Adding a spin onto the classic 'brick-breaker' formula is a difficult endeavor. Many times have remixed versions of the game appeared that either produced awful or mediocre results. Sure: most games of this genre are fun- but how many would you actually pay money for? Space Ark is similar to brick-breaker esque games in the aspect that you control a platform moving left-to-right. You also are required to prevent a 'ball' from touching the ground, while constantly chipping away at a plot of objects floating above. Though the title reveals little, Space Ark is far from your generic reimagining of a classic. For 800MSP ($10) you may want to give this a try!
First of all, there is no 'ball' to bounce. Instead you take care of a multitude of cute critters. Bears, cats, zebras- just to name a few (24 total). Rather than breaking a giant brick in the sky, these “Arkonauts” must collect precious DNA samplings scattered about. Collecting the DNA brings planets back to their former glory, which is a satisfying effect. After completing each level you'll notice planets begin to liven up; lush greenery occupies once barren space dirt, and snow takes over asteroid turf. Besides collecting DNA you must also collect fallen fruit, and use power-ups to lessen your load. Though the traditional 'gun' was by far the most useful at easing through a level, the fruit magnet definitely made gameplay more relaxing.
Truthfully, I was a tad put off by the animals at first. First impressions may lead gamers to believe this is nothing but a cutesie title aimed at teen-girls and preschoolers. Wrong. Though the characters are well..adorable, the gameplay is far from easy. The pacing starts off slowly; perfecting a level is a no-brainer and you never feel challenged. Then suddenly the difficulty-train starts chugging. Stages become larger, obstacles stand in your way, and earning a perfect is rare. Space Ark isn't a 'Hardcore' title, but the graphics are admittedly misleading to say the least. To be fair, most any gamer could progress through the game and finish it. But earning 100% completion on a planet should be left to the more experienced.
