Traditionally speaking, extraterrestrials don't have the most appealing image. The general perception of beings from outer space is a rather unpleasant one – they're either little green men with massive, disc-like eyes or slimy, slavering insectoids hell-bent on repopulating our planet with their demonic offspring.
Thankfully, if its latest game is anything to go by, it would appear that mobile developer HeroCraft doesn't subscribe to this hackneyed view of our intergalactic brethren.
Sweet Invaders features a ensemble of sexy alien life forms that by some strange coincidence happen to look astonishingly like buxom Earth women – the key difference being that they have no inhibitions when it comes to stripping down to their birthday suits in the cold vacuum of space. Kinky.
As the title suggests, this is a clone of Taito's crusty arcade classic Space Invaders. You assume the role of a solitary Earth space fighter pilot bearing the weighty responsibility of defending your beloved home planet from the aggressive approaches of the aforementioned lightly-clothed alien antagonists.
Anyone who has experienced Space Invaders before (pretty much everyone, then) will know what to expect here. Your craft is positioned at the bottom of the screen, with the alien forces attacking from the top in rigid, uniform lines. To further keep you on your toes, as they descend, individual units break off from the main formation and swoop down, attacking your ship with flaming orbs of laser death.
The ultimate aim is to clear the entire screen of hostiles while keeping the metallic paintwork of your expensive intergalactic starfighter intact. The twist here is that once you've successfully repelled a wave of enemies, you get a cheeky peek at their captain in all her naked alien glory. To quote the game's developer HeroCraft: "In your hands they may turn out to be very cute."
Hmm, not sure we remember that bit in War of the Worlds.
Every game seems to require a unique hook in order to grab the attention of potential players these days and it would appear HeroCraft has plumped for the ever-reliable promise of bare flesh. Of course, it isn't the first game to take this questionable approach in order to secure cold, hard cash and it certainly won't be the last.
Clearly the target audience for this kind of entertainment is teenage boys, but even the most randy delinquent would find it a chore to get excited about the mild titillation on offer here. The 'illustrations' offered as reward for progress are decidedly amateurish and only serve to cheapen the whole experience.
It's unfortunate, because as far as Space Invaders clones go, this is a very decent attempt. The gameplay is excellent – your plucky spaceship responds swiftly to your commands and everything moves along smoothly with little of the slowdown that often plagues shooting games of this type on mobile phones.
Furthermore, the in-game visuals are commendable, with some particularly colourful and detailed sprites. Sonically, things are a little less impressive, with only the dull thud of your laser cannon providing support in the oppressive silence of deep space.
This kind of title is perfect score-attack fodder and remains entertaining enough to ensure you will keep returning to see if you can top your previous best – at least until you consider that its inspiration, Space Invaders, has already received a faithful mobile phone port.
Still, if you're a fan of the original and don't mind the sleazy packaging, then you could certainly do a lot worse than purchase this.
Sweet Invaders
An eminently likeable Space Invaders clone that is undone by the unnecessary 'kinky' styling. If you can live with the decidedly limp erotic angle, you'll find a half-decent arcade shooter underneath
Damien McFerran
Damien's mum hoped he would grow out of playing silly video games and gain respectable employment. Perhaps become a teacher or a scientist, that kind of thing. Needless to say she now weeps openly whenever anyone asks how her son's getting on these days.