Despite having the Nintendo Switch around, and having review codes sent to me on a regular basis (for both iOS and Switch games), I was looking for some indie titles, specifically anything to do with strategy/tactics, to check out on the iPhone. In order to not waste time lurking through the iOS App Store, I thought it was a good time as well to check out what Apple Arcade had to offer, after all it’s like a super-curated/exclusive experience over the already prim and proper App Store.
Also, I’ve already cancelled my Apple Music (Spotify won over) and Zwift (outdoors exercise is finally allowed as part of loosening of the movement control order), so there’s definitely budget for a video games subscription service. As a service, Apple Arcade is still a better option to checking out more ephemeral game titles, in other words games that wouldn’t stick long in your device and wouldn’t make sense paying the full price to own.
Case in point, Tortuga Team’s brilliant title Spaceland. Like some other games on Apple Arcade, Spaceland is already available for the PC on Steam (for about USD 10), and on the Nintendo Switch (USD 20). Knowing full well that it’s not a Diablo III, it wouldn’t make much sense to buy the title for either PC or Switch, and instead check it out for the week on Apple Arcade which paying a measly USD 4.99 a month.
OK back to the game. Spaceland a sci-fi, turn-based, squad-level tactical game, with X-COM and Incubation (anyone remember this, it was pretty cool) being obvious influences.
Players take control of a bunch of Space Rangers and some military type folks as they tackle levels filled with aliens (and spawn points), some of which come with interesting weaknesses and environmental conditions waiting to be exploited. There are switches to be thrown and doors to be unlocked. At the start of each level, players can only select a total of three characters to play with. These combine to lend about a puzzle-like feel to the levels; thus making them very fun to solve.
Players get to craft upgrades such as weapons and armour for their characters, as well as upgrade their skills. Aside from the single player gameplay (which I’m currently indulging in), there’s also multiplayer (which I’m too busy to try).
Despite the obvious X-COM DNA, Tortuga Team brought about light-hearted humour and some irrelevancy to the story/dialogue. The levels themselves are like what Diablo III detractors said about that game: colourful. All these are plus points and the intuitiveness of the touch screen controls is the icing on the cake.
Spaceland gets a 4.5 out of 5; if you are in the market for a tactical game, do check it out, it will not disappoint: https://apps.apple.com/app/spaceland/id1450972094?ign-itsct=spaceland&ign-itscg=30800
