Game Reviews

Destructopus!

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iOS
| Destructopus!
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Destructopus!
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iOS
| Destructopus!

Climate change is one of the biggest challenges that our generation faces, and the best way to combat it is a source of heated debate.

For many, international treaties such as the Kyoto Protocol, and raising awareness through events such as Live Earth, are the best courses of action, while others believe the most effective solution is a gigantic raging octopus.

Destructopus offers occasionally fun arcade action that has an environmental conscience, but control issues mean that the only person likely to be interested is Al Gore.

Ink-redibly Angry

The Destructopus is normally a peaceful creature, but he's awoken to find his planet consumed by environmental disasters such as pollution and deforestation. Understandably, he seeks revenge against the industrialists who are responsible.

Destructopus’s side-scrolling gameplay immediately draws comparisons with Rampage, as it challenges you to destroy as many targets as possible within the time limit.

Our mollusc friend is controlled using the touchscreen, with virtual buttons dictating direction and actions.

Attacks are launched by tapping various parts of the screen, while tapping and holding shoots the Destructopus’s laser once it's unlocked.

The campaign features levels spread across four different worlds, each with its own environmental disaster theme, unique enemies, and targets.

For example, the first world is an industrial area in which you have to destroy buildings and containers labelled 'cosmetics' and 'tusks', while the second world is a forest where attacking trees results in a points deduction.

The aim of each level is to achieve as high a score as possible within the time limit by causing destruction and saving endangered animals like pandas and elephants.

You can purchase upgrades such as improved attacks and moves at the in-game shop, which uses a mixture of in-game and real life currencies.

Environmentally Speaking

The game’s simple arcade action, cartoonish visuals, and almost comical environmental concerns create a great deal of character, but the game is ultimately let down by its poor controls.

Tapping various parts of the screen to attack enemies isn’t an ideal solution, especially since the vagueness of the boundaries frequently results in you executing the wrong action.

Having the virtual buttons at the bottom-left of the screen is equally frustrating - the ability to place these buttons wherever you wish would be much more convenient.

Much like many attempts to tackle environmental issues, Destructopus has good intentions but its execution lets it down. Look out for an update - if developer Glitchsoft can address the controls it'll be a much more appealing prospect.

Destructopus!

Destructopus may be the environmentalists’ answer to the Rampage series, but problematic controls limit its enjoyability
Score
Steve McCaskill
Steve McCaskill
A crippling addiction to Football Manager threatened Steve's education and social life for much of the past ten years, but he has come through it with a history degree and an unparalleled knowledge of zonal marking.