TUAW's Daily App: Space Miner: Space Ore Bust

Space Miner: Space Ore Bust is a terrific game for the iPhone -- it's an arcade game that's basically a one-stick shooter, where you move a ship around a 2D field (rendered in colorful 3D), collecting asteroid ore and taking down alien robots. But though the basic premise of the game is quite simple, there's actually a lot of depth that builds up over time, as you navigate around various zones, and upgrade your ship, your ore collector, and all of the other various parts of your space ore business.

And while the gameplay is tight and fun, the best part of Space Miner (in my humble opinion) is the brilliant and hilarious script. Not only does the story of the game give you great reasons to keep going out there and blasting ore, but it's legitimately creative and funny. Chicago poet and performer Robbie Q. Telfer is listed in the credits as story editor, and that really paid off for the game -- some of the dialogue is just perfect.

So yes, the game is worth a buy even at the normal $4.99 price -- but wait, there's more. Starting tomorrow, Space Miner: Space Ore Bust is going on sale for just 99 cents for a limited time to help promote the Venan Arcade's upcoming second game, the strangely titled Ninjatown: Trees of Doom. At that price, it's worth a purchase just to play through the tutorial. Definitely be sure to grab it.

View Tags

Categories

App Store

Space Miner: Space Ore Bust is a terrific game for the iPhone -- it's an arcade game that's basically a one-stick shooter, where you move...

Add a Comment

Sign in »

7 Comments

Filter by:

Tom

I was so hoping for an iPad HD version. Space Miner is one of my favorite iPhone games.

May 01 2010 at 2:42 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Dave

This got a lot of press over at Touch Arcade, so I picked up when it was on sale a while ago.

First, the bad: the music kinda sucks (you can play your own music in-game, though, so that's a plus).

Now, the good: this is one of the most addictive games I've ever played on any platform. I was totally skeptical at first, but having a fun asteroid-like shooter coupled with a simplified RPG leveling system and you have casual game gold. It also doesn't hurt that the game has a great sense of humor, looks fantastic on the latest-gen i-devices, and has quick load times.

Verdict: definitely check it out if it's on sale!

April 30 2010 at 11:05 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Dave

I bought this awhile ago. To some extent, it's like the classic asteroids game but with a plot. Very fun. Very well put together.

I got it for $1.99. After playing it I felt bad that I had paid so little. The game is worth more IMHO.

April 30 2010 at 3:02 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Romanmm

Thanks for the pointing to the promotion!
I couldn't buy it for 5$ but for 1$ I will buy it for sure!

April 30 2010 at 12:40 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Gilbert Palau

Ugh. I've played EVE and its so complicated i loose interest. I would love it if it were less intricate and complicated....

Space Miner though is a fun game, rpg is cool, the travel the universe part is there and modifying your ship is there too...

Also If you are going to compare games, EVE is more like WarpGate. This game, is more Asteroids meets RPG.

It took me a decent amount of time to play it from start to finish. Now they have a Space Miner lite that you can download for free.

April 30 2010 at 9:11 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

1 reply to Gilbert Palau's comment

Adrian vG

iConcur

April 30 2010 at 10:45 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Norman

Looks like a nice big time waster, but i prefer the more complicated version, Eve Online ;)

April 30 2010 at 8:39 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply