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Situations like this aren't as common as you'd think on the App Store. While there is a somewhat
sinister undercurrent of releases that step over the line of 'inspired by' and in to 'theft',
being able to play the 'real thing' doesn't always happen; at least not as quickly as
this. Solar 2 by Jay Watts (also known as Murudai) is everything I had hoped to see
from the recently released 'Tiny Solar'. No prizes for guessing that Solar 2 was the title
having its content stolen.
Ultimately the game styles itself as a blending of the evolution / 'Flow' style gameplay with
GTA-like mission based objectives. You're thrown out in to the wilds with nothing but
an asteroid that must slam (at considerable speed) in to other asteroids to 'merge' and
gain mass. Gain enough and you'll turn in to a planetoid; more will make you a 'living
planet' that will evolve lifeforms that protect your planetoid. Further still and you'll become
a star that will increase as you swallow up planets... Oh and go far enough and you'll
become an all-consuming Black Hole.
These stages of development are key to surviving and succeeding at the missions you're tasked
with - be it simply avoiding a hail of missiles (or in the case of one amusing mission, avoiding
'fans' as your entire planet is turned in to a celestial light show for a party); or
attempting to right history by killing time traveling dinosaurs and art destroying planet
squatters. It's all a bit tongue-in-cheek, but that's what makes it so much fun.
For those concerned the game will wear out its welcome, there's plenty to do beyond the
basic missions too. Aside from being able to mess around with the physics of the universe
you're in - such as flipping gravity to 'repel' instead of attract - there are challenges
that will truly test your skill and as such do not affect your progression in your main
game. Those worried about losing progress or feeling like they're trapped in to grinding
their way through various stages of evolution need not worry - the game provides a handy
'basic respawn' system that spits you out at the mass you require, and if you've achieved
a system you're proud of you can save and 'respawn' as that too.
What makes Solar 2 so masterful is that nothing about the game feels like a waste of time
or effort. Gravity pulls you in subtle, but predictable ways; evolving happens almost
as a result of having fun playing around in the universe; and when you indulge yourself
in the missions, completing them gives a strong sense of satisfaction.
Tie everything together with a soundtrack that swings from universal grandeur to sci-fi
techno and you've got a smoothly executed, and cleverly designed gaming experience to
expect when picking up Solar 2 for your iPad.