Starfront: Collision

Developer Gameloft has a tendency to make mobile games that are closely “inspired” by popular games on other platforms. In the case of Starfront: Collision, the game being aped is the super-popular strategy game StarCraft II, and while Starfront might lack some originality of concept, this title represents the best game in its class on smartphones.

In fact, Starfront is one of the most ambitious mobile games available. It uses a simple tap and touch interface to allow you to build bases that construct troops and then send them into battle against the forces of their opponents. You act as commander, with the troops executing orders and doing all the fighting automatically. Starfront includes a big story mode in which players take on the roles of three different warring races — humans, robots and vicious aliens — and a phenomenal online multiplayer mode that lets up to four players square off against each other. The price tag won’t stun you, but the game will.

Reviewed: May 23, 2011 | Phil Hornshaw