Starfront: Collision™ FREE Review
PROS
- Easy to use control system; scales to your skill level.
- Significantly large campaign; split in to three race-specific storylines (~6+ hours depending on skill and completion level).
- Four player online multiplayer modes; 1v1, 2v2 or free-for-all on 5 different maps.
- Replay system allows you to save matches to view them again later.
CONS
- Limited voice acting; almost exclusively unit response audio.
- Unit 'type' selection oddly absent; also adding units to control groups can be tricky.
- Rush-heavy meta-game for online play; not necessarily a permanent issue.
VERDICT
Starfront: Collision shows that RTS titles have a great potential future on iOS devices; it's not perfect, but it hits all the right marks for competitive online play and a fun campaign.
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- App Store Info
Please Note: Due to Gameloft's new release system, the title is only free as a 'demo' with an in-app purchase unlocking the rest of the content. This does require an internet connection of some kind for your device, however given that this requires 3rd Gen or higher iOS device, this should be available in one form or another. The current release price is US$6.99 - please adjust accordingly for your region and be aware that sales/updates could affect this pricing regularly.
As a genre, the Real-Time Strategy (RTS) has matured and found its niche on desktop PCs mostly due to the complexity of the controls required to efficiently manage multiple elements in the game at any one time. Starfront: Collision by Gameloft may have a passing resemblance to the Starcraft series, but at its core is an RTS bred for iOS devices with a surprising amount of complexity to its competitive gameplay.
Each of the three available races feature the same basic setup for their base management, with workers being produced from a home-base structure and subsequently consumed when used to build additional structures or placed in resource gathering facilities. For those familiar with the Starcraft universe, this is not unlike playing as the Zerg and using up Drones, however once a resource node is captured it will automatically distribute minerals or energy back to your base, freeing up your time to manage your army.
Speaking of which, controlling your army is also a snap thanks to intuitive controls that allow you to select individual units, tapping to force them to attack while moving or holding down to move without attacking. Pinching the screen will also create a selection box to highlight multiple units that can subsequently be stored in one of three 'quick selection' buttons, reducing the time required to jump around the screen and back to your army.
The overall result is a highly specialized system that provides all the major conveniences of modern RTS titles while keeping the screen relatively uncluttered (all the better to enjoy the game's slick 3D graphics). To offset the similarity in base control, each race features a unique set of army units and upgrades that give them their individual feel. Playing online is a blast and players can enjoy multiple game modes with up to four players, however it's not quite clear as to how matchmaking pairs players up with other opponents and RTS fans should be aware that the game is (currently) favoring rush tactics, though the meta-game certainly has room to evolve.
But... you know what's best of all? None of this even begins to take in to account the 20 mission campaign and skirmish modes against AI players. While the story isn't astounding, the missions provide a good amount of variety and 'hard achievements' for those after more of a challenge. What is usually considered the main bulk of the game is simply the icing that allows you to enjoy the game offline as well.
Starfront: Collision may not be a perfect rendition of a modern RTS, but its concessions are understandable and playing against gamers around the world is a blast. A must-try for any RTS fan after some serious competition.
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