OVERALL RATING		2.5
Presentation		3.0
Control		3.0
Gameplay		2.5
Fun factor		2.5
User Rating		4.5

If you’ve upgraded to Windows Vista chances are you’ve already skimmed the pre-loaded game offerings that come with it and crossed paths with Crystal Quest.  Either that or you’ve seen it on the Xbox Live Arcade service or actually go way back to remember it from the 80’s.  What I’m trying to say here is that if somehow you’ve managed to avoid it in the past, you’ve got no excuse now because a mobile version has been made available.

Crystal Quest is a space shooter of sorts, not unlike Geometry Wars or Robotron, in which you pilot an orb to collect what else, crystals.  These crystals are scattered about the screen and it’s your job to go collect them as you maneuver around obstacles and Nasties (a group of enemies).  When all of the crystals have been collected, a gateway opens and you can continue on to the next level.

The shooter part comes in while moving about the screen because your orb will fire in whatever direction it is moving.  This eliminates any Nasties in your way.  Additionally, the use of Smart Bombs is employed where you can destroy all enemies on the screen in one swift explosion.  So as you proceed through the 60 levels available, new smarter enemies will appear and more crystals will need to be collected.

A timer comes into play but this merely dictates extra points if you are able to clear the screen within a certain amount of time.  Early on it’s a piece of cake but the higher in levels you go, the more tricky it becomes because of crystal placement, Nasties on the screen and just overall scheme of movement.  You never really have to worry about the time, but you do have to worry about the movement.

You can use either the D-pad or keypad to move the orb around but either one tests your patience.  You see, using the keypad reacts fine but it isn’t as instinctive as using the D-pad.  The D-pad in turn, isn’t as responsive and in the end, the controls end up being the major factor in losing a life.  The just aren’t completely sharp but if you decide to be patient, and screw the bonus points for finishing the level fast, then you should get pretty far up into the later levels.

There are no real extras to the game, except for maybe winning an award or two or access to online leaderboards, but the fact that once you lose you will need to start from the beginning really keeps you from playing it in satisfying mobile minutes.  You’re either in it till the end or will have little desire to start from the beginning again.  Keep in mind that this game is from the 80’s and even though it has received some visual upgrades and the like, it’ll still play very similar to that era’s experience.  So at the very least you should go in knowing that.