“Space Invaders clone with gorgeous graphics”

No matter how much you like long, complicated videogames that suck up all your spare time, sometimes what you're looking for is a simple entertaining game just to have some fun.
Astro Avenger II is one of those easy, amusing videogames you can play for a while without the risk of getting hooked on them for days. Like those good old arcades you used to play a few years ago, this game puts you in control of a spaceship in a vertically scrolling area where the aim is basically to kill anything that dares move in front of you.

While Astro Avenger includes many traditional elements of classical space games (the aforementioned vertical scrolling, enemy waves, lots of power-ups) it also takes advantage of current technology, mainly regarding graphics and special effects such as lasers, explosions and the likes.

What I specially liked about Astro Avenger II was the possibility to buy new weapons, shields and bots – or upgrade the ones you already have – after completing each level. On the downside, some stages are so enemy-packed you can hardly tell enemies from the background scenario.

Astro Avenger II is the kind of game when you just need some simple, easy fun: an amusing space invaders clone with loads of explosions and power-ups.

Languages:

English

Limitations:

60 minute gameplay

OS requirements for Astro Avenger:

OS: Win98/98SE/Me/2000/XP/Vista

Minimum requirements:

Processor: 70 MHz
Memory: 64 MB
Video: 32 MB
DirectX 9.0c

Recommended requirements:

Processor: 1.5 GHz
Memory: 256 MB
Video: 128 MB

Pros

Good, easy fun
Loads of power-ups
You can buy new equipment or improve the one you have after completing each stage

Cons

Sometimes it's hard to distinguish enemies

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From the publisher of Astro Avenger

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 and endeavored to resist the enemy. But all the attempts would have been vain had it never occurred to them to find and assemble the secret weapon which might reverse the flow of war to their favor. 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.

There are 50 levels in 5 different worlds, 35 kinds of units and 15 types of weapons available in Astro Avenger 2. The gameplay, as the genre implies, 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.