There are some games that no matter how long they’ve been on other platforms, when they’re released on a new device they’re still as much fun as when they debuted.  Orbital on Windows Phone is one of those games.  This game is a blast to play despite its age and how frustrating it is.

Orbital comes with three modes to play.  Along with the original Gravity and Pure modes is the Supernova mode.  The gameplay is where the game stands out.  You control the point at which a cannon fires its beam.  In Pure and Gravity the cannon rotates back and forth until you touch the screen to fire the beam.  Supernova allows you to take control of the cannon and aim it.  Once the beam fires its pellet it becomes an orb.  That orb will grow and expand until it touches an edge or another bubble.  Your goal is to get rid of them by having your pellet touch them.  Each orb has a number in it that shows how many touches it has until it disappears.  For instance, if you create an orb with a 5 in it then it’ll take 5 hits before it disappears.

It’s not the number that challenges you but instead it’s how big the orbs can get!  It’s not as easy as it sounds when the bigger orbs get in the way of the smaller ones and sometimes right at the tip of the line in which you trying to shoot from!  It’s frustrating because the pellet bounces in strange ways.  But it’s just a load of fun!

The game has a Geometry Wars vibe to it mixed with a little Asteroids.  I love the colors and simplicity of it.  And I really enjoy the frustration that creates because it makes you want to destroy those orbs over and over again.  This game will be tough for you to master yet so easy to get addicted to.  You can grab some Achievements on it which is always a bonus plus you can go head to head against a friend in multiplayer.  You’ll need Windows Phone 7.5 (Mango) to play Orbital so be sure you’re updated.

Developer: BITFORGE
Cost: $2.99
Final quote: You damn dirty orbs!  Despite being another late showing on Windows Phone, Orbital maintains its appeal.  It’s the perfect puzzle game for any mobile traveler.

9.0
“Velvet”