Giveaway of the Day - Astro Avenger 2

Installation:

The game downloads to a 42.6MbMb zip file that unpacks to a read me that includes a registration code plus a wrapped setup file. The game installs to the following path by default, but you can change the path during the installation wizard:

C:\Program Files(x86)\Astro Avenger 2 (64bitO.S.)

C:\Program Files\Astro Avenger 2 (32 bit O.S.)

The game unpacks to 74.5Mb. Two shortcuts are installed to your desktop, the game shortcut plus one that directs you to Awems site. There’s also a shortcut installed to the Start Menu?Program list where you’ll also find an uninstaller. The game works in XP, Vista and Win 7. When you install the game allow the game to open up at the end of the installation wizard. Click on the Green Registration button, then input the provided registration code (found in the read me) See the two images below.

Click on the green registration button

Copy the registration key from the read me then pste it into the registration field. Then click on the green register button

Introduction:

In the decade since the Global Political Crisis, mankind has entered its second golden age planning to expand the man’s presence further in the Galaxy. But all the plans for the prosperous future crashed with the abrupt appearance of the hostile alien fleet destroying everything on its way. Humans found themselves on the verge of extinction.

Astro Avenger 2 is a stunning comeback of the classic space scroller that lifts up the level of action, dynamics and drive in modern arcades. The detailed setting along with spectacular graphics abundant with modern visual effects and atmospheric futuristic soundtrack in the Hollywood style will not leave you indifferent and challenge your reaction and stamina by rash action operations in five immense worlds.

The gameplay represents a series of action operations the goal of which is to find all the pieces of the secret weapon which will reverse the flow of the war. Destroying alien ships the player collects plazma (the substance that the assembled secret weapon operates on) which can be further exchanged for new types of weapons or details for the ship comprehensive modernization in the nearest space-shop.

Reference accessed HERE Jun 17th 2011

Main Menu

Upgrade Shop

Options Menu:

From the options menu you can change the volume of the music and/or sound effects or toggle them off altogether. There’s a full Screen/Windowed toggle and a toggle for enabling rendered shadows. If you have a low paower computer and find the game runs sluggishly uncheck this option (checked by default). The screen resolution and refresh rate are shown, but there appears to be no way of changing this from the options menu. (It was quoted as 800 x 600 with a refresh rate of 75Hz). At the bottom of the options window there’s a button that enables you to remap your keyboard bindings or change the settings for your Joystick (if you still use one) and the mouse. To remap your keys just click on the appropriate key to open up the mapping field, then type in the key you want to use. It’s a simple process, however, make sure when you are done that you save the changes otherwise they will revert to the defauly keys when you close the window, you can also revert to the default keys via the default button.

Unfortunately if you don’t like the music the only way you can change it is to edit the game executable (You’ll probably need a specialist editor to do this) or turn the music off from the options menu and run something you like from your favoured media program.

From the main menu you can also access the help page which shows you how to play the game using the mouse, and shows what the various indicators and other information means that’s shown in game. There’s also a button that enables you to watch the in game movie if you wish.

Remapping the Key bindings

The Game (Edited Review from game tunnel)

The opening trailer for Astro Avenger II is a gorgeously rendered movie involving a firefight within an asteroid field. Right away this sets the tone and mood for the game as being a highly paced action shooter, and thankfully the game allows you to instantly jump into the action. You aren’t presented with the need to create a profile, or visit a hangerbay loaded with weapons and ordinance to outfit your fightercraft for the first sortie.

In game image

As with most shooters, the action happens in waves separated by the outer space equivalent of the Ye Ol’ Shopkeeper made available for purchasing various upgrades for your ship. There are 5 worlds in the game broken down into 10 levels each (for the grand total of 50 levels for those who panic when they see numbers). During every 10th level, you encounter the Boss battle for the particular World you are in. As you move through each level killing baddies, some ships will deal out the temporary power-ups to help you along. Some grant you total shot immunity, while others help to improve the amount of resources available to you when the level is finished. Besides surviving the onslaught of alien gunfire, your primary task is focusing on how much energy your weapons are consuming. As you upgrade your weaponry, there is an associative cost of how much energy is now consumed with each round of fire. This also varies between the different weapons available for purchase (as you might expect). The weaponry ranges between high and low energy consumption, high and low damage per shot, along with a wide or narrow “area of effect”. As you might expect, your total survival in the later levels relies on your ability to actively juggle between weapons during combat depending on the situation using the number keys. Your spent energy also recharges itself, but never as fast as you want it.

In game image

Despite the amount of fun I had playing this game, there were a few details that I feel could stand some tweaking. During the upgrade phase between each round, you have the option of spending your available pool of resources on droids. I was a bit letdown by all of the droids I purchased, and I question the value of any of them. When I did purchase them initially, I was under the impression that they were permanent bots that would help your ship along. Sadly, they can be hit by enemy laser fire, and thus don’t last long at all once the action of the level starts picking up.

While I realize that the game intentionally focuses on forcing the player to juggle between weapons for better energy resource management, I would have also liked the option of being able to purchase upgrades to some equipment itself to increase that rate of regeneration. You are able to purchase new ships when you can afford it, however I found that there wasn’t really that much of a difference. Granted I was focused on not dying at the time, but my movement rate felt the same, along with how quickly / slowly the energy was regenerating.

On a final “teaser” note, as you progress through the levels various pieces of a Superweapon drop from some of the ships. I’ll leave it to the reader to enjoy the experience of gathering all the components of the doomsday device and seeing its use in the game.

In game image

Graphics:

The artwork is gorgeous and lovely to look at even while your ship is being pummeled by hails of laser bolt fire from every angle. The user interface was presented in a surprisingly sharp way (for a shooter) and was nice and light on navigation. Reminded me somewhat of the polished UI system of Starcraft for some reason.

Sound:

The audio tracks in this game are outstanding, and in some places, the ebb and flow of the arrangements match the action in the battlefield which provides a high level of quality enjoyment. A minor comment but there didn’t seem to be any “boss buildup” tune as you approach / encounter each boss.

Gameplay:

There’s nothing terribly ground-breaking about the gameplay, but not every game out there needs to redefine a genre in my opinion to be successful. This is a high-action, fast paced shooter that provides your “shooter fix”.

Reference accessed HERE Jun 17th 2011

Video:

You can see video’s of Astro Avenger II HERE and HERE.

In game image

Conclusion:

Astro Avengers 2 has loads of action, high explosives, boss battles, weapon upgrades, and a decent audio track. As the original reviewer said in his conclusion – turn off the lights and turn up the volume on this game. You’ll have yourself an immersive time (if you like shmups). The game is IMO an improvement on the first one, which was given away a few weeks ago.

Oh yeah, the keyboard and Joystick combination do not work in windowed mode

Score out of 100 = 79

Game Play – 18
Graphics – 16
Audio – 17
Re-playability – 18
Target Groups – 10

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Alternatives:

You’ll find loads of shmups posted in the free games project. Check the Space Shoot ‘Em Ups thread for a great list of Shmups such as Forbidden Galaxy, Galaxy strike, Alien Arena, Allegiance, Fraxy, Orbiter, Noxis, Parsec 47, and Universal Combat to name just a few , also you’ll find many more in the Game Discussion forums, just look for threads entitled Week……. . Then there’s the Free Games Synopsis where you’ll find most of the previously named free games mentioned, though I’ve not updated the synopsis since week 100 (it’s in week 145 at the moment). You’ll also find over 30 space orientated games over at MyPlayCity, where you’ll find Astro Avenger available 24/7 and Gametop.

works on win7, 32 bit.