CloudPhobia is a standard shooter featuring a horizontal scrolling engine. It was developed in Japan, famous for this style of game. It offers smooth game play, good graphics, as well as a few added twists that set it apart from other horizontal shooters. The “hero” of the game is a Japanese mecha, a flying giant robot. The mecha comes equipped with thrusters, missiles and a laser blaster, and can also pick up numerous bonus items on its way through the level to improve its destructive capabilities.
The laser gun is the main weapon and features unlimited ammunition, whereas others need to be conserved. There is basically only one level to play, and the onslaught of enemy ships is constant from beginning to end. The goal is to survive long enough to meet and defeat the boss at the end of the level, and therefore the game. There is, however, an added element. The user’s mecha is basically a guard dog for the mother ship that hovers just off the left of the screen behind the mecha. There is a display for the robot’s health AND for the mother ship’s health. If too many enemy bogies are able to get passed the mecha, the mother ship becomes damaged and
is eventually destroyed. Even if the mecha is in perfect condition, the game is over if the mother ship is lost. This forces more aggressive play by the user, in order to engage all enemies and destroy them instead of only taking the easy and safe shots. There is a replay option, should the mecha die before its time.
CloudPhobia offers some great game play to go along with its novel “protect the mother ship” idea. The action is smooth and the animations are very good. There are several different styles of enemy robots and ships, and all are well-drawn. The explosions are colorful and engaging, not simply the same little “kaboom” with each enemy brought down. The sound effects are good and the music playing in the background adds nicely to the spirit of the combat situations. The controls are fairly easy to manage, and the game features a practice option to help learn them before engaging the enemy for real. In summary, this is a great shooter…colorful, fun, and smooth. It would be a great download for anyone who loves shooters, whether they are from space or are on the ground.
