Galaxy on Fire 2 HD  is one ambitious game, combining space combat and trading, loads of side quests all set amongst a rich political environment.  Having won a few awards, this is one game I was looking forward to, and it doesn’t disappoint.  

While chasing space pirates, Keith T Maxwell  is catapulted to the end of the known galaxy and 35 years into the future, due to a malfunctioning hyperdrive unit. Not only does Keith need to get back to Terran space but a vicious insectoid race, the Voids, are repeatedly attacking Terran ships..  It is up to Keith to save the world, again.

You start off with just a sole mining drill, allowing you to mine asteroids for precious minerals that you can later trade on space stations. On such space stations, you can talk to people in the space lobby, who will offer you an assortment of missions for cash.  You can also visit the hangar where your ship can be fitted out with better weapons and equipment or you can buy an even better ship, if fortunate to have enough cash.  With acquired blueprints, newer and more exciting weapons can be constructed.

Space combat is a common component in most of the missions and one of the most exciting.  You will be attacked from all directions and have torpedoes, lasers, EMP bombs and other weapons at your disposal.  Wingmen can also be hired for the more difficult missions.  The thrill of having beaten a swarm of Void with the huge Void mothership just floating around you is immense.  All in all, the gameplay is involving, with an intriguing storyline and missions varied enough to keep you interested.  The shops on the space stations also tantalise with items just outside your current financial capability.  

Graphics are some of the best I have seen on the iPad.  The planets, jumpgates, wormholes and space stations are beautifully designed and are rendered with loads of detail and lighting effects.  The voice acting is also top-notch even though some of the accents having a strange twang.  

One minor complaint is the difficulty in actually getting to your destination in some missions, requiring you to manually select each subdestination, jump there and then select your next subdestination and so on.  If there are 8 subdestinations, this can take forever. Also of note is the use of the iCloud to allow you to seamlessly resume your game if you have both an iPad and iPhone.  

With the myriad of sidequests and things to do, this game will keep you playing for more than 10 hours.  A thoroughly enjoyable, entertaining experience.