What’s your plan for the long, fireworkless, Fourth of July weekend? Nothing? Perfect. That means more time to devote to video games, more specifically, free video games. This Week’s Waste of Time is the low-fi dogfighting of Luftrauser from the folks at Vlambeer … or Not Vlambeer, I’m not sure if there’s a difference.
The look of the game is nothing to write home about. It’s monochromatic and minimal to good effect. The real selling point is the arcade style play that combines simple controls with decent physics. The result is a surprisingly rich gameplay. There’s something deeply rewarding about getting enemy planes to follow you only to spin around and blow them out of the air as your momentum keeps you moving. I wouldn’t recommend it in a fighter jet, but I think players won’t have a problem suspending their disbelief.
Like most arcade experiences, each game won’t last you much longer than five minutes or so, but like all great arcade hits it makes you want to come back over and over and improve your score.
If you need even more Vlambeer-created fun try Radical Fishing.
Click here to play Luftrauser.
This article appears in June 24 • 2011.
