Shooting games are generally action-packed and provide hours of fun, both offline and online. But what happens when you combine shooting games with a healthy dose of sci-fi? You get some amazing games set in space, where you fight difficult bosses and explore galaxies.
If you’re as intrigued with the concept as I am, you’ll love my picks for the best space shooter games for iPhone and iPad in this article. So, read on and get ready to save innumerable universes.
1. Galaxy Attack: Alien Shooter – Editor’s choice
If you want a space shooter game, it can’t get better than Galaxy Attack: Alien Shooter. This game has maintained a steady high rating after thousands of reviews and for all the right reasons.
The game harkens back to the retro gaming era, with easy-to-learn shooting mechanics and levels that get more difficult as you progress.
You’re tasked with saving the Earth from a swarm of aliens trying to invade the planet. As the planet’s last line of defense, you have to put it all on the line as you face huge alien bosses that can kill you with a few hits.
Progress through the levels, and you’ll start to earn upgrades for your spacecraft. Upgrade the aircraft based on how you like to play, and kill dozens of enemies in each of the 140 levels.
For online gamers, you can play against other players worldwide to find out who’s the best space combatant.
The grinding mechanism of the game is a bit broken, though. You might have to spend real cash if you want to upgrade your ship in the latter stages.
Price: Free (In-app purchases start at $1.99)
2. Galaxiga: Classic 80s Arcade – Classic space shooter game
If you’ve played 1981’s Galaga, the Holy Grail of all space shooter games, you will love Galaxiga.
While the original Galaga is no longer available, this game presents a near-perfect substitute. It’s got the same gorgeous pixelated graphics that remind you of old-school games.
The gameplay is another trip down memory lane. From different spaceships that can be upgraded to your liking to multiple boss battles that will test your patience and wit, this game is an ode to the classic space shooters. The controls are also easy to learn. Download the game, jump into the first level, and you’re good to go.
The game doesn’t have any forced ads to disrupt your immersion. However, because there are many planets to explore and dominate, the game might compel you to buy in-game items with real cash. While this isn’t a dealbreaker, it can get annoying.
Price: Free (In-app purchases start at $1.99)
3. Phoenix 2 – Unique levels, tons of customization
Phoenix 2 is another gorgeous space shooter accessible to rookie and enthusiast players. There’s a lot of content to explore in this one.
This is a game that’s truly meant for all types of players. There are over 100 ships to collect, and each ship has its abilities. Regardless of how you play arcade shooters like these, you’ll find something to match your playstyle.
There are daily missions that are different each day, thanks to the game’s content being procedurally generated. This means that it might take you a while to get bored of the game.
Apart from all these amazing features, the game also looks and plays beautifully. It’s got almost everything you’d expect from a modern arcade shooting game. But this game needs an internet connection and can’t be played offline.
Price: Free (In-app purchases start at $0.99)
4. HAWK: Airplane Space games – Best co-op gameplay
Most space shooter games tend to focus on single-player action. With HAWK, you join your friends and take down the biggest enemies.
The majority is similar to its competitors: huge boss battles, hundreds of smaller enemies to defeat, and different planes to fly. But these planes are unique, and you can choose the ammunition and powerups suited to your style.
However, instead of the usual PvP mode typical to these games, HAWK provides unique co-op gameplay in which you can partner up with multiple players, either locally or players from different parts of the world.
Coordinate and strategize with your battle bros as you fight for survival. There are over 240 levels of content to go through. You can also try three modes – Arcade, Assault, and Team-up.
As with most freemium games, as you progress through the levels, the game starts taking a pay-to-win approach. That’s the only issue I’ve found with this game so far.
Price: Free (In-app purchases start at $1.99)
5. Ailment: space bullet hell – Sci-fi/horror space shooter
This is a different space shooter game. Instead of bosses or planes to fly, you’ll find yourself stuck in a spaceship with hordes of enemies in this game.
The focus of Ailment is its worthwhile single-player campaign. Your character wakes up in the med bay of the spaceship and finds that his coworkers are adamant about killing him. You have to wade through waves of enemies to find the truth behind the situation.
For lovers of sci-fi and horror games, Ailment is a must-play. It’s got little references peppered throughout the game, and to an extent, it reminded me of Ridley Scott’s Alien (1970).
Further, you can face other players online in the PvP mode. If you play mobile games with a controller, you should know that players have reported multiple glitches after connecting the game to a controller. Hopefully, the developer will roll out an update to fix this.
Price: Free (In-app purchases start at $0.99)
6. Lightning Fighter 2 – Best boss battles
Lightning Fighter 2 is another gorgeous “bullet hell” game that will put you through the paces. The game features gorgeous graphics that will remind you of anime games with over-the-top animations and color palettes.
In the game, you travel through the universe with different spaceships called “super fighters” and have to go through different levels. Each level features hordes of tough enemies and mega boss battles.
You can also customize your super fighter with weapons and looks that feel unique to you. Think the game is too difficult? Team up with your friends online to fight together against the alien invasion.
The boss battles in the game are epic, with each boss having multiple transformations to keep the levels fresh and addictive.
Many players have stated that their saved files were deleted, however. So I’d recommend you wait for future updates before diving into this game.
Price: Free (In-app purchases start at $0.99)
7. Wind Wings: Space Shooter – Unique storyline
This game’s storyline makes it worth a download. In the game, you’re a soldier who has jumped into the future to find that humans have advanced exponentially in science and technology.
They now use this technology to search for different planets and invade them. In their search for another habitable planet, they encounter monsters in space. The monsters are now headed towards Earth, and you’re tasked to be the commander who saves the planet.
Interesting story, isn’t it? Thankfully, the gameplay backs it up as well. You can control two spaceships in each level, and they have their properties.
You will have to employ proper tactics to take down different monsters based on their strengths and weaknesses. As you progress, you can unlock further upgrades and customizations.
The game is flooded with micro-transactions, though. If you want to win this game, you may have to spend substantial money.
Price: Free (In-app purchases start at $0.99)
8. Shadowgun Legends: Online FPS – Best first-person space shooter
For this final entry, I bring you a personal favorite. This isn’t a retro-style arcade space shooter. In fact, it’s a first-person shooting game that’s set in space.
The game has one of the best campaign modes that you can find in a mobile shooting game. There are 4 different locations, and you’ve got over 200 missions to complete. Essentially, we can’t complain about the amount of content the game provides.
Further, the game’s shooting mechanics are solid. The visuals are on par with contemporary shooters, and it looks great with a gaming accessory such as a screen magnifier.
As for character customization, there are thousands of armor and weapon pieces to unlock as you create the ultimate fighter. You can also customize your character with unique skills that complement your playstyle.
Unfortunately, you can’t play the game offline. The game needs to be constantly connected to the internet.
Price: Free (In-app purchases start at $4.99)
Summing up
Most space shooter games tend to be similar in their approach to gameplay. While they can get addictive, some of them can also be repetitive. I’ve tried to include some variety in this list for the best space shooter games for iPhone and iPad.
Do you think there need to be some changes and innovations to the genre? Post your thoughts in the comment section!
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