Antistar 3D: Rising Review
“Curiouser and Curiouser!”
One man development team Anime 3D SFX‘s Antistar 3D: Rising is like a breath of fresh air amid the near constant deluge of fart apps, tired console copycats, 99 cent nonentities, and identikit zombie shooters that clogs up the virtual aisles of the App Store and gives self-styled hardcore gamers ample cause to wrinkle their noses at the mention of the humble iPhone ever becoming a bona fide gaming platform.
A 3D platformer-cum-adventure game set in a beautifully realized dream world populated by all manner of magical creatures and driven forth by a blackly comic take on fairy tale fable, Antistar is utterly unlike anything else I’ve ever played. On an iDevice or elsewhere. Yet as arty and willfully weird as the game is, it never forgets to have fun, and traversing its fantasy land is a hugely compelling experience. But one which comes to an end all too soon.
Cast as an amnesiac who awakens(?) without the foggiest idea of where, or indeed who she is, the game’s plot is ambiguous from the outset, and your purpose in this strange place fuzzy at best.
Bereft as it is of a simplistic “save the princess” conceit or clearly signposted quests, you’re encouraged to thoroughly explore your surroundings, pay close attention to the plucky protagonist’s near incessant internal monologuing, and to tease vital clues from the various oddball characters you encounter on your journey.
The first thing that’s likely to strike you about Antistar is its highly original visual style. A delightful mingling of anime inspired character models, surreal imagery, and a Studio Ghibli-esque eye for detail and polish, the results look as if they have been ripped straight from the pages of a children’s storybook.
And like the best children’s literature, Antistar has a mischievous sense of fun, is stuffed with memorable characters – a mad scientist, a grinning sheep, and a posse of gangster mice amongst others – and isn’t afraid to get a little dark at times. So as you make your way through the game’s floating village, rusting, pseudo-steam-punk city, eery enchanted forest, and trippy platforming sections (think an even more psychedelic Mario Land), be prepared for some genuinely unnerving moments and brief flashes of action and violence that frequently shatter the general quietude, relaxed pace and cryptic chin-wags with cutesy talking animals.
Antistar‘s adventure truly is an engrossing one, chock-a-block with memorable set-pieces, an outlandish cast of characters and a diverse range of environments each with an ethereal beauty all of their own. Granted, the game may lack a discernible central mission, yet you’ll never feel bored or at a loss for something to do as you make through it thanks to the wittily written dialogue and a string of increasingly bizarre, dream logic fuelled puzzles.
In fact it’s all so good, I really do wish I could tell you Antistar also plays like a dream. But, alas, it doesn’t. Controls are problematic, the compass shaped click-wheel used to navigate your way through environments is a clumsy substitute for a d-pad or joy stick, while a camera that swoops and pitches wildly as you play, attempting to capture the most cinematic angle on the action, but often obscuring it entirely, means you’ll spend a frustrating amount of time stuck in bits of scenery or repeatedly missing your ride on a floating platform.
It’s testament to the strength of the story and thrilling sense of discovery then that these various problems, which could easily have destroyed the game, barely registered as I played.
Less satisfying is the fact that Antistar ends abruptly on a cliffhanger. I won’t spoil it for you, but suffice to say you’re left wanting for more, and ultimately the topsy-turvy plot poses many more questions than it answers; much like waking from a dream just when you get to the best bit. Thus this 1.0 release of Antistar feels a tad wishy-washy and unfinished, however additional content has been promised by way of free updates. The overall sense I get is that we’ve been shown a glimpse of something of wonderful, and I for one honestly can’t wait to see the full picture. A cult classic in the making methinks.
iFanzine Verdict: This is iPhone gaming as art and developer as auteur, and as such, Antistar 3D: Rising isn’t likely to appeal to everyone. If however you do fall for the game’s unique charms, rest assured, you’re in for an enthralling adventure. In spite of its flaws and slight running time, I wholeheartedly recommend this to anyone whose curiosity has been piqued by the above review, trailer, or sumptuous screenshots.
[xrr rating=3.5/5]Enjoy the review? Get this game on iTunes.
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This review got straight to my heart, and there’s little I could add, as it is also very comprehensive – note the game can be played in either landscape or portrait format.
While it’s been a challenge create Antistar as a solo project, I’d like to credit the musicians that graciously contributed royalty-free loops and effects to the project, with special thanks to Justin Durban and Matt Hansen. Two 3D artists will also give a hand in the future.
The next installment should be delivered around October as a free update.
Looking forward to your impressions
Tea for Anime 3D SFX
Thanks so much for your lovely comment Tea. I’m delighted you liked the review!
As you say, the musicians did a superb job on the game’s score – it helps set the dreamy, magical, and at times eery tone perfectly. Really, really looking forward to the next installment…
…October can’t come quick enough!
Yes, October is coming like a fast train on magnetic rails! Not sure if we can make it… but we’re trying still.
On the bright side, an update is now available with several improvements, including better camera management, a new d-pad and an improved dialog system. Plus, we now have 100% support for retina display
Tea
Hey Tea, fingers crossed you make the October deadline. Can’t wait to see what’s in store for the next installment of Antistar… Also, Just had a chance to give the 1.3.1 update a go, really like the new control scheme and improved camera! Think I’ll have another play through while waiting on part 2
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How do I beat the crow (chaper 2) everytime I try to kill it with the axe the dumb bird kills the girl.
How can I kill that big annoying bear? :/
Wow, it’s been well over a year since I played Antistar, and I’m sorry to say I honestly can’t remember how to beat the crow or get past the bear. Damn, I must be getting old! I’ll see if the dev might like to drop by with some hints for you guys though…
- Ru
Oh my, I have come too late, have I?
But for the rest of us there is the ANTISTAR WALKTHROUGH:
http://www.anime3dsfx.com/antistar_walkthrough.html
Ruan you are not getting old, you just play way too many games, way too much. Whether it is a good thing or a bad thing, I don’t know.
Digression:
Now for some serious leaking of information, a sneak preview or Anime 3D SFX’s new heroine, KAGAMI:
http://eelstork.deviantart.com/#/d4ka72i
If any wandering soul (ghost? doppelganger? leprechaun?) passes by wondering whether I’m still working on the Antistar Sequel, the answer is YES (and NO, I am not dumping our anonymously adorable pig-tailed loli).
[...] the noted issues and our spot check agrees. That editor is none other than the creator of Antistar 3D: Rising, by the way! We’re told another collaboration is in the pipeline, so here’s to hoping [...]
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[...] year (due in no small part to how much I loved this indie studio’s weird and wonderful debut Antistar), and these fascinating new images and snippets of information have only served to further heighten [...]