Not [i]nearly[/i] as bad as you may expect from a game with [b]Mostly Negative[/b] reviews in [b]Steam[/b]. Seriously, for a [b]$4.99[/b] game that is often on sale for, like, [b]$1[/b]? It's not even that bad of a deal. First of all, the game looks surprisingly good. Not in high tech way, of course, but everything here shines and explodes, so, it looks pretty impressive. In a way, it reminds me of [b]3dfx[/b] days and games like [b]INCOMING[/b]. If you know what I mean. There are just so many basic effects that... well, it's spectacular. Music is also surprisingly rich and satisfying. So, you get this game for a buck? It can actually entertain you for an hour or two. It's totally playable and, like I said, presentation is quite fine. So, what's wrong with this game? Why everybody's hating it so much?
Well, it's not like people are hating the game. There's nothing here to make you hate it. It's just... it's so dull that... it's impossible to give it a thumb up. See, [b]Solar Shifter EX[/b]? Even though you won't find it on mobiles, it does feel like a dumb mobile shovelware. No different ships (well, technically you'll switch to the other ships for certain levels, but you won't be able to properly purchase them and use in a proper way), no different weapons to pick up, not enough variety (most of the time you'll just shoot the same exact enemies flying in the same exact patterns), no special powers (you can either shoot or not shoot here, there's nothing else), no difficulty selection, no unlockables, nothing. No two players mode either. The game feels like it was supposed to be played on touchscreen, not something you're supposed to play with gamepad. The only interesting thing about this game is a pretty cute little dodging system, but honestly, it's hardly worth mentioning.
Another bad thing about this game is that your skill doesn't really matter here. I mean, it's not like you need much skill to win (the game is laughably easy, so, if you've played games like [b]IKARUGA[/b] before, you'll literally fall asleep in [b]Solar Shifter EX[/b]), but the thing is – the game would try to simulate [b]3D[/b] environment. Up to the point where it'll feel a bit like an on-rail shooter. Remember [b]NOVASTORM[/b]? AKA [b]Scavenger 4[/b] from [b]FM Towns[/b]? Reminds me a little bit of what we had there. And, of course, such stuff never feels good. Pretty spectacular, sure, but with all that moving environment you just don't feel in control. At least, not all the time. Which is, like, the worst thing you can ever do in the genre. Again, it doesn't ruin this exact game completely, since, like I said, it's very easy, but still, it doesn't feel good. Especially since I have a couple of questions about hitboxes here too.
So... [i]ye-a-a-a-ah...[/i] Even though [b]Solar Shifter EX[/b] is far from being the worst thing you can get in [b]Steam[/b] for a single buck (at least it isn't a scam, right?), it also isn't something I can recommend. [b]Solar Shifter EX[/b] is one of those games that you can ignore without risking to lose anything. Literally. Anything. As a mobile game it'll totally have more value. I mean this kind of stuff? It's exactly what I like having on go. Really can't understand people who enjoy playing all those games with deep gameplay and complicated stories while they're out. With so much distractions, why ruining the experience for yourself? Games like this, that's what I like having on me while I'm drinking my morning coffee. But since there's no mobile option here, thumb down is the only way to rate [b]Solar Shifter EX[/b]. It's just way, [i]way[/i] too dumb and limited for [b]PC[/b] game. And with so many games to choose from? Like I said, it's one of those games that feel like a complete waste of time. Dixi.
