Cloudphobia

The Good
First Impressions: The first thing I noticed when loading up Cloudphobia was the title screen and then it asks to enter my preferred username.,, nothing much at first. It's when I actually got to the level select screen that I realized the how awesome the graphics were. The transition between selecting two levels was smooth and the glow effects on the two mechs (light and dark) was good as well.

In-game Visuals: Once I actually started the game, what astounded me was that the graphics were, to say the least, gorgeous, including the numerous visual effects from enemies, explosions, laser beams, missiles and boost effects In the first level, the backgrounds were spectacular with rolling clouds, and also, the sunlight when moving into a higher atmosphere after the first half of the first level.

Gameplay: With two different mechs to choose from, each with two very different play styles, it increases the replay value of Cloudphobia. The gameplay is challenging at first getting used to the controls, but after a few minutes of play, they were very responsive, and worked well with the fast-paced gameplay. The animation is fluid and well done. What was really noticeable was how when after boosting, and then stopping suddenly, the momentum carries the legs of the mechs forward. There are a number of positions for the mechs and you are able to (initially) boost in eight directions (after the first burst, you're still boosting forwards), instead of just four.

Audio: The sound effects are done very well, and match the visuals. The music was fantastic and there's a different track for the levels as well as on the main menu. The sound effects were crisp and clear (not muffled) and sounded real more or less.

Net Ranking: Cloudphobia has a nifty online feature, which shows the top 100 scores and 100 times (separate) for each level to be shown. After finishing a level and displaying the score and time, your score/time (if auto-upload is on) will be automatically submitted and if the score/time is high enough, you will earn a rank on the list. On the list, you can watch other player's replays of the level and play the replay, slow, fast, or at normal speed. (Note that the time is the time remaining, instead of the time taken, so the higher on both lists the better. Also, the lists track scores/times not usernames, so one can logically fill up the lists with their username)

The Bad
Replay feature doesn't allow you to rewind, so you will have to restart the whole replay if you missed a part and wanted to watch it again, which makes for observing how others play more difficult.

Only five levels can get repetitive

There isn't a "fyu-kosay mix" or "at-nen mix" on the music in the first level which was featured on previous versions of Cloudphobia.

Is extremely easy after memorizing enemy and boss attack patterns

Simple after figuring out the right places to use missiles on commanders for the highest score.

The Bottom Line
Cloudphobia is a very polished game with good visuals and effects. Hours will fly by at mastering this game with both mechs.

Score: 4.5/5