The controls are great. Being able to upgrade your ship and online leaderboards keep you coming back. I'll be the getting the full version when it comes out. Also, the developers are keeping in touch with the community on toucharcade.

Ok, this game is so far one of the greatest shooters on the idevice. It does what others have done, but so much better. It's very colorful and pleasing to the eyes, and I love the choices between ships and abilities. It's almost exactly like geometry wars, but with so much more options. There is also a very big variety of enemies, and I love the bosses on the campaign mode, they just add that extra bit of coolness to the game. Leveling up also has a great appeal. As for the controls, they are great. Whoever said that they were bad and wanted options is a moron. First off, the default controls are great. There is no delay, they aren't touchy, they work fine. Plus there are FIVE control options, including various combinations of tilt, and touch controls. Touch anywhere is my favorite, but there is the option of fixed d pads like light wars or idrac. This is also just a lite version, which makes this game even better. The fact that the devs made a lite game that has more features and better gameplay than the other shooters makes this a definite buy for me when the full version comes out. 5 stars on a LITE game. And I never thought it was possible.

Release the full version now.

If you like iDracula and Geometry Wars then this game is right up your ally. The only thing I am taking away a star for is the weapon firing. It's not as fluid as I would expect it to be, but I can get used to it.

The controls are simply amazing... I'm not a big fan of this genre of game, but I think you have really taken a step forward with the design of the controls. Having the ability to move them where you want, during gameplay without having to pause, and the reponse time on them is great, I hope many many other developers use this type of controller.

My vote for Best Free App Store Game Award! @John... You can select "Fixed" controls in the Options menu.

DEV/Devs PLEASE READ!!! (update) you guys over at IDA are sick! This game is on the next level, I have never played a lite version of any app this much, but then again that's just because the heavy one isn't out yet. But I just had to come back and say, what a great job You did on this app, and to be honest the only reason I'm buying the full version is to get more up grades, and ships for survival mode, I mean your lite version is so thick, and me being a survival junkie, it's going to be more like a major update for me, but I just have to pay for it, and of course to support the team, but aside from 7DA, this is the best survival mode in the store, and the fact that you can earn cash in S-mode, to buy more upgrades, is the kill switch for all other shooters of this genre, the only thing I would like to see for weapons is bombs, beacuse the enemy likes to get up close and personal and a good old show stoper, would come in mighty handy in the higher levs. But what would make this game just bottom line insane, and make it better than any areana shooter ever made. Put maps in the survival mode like the ones you have in the story mode, and make it so you could flee/ hide/ protect your ship from the none shooting enemys, like taking a corner/wall in an FPS, and just laying waste to everything that comes your way till you have a clear route, when things get chaotic, or timed modes where you have to get from one arena to the next to access that blue orb before time runs out/add /time to get to the next, by killing all the boggies in said arena, which get thicker as you get further along. Just an idea, and maybe some backround flowing animation, with the same grid, but with more pulsing and vibrant colors, equalizer style, and throw in a female voice over for level ups, low sheilds, etc like in nanoFighter. Of course this could be part of a game two, that you guys/girls make cause it's obviouse that someone over there at IDA likes areana shooters, as this is the best one I have ever played in my life, and I never played geometry war, so forgive me if I've offended a fanboy/girl, but I can't see this team not doing another one, as this one is so good, maybe Electron/ or Carbon Dater2050. And tho CS one hasn't come out yet, my bet it that this one has the genre locked down, thanks again, and really hope you consider my idea for a future app, as this game is already flawless. It's sad to say but the lite version is better than both nano and light, can't wait for the full version, this has those little bells and whistles, the other 2 kinda skiped, like I don't know, a store! Custom upgrades! different ships! Say Whhaatt! But I don't rev lites, so just check it out for yourself. With this and Quantum Collapse coming out next week, and who knows what else, it's going to be nice.

Y dont u have this

Great little dual-stick shooter, definitely the best for the iPhone so far. Great music and lovely execution. The upgrade system will keep you playing for a long long time. Would be nice to see an option for static or mobile controls. Can't wait for the full version!

If you want campaign missions, a survival mode, buyable ships, ship upgrades, several customizable control options then this is the game for you. The controls are awsome. I did this thing where I maneuvered closely around 8 ships then came back and shot like four of them and then I died. It was cool, I wish you could record your game

So far, this is my favorite top down shooter on my iPod Touch. It combines the features of RPGs such as leveling and new equipment with more standard top down shooter fare. It all comes together really well, and as such I can't wait for the full version. And, not to be rude, but to answer Johnemm, you can change the controls to a fixed position, movable analogs, or accelerometer for however you want to play.

This game is great. First of all the controls are splendid, while i have read complaints about the lack of fixed controls if you go to options you can set the control dials to fixed. Secondly the gameplay is fast paced and as you get to the higher rounds in survival the game becomes harder and harder but remains quite beautiful due to the multicolored showers that light up the screen after a kill. Isotope also implements an upgrade system, however unlike many ther games upgrades are not lost when you die, ala iDracula. This game comines the best of action RPGs, Survival shooters, retro shooters, and a plethora of other genres. Get it after all its free.

The only reason this isn't a five star overall is because of some dumb-&$@! that doesn't realize you can change the control method. The game is wonderfully executed and the upgrade system adds a level of depth and re-playability that is lacking in games of this type. Great job! Can't wait for the fill version!

Changed the control to "fixed", and now I'm enjoying it. Not bad for a lite version...if only other developers would have such well designed demos. I'd def pay $1 for some retro-shooter action. Anything higher I'm not sure. I'll wait to see how the full version is priced. Good game 

*edited because I am a goober* There are some great ideas here, but some of the gameplay they are attached to needs some work. Make ship movement instant. In a twitchy arcade shooter, when I input that I want to travel in a direction, I want immediate results. Moving in that direction would have kept me from getting hit, not the slow turn I get when my ship tries to change directions. Would Smash TV or robotron be classics if they had used this method instead of instant reaction? All the ideas about multiple ships, upgrades, weapons and options are fantastic, but the ship turning speed puts a damper on the fun here.

technically great. unfortunately impossible to play on the ipod touch with headphones cos the jack gets in the way of the left hand. hrmph

Better then Geometry Wars!!!

This is fuken pimpdaddy

If you are worried about buying because you have to start over from the lite, there is an option to transfer the lite version data into the full version =D Best geo wars shooter ever.

Love the game. Nice graphics easy controls fun concept hours of play time even in the lite version but for some reason if won't let me equip modules

Fantastic amount of replay in the lite version of this game.

This game ranks up with lootwars and ignite on my list of unique awesome games. the upgrade system makes for an addicting game with a reason to keep playing and stay up all night. I almost had the perfect ship decked out with the coolest stuff, and then i looked at the clock! I played for an hour and thought i was only trying it out! full version, here i come! right after i catch some forgotten Z's!

Great game, exactly what i was looking for. Fun enough to keep me playing for hours yet still good for a short time consumer. My only gripe would be to add an option to change the size of the d-pads.

guys it doesn' work on 3.0 pliss fix the app.. it looks awesome :D

This is a great game. Playing the demo has made me want to buy the full game. There is a serious bug in the latest version though that needs to be fixed. When returning from defeating a planet the ui will be in portrait mode instead of landscape. This will place some of the level selection elements off screen. Fix the bug and I would give the game 5 stars and buy the full version.

guys thanks the game works really well on 3.0 but there's a weird bug :S awesome game :D

Actually really fun! Graphics are very impressive, and I like how you can put your fingers wherever and it will still work. Very nice job with this game!

The store and ship varieties are great!