CJ: Strike Back, by developer DroidHen, is somewhere between a running game, a classic arcade title, and a sci-fi action app for Android. If you combine all three, you get something close to the app’s stellar gameplay, anyway, and as a free offering in the Android Market, there’s almost no reason not to give CJ: Strike Back a run-through. It’s fun, fast-paced, and best of all, absolutely free.
Concept and Gameplay
CJ Strike Back
The idea behind CJ: Strike Back is simple: You play as a superhero who must rid the city of all evil robots. These machines rest along the walls of—apparently—the city’s only major skyscraper, or float in-between, waiting patiently for you to bolt through. By tapping either the left or right side of the screen, users can send the protagonist hurtling to the other side of the level. If he slams into any robots while mid-air, he’ll take them out like Muhammed Ali in the ring. Obviously, this racks up the points and adds a certain, shall we say, spark to the gameplay.
The developers have added a few more incentives to keep the concept fresh, including an absolutely fantastic power-ups system. By slamming into three baddies of the same kind, the player can assume a unique superpower for a short amount of time. My favorite was the Human Torch-esque flaming ball that leaves you indestructible for one, brief flight.
There’s also a boss robot that makes an occasional appearance, teasing the player along toward the eventual end-game. The app also presents the user with a special task that, if accomplished, adds a score multiplier to the occasion. All in all, it’s a rock-slid time waster for the Android platform that fits nicely into a boring queue.
Layout and Graphics
CJ: Strike Back borrows a lot from comic lore, but this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. The app’s protagonist looks a bit like Mr. Incredible, and the various superpowers are unabashed copies of other comic heroes (if you like the Silver Surfer, you’ll find him hidden here) but this hardly detracts from CJ: Strike Back’s value. In fact, it rather made me feel at home, or at least safer in the app’s arms than I might have been, had they created their own, in-app mythos.
The graphics themselves are superb, with a retro arcade feel that made me think of my childhood spent cramming quarters into machines at the local pizza joint.
Overall Value
At the end of the day, CJ: Strike Back is a super steal at its no-charge pricing in the Android Market. For that price of entry, users can enjoy a top-notch running game with a comic book problem. There are adverts to contend with, but if you need to kill a few minutes during the morning commute, the app is easily one of your best bets.
Android Apps Review Details: CJ: Strike Back app is free. This app requires Android 1.5 and up. You may download CJ: Strike Back from the Android Market.
