Invaders – Retro Space War offers that moment when your thumb cramps from mashing fire buttons, your ship’s the last line of defense, and the alien swarm’s nearly breached the screen, it’s burned into every arcade kid’s memory.
Invaders – Retro Space War by SMTech Apps promises to resurrect that tension for your phone. But between the neon soaked pixels and ads that hit like a surprise boss attack.
What You’re Getting from Invaders – Retro Space War
This isn’t some reimagined RPG lite shooter with upgrade trees and loot boxes. The game plants its flag firmly in 1978:
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Core Loop: A lone ship at the bottom of the screen, aliens marching downward in rows, and you blasting away. Survive as long as possible.
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Modern Tweaks: Three boss fights disrupt the rhythm with attack patterns that demand actual strategy, like the “Spiral” boss that forces you to hug screen edges.
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Controls: Touch responsive movement and auto fire (thankfully). No virtual D-pads to wrestle with.
Who’s It For?
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Nostalgic 30-50yos who miss arcade quarter munchers.
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Casual gamers wanting 5 minute stress relievers between meetings.
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Parents introducing kids to “games from their time.”
Invaders – Retro Space War Features :
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Boss Battles That Matter
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Unlike mindless Space Invaders clones, each boss here has a personality:
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Type 1: Fires zigzag shots, dodge by mirroring its movement.
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Type 2: Blankets the screen in spiral patterns. Pro tip: Bait shots, then strike during cooldowns.
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Type 3: A screen spanning laser that’s pure panic fuel.
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The Look & Sound
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Visuals: Think Tron meets a dingy arcade, glowing sprites, CRT scanlines, and explosions that pop.
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Soundtrack: Synthwave beats that escalate with each wave. Headphones recommended.
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The Ad Problem
Expect a full-screen ad after every 2-3 games. It’s the price of “free,” but stings when you’re chasing a high score.
Invaders – Retro Space War vs. The Competition:
The mobile gaming space is flooded with Space Invaders clones. So what makes Invaders – Retro Space War worthy compared to alternatives like Classic Invaders Retro or Space Invaders Extreme? :
The Boss Battle Advantage
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The Wave Boss – Attacks in predictable volleys. Time your strikes during its 2 second reload window.
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The Spiral Boss – This is where most players hit a wall. Its attack spreads outward in a spiral pattern. Here’s how to beat the spiral boss in Invaders – Retro Space War:
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Immediately move to either far left or right corner
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The spiral gaps are widest at screen edges
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Only fire during its “charge up” animation
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Never get greedy – one missed shot could end your run
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The Laser Boss – Covers the entire screen in alternating horizontal beams. Your only hope? Memorize the safe zones that appear between waves.
The Ad Problem (And How to Mitigate It)
Yes, the ads are aggressive. After testing, here’s what we found:
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Free version shows a 30 second ad every 3 games
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$2.99 one time payment removes them completely
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Workaround: Airplane mode blocks ads, but you lose:
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Score saving
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Any hope of future leaderboards
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What It Lacks (And Competitors Offer)
| Feature | Invaders – Retro Space War | Classic Invaders Retro | Space Invaders Extreme |
|---|---|---|---|
| Progression System | ❌ None | ✔️ Unlockable ships | ✔️ Weapon upgrades |
| Online Features | ❌ Solo only | ✔️ Leaderboards | ✔️ Daily challenges |
| Visual Style | CRT filter overload | Clean pixel art | Modern neon aesthetic |
Verdict: If you want pure, undiluted arcade action, this wins. For anything deeper, look elsewhere.
Pro Tips For High Scores
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The Chain Kill Bonus
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Every 5 aliens killed without getting hit doubles your multiplier
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Prioritize bottom row aliens first to create shooting lanes
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Boss Patterns to Watch For
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All bosses flash red before special attacks
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Type 1 always fires 3 volleys then pauses
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Type 2’s spiral starts tight then widens
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Ship Positioning
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Never sit center screen
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The far left position gives best firing angles
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Conclusion :
Best For:
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Arcade purists who want that raw 1980s experience
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Short commute gaming sessions
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Players who appreciate pattern recognition challenges
Look Elsewhere If:
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You want progression systems or unlocks
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Ads frustrate you (and you won’t pay to remove them)
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You’ve played more than 3 Space Invaders clones this year
Final Rating: 7.5/10
It does exactly what it promises – nothing more, nothing less. The bosses elevate it above most mobile retro shooters, but the lack of meta progression hurts long term appeal.
FAQ
What makes Invaders – Retro Space War different from other retro shooters?
The three unique boss battles set it apart – each requires different strategies to defeat. Download Invaders – Retro Space War from Google Play Store
Where can I find advanced Invaders – Retro Space War boss strategies?
The spiral boss requires corner hugging tactics, while the laser boss needs precise timing. For specific questions, contact the devs: smtechadev[at]gmail.com
Does the game save high scores between sessions?
Currently scores only save locally. The developer has hinted at online leaderboards in future updates.
What’s the best strategy for maximizing my score?
Focus on chain kills (5+ without getting hit) and always prioritize bottom row aliens first.