Publisher: Black Inc.
Developer: Coreplay
Genre: Shooter
Release date: Available now

From past experience, we know that if a game has a gimmick it usually means that it’s the central focus of the gameplay, right? Unfortunately, that also means that just about everything else having to do with making a quality game is put aside in favor of ensuring that the gimmick stands out and sells copies. Grappling hooks, insane physics or how many enemies you can fit on screen all come to mind when I think of examples, but I also think that most of the time the reason for failure is because the game itself is too big for the gimmick’s britches. Thinking smaller, while relying on a hook is exactly what developer Coreplay had in mind with their particle-happy space shooter, Ion Assault.

Particles are everywhere, so why not use them? Ion Assault does exactly what the name implies by allowing you to gather ion particles and use them as ammunition in the game. Clouds of the stuff surround your ship in each level and it’s your job to collect as much as you can to charge your ion cannons. Stay amongst the particles and you’ll have ample ammo to shoot all the enemies and space debris that populate the rest of the square playing field. Think Geometry Wars crossed with Asteroids and you’ll get the picture. Four different sectors, five levels per and each with its own massive boss at the end await skillful players, but things can escalate quickly the better you get; thanks to a dynamic level intensity that adjusts based your proven skill. Slower players will get fewer enemies, and subsequently fewer points, as the brave are awarded with more fodder and point multipliers to tout on the leader boards.

Multiplayer and co-op are included, so you can share the craziness with a friend, or friends depending on which mode you select. Co-op is the single player game times two, only lacking Xbox Live support, which is lamentable. Other than that omission, it’s as simple as you and a buddy going through the regular game side by side. Local and online multiplayer are another story, however, giving a tip of the hat to old school favorites like Warlords and other heyday Arcade/Atari battle games. Up to four players are given a ship and a base that constantly rotates around the playing field. The object is not only to disrupt the other players, but also to guide hundreds of automated drone ships on a collision course to the opposing base(s). It’s delightfully frantic, as well as my favorite part of Ion Assault, which is unfortunate.

From the outset, the graphics impress. There are some pretty snazzy particle effects these days, but the undulating waves my ship swam through left me a gaping fool. I soon realized that all this beauty was also a beast, because the more enemies and debris that showed up, the more confused I became. There’s just so much going on at any given time, that when something does explode (most of the time into smaller chunks) it just becomes too much to keep track of the ship. Lives lost? I think so! It’s still fun to look at, though.

Controlling and attacking with my ship proved a little clunky at times, especially when being pursued by a grouping of ships, and you can’t turn around in time to defend yourself. This is only made more difficult by the fact that you have to charge each shot. I give the developers credit for changing the mechanics up a bit, but I longed for a rapid-fire alternative. Powerups are sparse and predictable, although a gravity boost (which allows you to collect a larger radius of particles) was always a welcome sight. The music is on par with what you’d expect from a spaced out shooter, so get ready to techno out with no option to adjust the volume whatsoever.

If you’re an Asteroids or Geometry Wars fan, then you could do worse than Ion Assault. For the 800MS points ($10) it costs, you can have two great gaming inspirations in one pretty package. None of the flaws I mentioned are purchase killers by any means, and the multiplayer modes can extend the time it’ll occupy space on your hard drive, especially when it comes to hosting parties. There’s just some confusion and annoyance that negate the advances Coreplay was trying to employ.

Our Score:

Our Recommendation: