2011 at 21:18
Member since: Jul 2009
Good to know. Will it pay for itself if they have a demo available? I’d like to think so. Especially with positive reviews. Also, it’s not a big game (in resources) so shouldn’t take too much bandwidth.
19/03/2011 at 21:33
Member since: Aug 2009
If that is indeed the case, do all XBLA games pay or do Microsoft pay for them to make put up demos?
Even though it costs, I still think demos for every PSN game is the way forward.
19/03/2011 at 14:59
Member since: Oct 2009
The offer is ending 3rd April.
19/03/2011 at 12:35
Member since: Jun 2009
Just from the small info box I’m sold.
19/03/2011 at 13:12
Member since: Aug 2009
I thought that. Eden and Shatter are two of my favourite PSN games.
19/03/2011 at 13:13
Member since: Aug 2009
I think I have little choice but to take advantage of this with my PS+ subscription ending today.
19/03/2011 at 13:17
Member since: Jul 2009
Very good review. You hit it right on the head, you can play it for a couple of minutes or hours.
19/03/2011 at 14:04
Member since: Jan 1970
StarDrone US date is 5 of April, taking part of Spring Fever promo.
19/03/2011 at 16:42
Member since: Forever
Thanks, I’ve fixed the info box to reflect this.
19/03/2011 at 15:20
Member since: Sep 2010
Thanks for including the price of the game :-) and the move discount details.
19/03/2011 at 16:12
Member since: Nov 2009
Nice review, don’t suppose you can mention this for me:
http://blog.eu.playstation.com/2011/03/18/japan-tsunami-appeal-on-psn/comment-page-3/#comments
19/03/2011 at 18:05
Member since: Feb 2011
Those screens look great. Thanks for the review. I might pick it up while it’s on offer with PS+
19/03/2011 at 18:17
Member since: Jan 1970
Shall we do codes giveaway?)
19/03/2011 at 21:19
Member since: Jul 2009
I’ll answer that. Yes please! *waits with open hands*
19/03/2011 at 21:28
Member since: Aug 2009
Rats! I just bought it! lol
But yes, emphatically, yes. No better way in my experience than to promote via word of mouth. The more hands this little beaut of a game makes its way into, the better.