X Invasion 2

Flight sims are a strange bunch. They're not really games in the traditional sense, but are still designed for entertainment.

Of course, what qualifies as entertainment usually involves something being shot or blown up. X Invasion 2 understands that the paucity of action in your run-of-the-mill flight sim makes for tedious gameplay and lavishes just enough excitement on its measured mechanics to keep you engaged.

X Invasion 2 fancies itself as something of a flight sim, though the fact that you're charged with repelling an alien invasion means it takes a firm step to the side of classic flight sim territory.

Arcade mode asks little more of you than to take to the skies and blow up as many aliens as possible. Campaign mode expands on this mindless shooting by leading you through an impressive variety of rank-climbing missions, including dog-fights, bombing runs, air support missions, and aerial manoeuvres training until you’re deemed a pro.

The forgiving nature of combat disqualifies X Invasion 2 from touting the sim label. Get yourself close enough for an automatic lock on the enemy, and they’re toast. This might sound a bit shallow (and it is), but the sheer number of aliens to destroy makes up for such forgiving accuracy.

Control is what gives the game a simulation feel. Joining the accelerometer, which is employed for directing your plane in the air, a number of virtual buttons dictate a range of cockpit controls. It’s this side of the game that brings it closest to its flight sim fantasies and, for the most part, does so elegantly.

Such finesse is not to be found in the presentation. Boasts of photorealistic visuals on the game's App Store listing are definitely a stretch. Low resolution images slapped on top of basic polygonal planes don't hold water to the stunning graphics of Tom Clancy's H.A.W.X.

The simpler graphics might rob the game of some eye candy, but they also keep the speed up, and that’s a trade off that’s hard to argue with. It should be noted, however, that the explosions look quite awesome.

If you saw a hint of flight sim in X Invasion 2, and wanted it for some accurate aerial combat and precise jet fighter imitation, it’s likely to feel as though it’s from the shallow end of that particular gene pool. Deduct two points.

Consider such sims too dry for you taste and the manner in which X Invasion 2 leans toward arcade action will seem more appealing. Yet, such appeal is limited given the shallow nature of its action and decidedly mediocre visuals.