The key to these high scores is the combo multiplier, which builds up to a x20 bonus as you destroy enemies.

Your preferred setup may vary from mine, but high scores are attainable in many different ways. While this may disappoint anyone hoping to get better, faster, and stronger through equipment alone, it does ensure a relatively level playing field on the leaderboards. A stronger weapon might mean a much slower firing speed, and you have to sacrifice a lot of armor for a plane that doesn't take damage when running into enemies. Every new piece you unlock may improve one aspect of your plane, but it comes at the cost of another. It's important to note that these new plane parts aren't 'better' so much as they're different. Unlockable color palettes can switch up the visuals, but some are easier on the eyes than others. Beyond simply presenting you with goals to accomplish, these challenges are a good way of enticing you to try new parts and new combinations, especially if the challenges for specific parts happen to share similar goals. So if you need to sink eight ships in one combo to complete a homing missile challenge, for example, you can do so only when you have the homing missiles equipped. Each part has its own list of challenges that must be completed in a set order if you wish to unlock additional equipment, and you can tackle those challenges only when the part in question is equipped. These parts are unlocked by completing challenges, of which you can attempt three at a time. Do you opt for an engine that can hit the water without taking damage, or take a plane that is propelled by gunfire that shoots behind you? Each of these parts can drastically change the way the plane flies, and the wealth of potential combinations means there are a lot of different play styles at your fingertips.

As you play, you unlock new parts for your plane: new guns, new bodies, and new tails. The controls feel so natural that the game's tutorial is almost unnecessary, but don't assume you're a master pilot after a few flights. Taking out ships can be a challenge, especially without proper equipment. Luftrausers is not an easy game, and you won't get far if you're not careful. If you don't back off the guns and give yourself a chance to heal, you'll go out in a blaze of glory. A large circle appears on the screen when you get hit and tightens around your plane as you sustain more hits. You don't want to hold that button down all the time, though, because when you take damage (and that is a 'when,' not an 'if'), your plane repairs itself only when you're not firing. The game's only other button fires your weapon. Masterful use of these mechanics separates the ace pilots from the rookies. There is a floaty nature to the way gravity brings you down, and you can often turn faster when you're not thrusting. Letting off the thrusters causes your plane to fall, which is much more useful than you might think. Holding up on the analog stick or keyboard gives thrust to your plane in whatever direction you're pointing, which you can change by turning left or right.

Luftrausers flash game