Super Crate Box – Review – The PC and OSX smash hit game has come to iOS
By App Type: Uncategorized
Our rating: 
By: Vlambeer
Version #: 1.1
Date Released: 2012-01-10
Developer: Vlambeer
Price: 1.99
User Rating:
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Super Crate Box may well be the only game where seeing the phrase “Game Over” flash on screen after only a few seconds of playing only makes you want to play the game. It’s really that addictive, and you just have to hand it to Vlambeer for seemingly effortlessly making it so.
In Super Crate Box, you control a little fellow in a single-screen environment that recalls the simple arcade games of yore, and your only objective is to collect as many crates as you can. In collecting these crates you’ll be hindered by an army of monsters big and small, fast and slow. Good thing these are apparently mindless monsters who know nothing but to run continuously until they reach the fiery pit smack in the middle of the bottom of the game screen, so you can just try to avoid getting in their way to stay alive. Or you can just obliterate them by using whatever weapon you currently have, as each of the collectible crates contains a different weapon to help you get rid of them.
Every crate you collect effectively replaces your current weapon with a different one, and part of the delight of playing Super Crate Box comes from the randomness of these weapon switcheroos. One moment you might be firing a badass dual pistol. Next thing you know, you’re already charging toward the enemies with a laser rifle. A mine planter (for surprise attacks), a grenade launcher (great for long-range attacks), a flame thrower (mid-range), and even a katana (close-range) are just a few of the many weapon possibilities boxed in every crate. Not all weapons are detrimental only to the enemies, though, since at least a couple of weapons might spell the weapon-toting character’s demise when mishandled. A mini gun, for example, has considerable recoil when fired, while the disc in a disc gun bounces back.
New weapons are unlocked upon reaching a certain total of collected crates, as are new game characters. The characters are rendered in charming pixel art, which is also used for the game environments, namely, a construction yard, rocket silo, and moon temple. This art direction, again, harkens back to classic arcade gaming. Add to these the cartoon action-y looped background music and you’re good to go.
Quick Take
Value:High.
Would I Buy Again:Yes.
Learning Curve:Low.
Who Is It For:Casual arcade gamers.
What I Like:The devious simplicity, the variety of weapons, the pixel art.
What I Don't Like:Control button placements are not consistent between the iPhone and iPad versions.
Final Statement:Super Crate Box has such a classic appeal that it makes you want to keep playing even when your weapon-toting character keep on dying.
arcade ###
- "Its high-octane play married with its no-frills, arcade game design keeps me collecting crates and blasting enemies into delightful little pieces of monster." - TouchArcade (5/5)
"Supremely straightforward, criminally addictive, and easily the best retro action title I’ve ever played on iOS." - AppAdvice
"This is one of those triumphs of minimalist design and limited complexity that gets its hooks in you early and never lets go." - Ars Technica
"The effulgent nature of Super Crate Box is reflective of the game's alluring gameplay and artwork that both will draw any gamer in without fail. " - iPhone Alley (5/5)
"But if you're real gamer – and, what's more, a gentleman – then Super Crate Box is without question the game for you." - PocketGamer (Silver Award)
"This belongs up there with Drop7, Solipskier and SpellTower as an example of the very best that the App Store offers." - EuroGamer (9/10)
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Super Crate Box won numerous awards, including prizes by IGN, EDGE, IndieGames.com and a nomination for 'Excellence in Design' by the Independent Games Festival. So far, over 85 million crates have been collected worldwide.
Collect crates where-ever you go, whenever you want. Now, Super Crate Box is finally available on the go!
