iPhone App: iShoot Lite

January 21st, 2009

= 4 stars

iShoot Lite is a tank battle game where you launch a variety of weapons at enemy tanks. You control the trajectory by aiming your turret and the amount of thrust depending on how long you hold down the “fire” button. Last tank standing wins.

The Good

• Explosions create craters in the ground, into which earth and even tanks can fall in. Although totally unrealistic, it adds to the game immensely.
• Surprisingly addicting given the simplistic set up, mostly due to a base fascination with blowing things up, but also because of the shifting nature of the battlefield.
• At the end of each level, you get to spend earnings on weapons, of which they have increasing power in conjunction with price. Mortars are cheapest. Most unique is a roller missile which rolls down hills. Stinger missiles and cluster bombs provide a wide cover, and the most powerful and cool is the tactical nuke which blasts a huge crater and delivers a lot of damage.

The Bad

• Very silly: you can’t move your tank.
• Sub-par graphics.
• Turn-based.

Conclusion

Overall, iShoot Lite is surprisingly addicting despite not being able to move one’s tank and below-average graphics. It successfully creates the feeling of blowing up the enemy before they blow you up, and with enough tension along the way that the outcome isn’t clear until the last round fired. Ultimately, that’s all a decent war game needs and iShoot Lite achieves it. Plus, the “lite” version is free. Recommended.

iTunes App Store Link: