Solar 2

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Solar 2
Developer(s) Jay Watts (Murudai)
Publisher(s) Jay Watts (Murudai)
Platform(s) Windows, Mac OS, Linux, Android, iOS
Release date(s) 17 June 2011
Genre(s) Sandbox
Mode(s) Single player

Solar 2 is an open world sandbox video game developed by Jay Watts (Murudai) for Windows, Mac OS, Xbox Live, Linux, Android, and iOS, and is the sequel to the 2009 Xbox Indie game Solar.[1] The game was released on 17 June 2011 for PC,[2] 19 June 2011 on Xbox Live,[3] February 2013 for iOS,[4] and March 2013 for Android.[5]

In the game, players control various astronomical objects in an effort to become the most massive in the universe.

The game was released to generally positive reviews, and won the $20,000 (USD) first prize of the Microsoft Dream Build Play competition in 2011, losing the grand prize to Blocks That Matter.

Gameplay

A player controls a medium size star with 5 orbiting planets. A mission start circle can be seen, along with arrows pointing to the other available missions.

In Solar 2, the player begins controlling an asteroid, which can collide with other asteroids to grow in size until becoming a planet. This planet can attract asteroids into its orbit, consuming them to gain more mass if the player wishes, eventually causing life to start when enough mass has been accumulated. Spacecraft controlled by the life on the planet will fly in the vicinity of the planet attacking asteroids, planets, and other spacecraft.[6] The planet can further evolve into a star, increasing in size until becoming a neutron star, around which planets can be brought into orbit, eventually evolving into a black hole and swallowing all matter in the universe, allowing it to start again.[7]

During the course of the game the player competes with other astronomical objects also attempting to consume resources, and from the star stage onwards can opt to complete missions around the universe[1] such as time trials or fighting other systems.[8] To start these missions, players must follow directional arrows to a specific area where they are then given a description of the mission.[9]

Development

In 2009, Solar was released on Xbox Live, with many of the same mechanics which would be carried over into Solar 2.[10] Following the release of the Solar "prototype", creator Jay Watts started developing a "remake/upgrade" titled Solar 2 for Xbox and PC in 2010.[11] In March 2011, Jay released an announce trailer, stating a release date of June 2011.[12]

Reception

Reception
Aggregate scores
AggregatorScore
GameRankings73.4%
Metacritic72%
Review scores
PublicationScore
GamePro80% (PC)[13]
IGN8/10 (PC)[1]
PC Gamer US82% (PC)[7]
App Spy4/5 (iOS)[14]

The game received generally positive reviews from critics after release, with a score of 72%[15] and 73.4%[16] on review aggregators Metacritic and Gamerankings respectively for the PC version.

Gord Goble of IGN described the game as "fun, more than a little hypnotic, and surprisingly relaxing" in his 8/10 review, commenting especially on the soundtrack, which he called "often memorable in its own right."[1] In PC Gamer's 82% review, Graham Smith wrote that "as a relaxing physics toy, it's perfect" but that the missions were "too hard, but still great fun."[7] Nate Ralph complimented the gameplay in his 80% review for GamePro, stating that "amassing a bite-sized armada actually feels pretty good", but that the life on a planet could be frustrating when it gets in the players' way.[13]

In 2011, Solar 2 won the $20,000 (USD) first prize (second to Blocks That Matter) of the Microsoft Dream Build Play competition[17] and was a finalist in the IndieCade festival.[18] The game was also selected to be part of Penny Arcade Expo's indie game showcase in 2011; one of 10 games chosen.[19]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Solar 2 Review". IGN. Ziff Davis Media. July 14, 2011. Retrieved June 29, 2013. 
  2. ↑ "Solar 2 on Steam". Retrieved June 30, 2013. 
  3. ↑ "Solar 2 - Xbox.com". Retrieved July 1, 2013. 
  4. ↑ "Solar 2 now on the iOS App Store". November 2, 2013. Retrieved July 1, 2013. 
  5. ↑ Martonik, Andrew (March 8, 2013). "Reviewing Humble Bundle 5: Solar 2". Retrieved July 1, 2013. 
  6. ↑ Caldwell, Brendan (June 23, 2011). "Space Waif: Solar 2 Is What I Like". Rock, Paper, Shotgun. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Smith, Graham (August 14, 2011). "Solar 2 review". PC Gamer. Retrieved June 29, 2013. 
  8. ↑ Markovic, Denny (July 12, 2011). "Solar 2 Review". PALGN. Retrieved July 1, 2013. 
  9. ↑ Parrino, Scott (July 5, 2011). "PC Game Review: Solar 2". The Wargamer. Retrieved July 1, 2013. 
  10. ↑ "Best 20 Indie Games". Edge. Future plc. November 16, 2010. Retrieved July 2, 2013. 
  11. ↑ Caoili, Eric (November 10, 2010). "Solar: Planetary Space Battles". GameSetWatch. UBM plc. Retrieved July 2, 2013. 
  12. ↑ W., Tim (March 26, 2011). "Trailer: Solar 2 (Murudai)". IndieGames.com. UBM plc. Retrieved July 2, 2013. 
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Ralph, Nate (July 14, 2011). "Review: Solar 2 (PC)". GamePro. IDG. Archived from the original on November 29, 2011. 
  14. ↑ Nesvadba, Andrew (February 13, 2013). "Solar 2 iPad Review". App Spy. Retrieved July 2, 2013. 
  15. ↑ "Solar 2 for PC Reviews - Metacritic". Retrieved June 29, 2013. 
  16. ↑ "Solar 2 for PC - Gamerankings". Gamerankings. Retrieved July 2, 2013. 
  17. ↑ Conditt, Jessica (August 28, 2011). "Congratulations to the 2011 Dream Build Play winners!". Joystiq. Retrieved June 29, 2013. 
  18. ↑ Brown, Nathan (September 16, 2011). "IndieCade finalists announced". Retrieved June 29, 2013. 
  19. ↑ W., Tim (July 9, 2011). "Indie Selections For 2011 'PAX 10' Showcase Announced". IndieGames.com. Retrieved July 2, 2013. 

External links

Official website

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