Prometheus-Inspired: Sci-Fi Gaming in the iOS App Store

June 6, 2012

When Ridley Scott’s Prometheus arrives in theatres on Friday, June 8th, another chapter in one of the most influential outer space film series will be available for our eager eyes to pore over. Based on Scott’s previous films like Alien and Blade Runner, as well as Prometheus’s massive viral marketing campaign, this new film promises to be absolutely packed with highly detailed futuristic sci-fi design. Since we can’t wait to get out into outer space, we’ve started early in the iTunes app store. Check out these iPad and iPhone games from deep in outer space.

Dead Space ($9.99) – In space, no one can hear you scream. In the ominous abandoned space station setting of Dead Space, a whole bunch of mutated once-human Necromorphs can hear you scream, and will do their best to shut you up forever. Part of a (clearly Alien-inspired) hit sci-fi franchise from Electronic Arts, the iPad entry into the series brings top notch production quality to bear on a tablet shoot-em-up experience, with incredible graphics and sound. Not a straight remake of its console game cousins, this Dead Space finds you as a new character with familiar armor and weaponry and bridges the gap between those other stories, making it a must-have for fans who enjoyed it on Xbox 360 or Playstation 3.

Galaxy On Fire 2 HD ($9.99) – Truly stunning visuals and fun flight mechanics make Galaxy On Fire 2 HD a good reason to get lost in deep space. You’re a kick-butt pilot and adventurer, transported to the future to serve as–you guessed it–humanity’s last hope against alien domination. Dock at intergalactic outposts and pick up new missions, upgrade your ship and its guns, and shoot your way out of hairy situations.

Walking Mars ($4.99) – In case you were beginning to think that light-years of travel were required for encountering nasty alien types, Walking Mars brings the danger closer to home. In the near future, our exploration of an extensive cave system beneath the red planet’s dusty surface has yielded a bounty of new (and terrifying) species. It’ll be up to you alone to master Mars’ hidden ecosystem and save the planet from itself.

Mass Effect Infiltrator ($4.99) – Another sub-story in a large, popular sci-fi franchise of its own, Mass Effect Infiltrator acts as a companion to the role-playing space opera series Mass Effect from Electronic Arts. While there’s no character creating or serious moral decision making as in the bigger entries in the Mass Effect series, Infiltrator benefits from the rich world and fully realized futuristic design aesthetic of those games. In this mission, you’ll run and gun your way through a variety of enemies ranging from common space thugs to giant mechs and huge reptilian alien foes. And if you fall in love with the world, there are hundreds of hours of Mass Effect to be had on consoles and PC.

Galactic Phantasy ($4.99) – If you’re less about twitchy action and gunplay and more about strategic thinking and tactical resource management, consider Galacic Phantasy. Heir to a pirate kingdom, you’ll have to prove yourself by acquiring the best ships in the realm, which you’ll use to wage fiery war against your foes. Between battles you’ll be responsible for discovering and optimizing trade routes and establishing business relationships with your allies, to further fund your conquest.

Of course, once Prometheus raises the feature film sci-fi bar, all of these gamemakers will need to go back to the drawing board and see what they can do to match Ridley Scott’s futuristic vision yet again. And if you don’t believe that it will push the genre, check out the first and second trailers for the film, as well as a host of fascinating viral videos collected online.

 

Alexei Bochenek is a lifelong tech nerd & film buff based in Los Angeles. When he’s not playing with his phone, it’s because the movie has started. Shhhhh!