Space Heads Review for Windows Phone

In the past 2 weeks , Windows Phone has got almost a dozen Endless Runners especially the most popular ones like Temple Run 2, Angry Run and Subway Surfers . ‘Space Heads’ is a fun packed Manga inspired spaceship runner which holds it’s own unique position in this genre. Apart from working on 512 MB RAM low mid end phones it has many other unique features.

More Dimensions

Apart from just moving right, left or jump and slide found in an Average joe Endless Runner, Space Heads also has a top and bottom dimension & even side flip to pass through narrow gaps.

You start the game by choosing a pilot, buy some boosts (which last for 3 games) and complete missions by flying a spaceship through tunnels filled with gems, boosts, collectibles and of course obstacles. Controls are very easy – Swipe right, left, top or bottom to turn. To side flip all you have to do is press the screen once.

The addition of up and down dimension brings up an extra challenge. Although it makes the game difficult, it brings an extra level of fun as your brain now has to process the game in more dimension than just left and right. Sensing obstacles at a higher speed becomes difficult. Playing while lying on the bed could become a hindrance.

Mines, Electric lasers, Three dimensional map provide an optimum challenge while boosts could make the game easier for you. The catch being you could equip only 3 boosts at the same time. A mini game of collecting gems starts after you acquire a black hole boost in the game. Extra gems could also be earned by collecting hidden boxes in game, these boxes may even grant you collectibles like goggles and spare parts needed to unlock more pilots.

Boosts available in the game –

Repair Droid (Shorten repair time by 50%)
Power Shield
EMP blast (Destroy mines)
Power up duration
Score Chaser (2x score)

Graphics and Performance

As the game is powered by Unity Engine, Graphics are superb with impressive Anti-Aliasing. Graphics are inspired by an Japanese Anime named Tekkon Kinkurito. Performance on Lumia 920 is top notched with a stable frame rate giving you an awesome Endless Runner experience.

The major drawback that I found was, for the swipes to be registered you have to long swipe the screen to turn right, left or else it be will be registered as a side flip. One of the major reason why I kept on dying at a later stage. Even though you get used to it, I hope the developer fixes this bug.

In-App Purchasing

When many of the Free to Play games like Angry Birds Go have messed up in-app purchasing, this game has excelled in making IAP better for users. Gem doubler (2x gems permanent) just costs $0.99 and also gives you 11,000 Gems for Free. Gems can be used for buying boosts or a new pilot.

Out of the 4 pilots, only 1 could be purchased by gems while 1 you get it as default. The rest 2 pilots can only be purchased by items that you earn by collecting boxes in game which require quite a grinding. I have played 30+ games and only managed to win 1 goggle out of 150, sadly there is no way of purchasing pilots by real money.

Extra titbits

Facebook integration to post and compare scores
Soothing background music
Comics which can be unlocked by collecting hidden boxes in game
4 pilots to choose from
Not a pay 2 win game, you can compete with friends in a proper legitimate way
No daily/weekly challenges
Limited number of boosts available
Limited earning opportunities

Overall impression

Being an Endless Runner, it is the best companion while travelling. Unique features, better graphics, stable frame rate, better non obstructive In-App Purchasing make this game stand out of the rest of the crowd. Although swiping problem could arise at rare occasions it is pretty much non existent if you get used to long swipes. I would highly suggest you to download the game