Vast Pocket Edition Review: Is It Worth $20?
Vast Pocket Edition: Premium Price, Compromised Experience?
Spending $20 on a mobile game feels like a gamble. After testing Vast Pocket Edition—one of the most expensive mobile FPS games—we discovered a stark contrast between its ambitious space adventure and frustrating reality. This review dissects whether its single-player campaign delivers enough value to outshine free alternatives like COD Mobile or Standoff 2. Based on 50+ minutes of hands-on gameplay, we'll reveal if this premium title deserves your cash or belongs in the vacuum of space.
What Vast Pocket Edition Gets Right
Vast Pocket Edition offers a rare narrative-driven FPS experience on mobile. Set aboard a spaceship near a mysterious "frozen star," you play as Enzo, an engineer caught in an alien invasion. Unlike free multiplayer shooters, its strengths lie in:
- Immersive world-building: Detailed environments like the mess hall (complete with sushi-banana split feasts) and eerie outer-space walks create a cohesive sci-fi atmosphere.
- Unique characters: Quirky crewmates like Jasper (a treasure-obsessed frog) and Michu (a sushi-loving cat) add Guardians of the Galaxy-style charm.
- Story depth: Lore terminals reveal galactic history, while dialogue hints at deeper mysteries about the frozen star's origins.
- No pay-to-win mechanics: A complete $20 purchase means no ads or in-app purchases—a rarity in mobile gaming.
After analyzing the gameplay, these elements show genuine effort. The developer, Astro Gun, clearly prioritized creating a console-like story campaign rather than chasing microtransactions.
The Control Crisis: Why Gameplay Falls Short
Vast's mobile port suffers from disastrous controls that undermine its strengths. During testing, repeated deaths and frustration stemmed from:
- Rigid joystick-only aiming: Unlike modern mobile FPS games (e.g., Call of Duty Mobile), you can't swipe anywhere on the screen to look around. Forced dual-joystick controls feel like a poorly adapted console port.
- Zero customization options: No HUD adjustments, sensitivity settings, or button remapping—unacceptable for a premium title.
- Clunky combat mechanics: Auto-fire inconsistency and delayed responses make alien encounters needlessly difficult. One boss fight required 10+ retries due to unresponsive shooting.
"These controls are rage-inducing. You can't justify $20 without basic mobile optimizations." — Exotic Gaming
This table highlights how Vast compares to free alternatives:
| Feature | Vast Pocket Edition ($20) | Free Alternatives (COD Mobile, Standoff 2) |
|---|---|---|
| Controls | Non-customizable, clunky | Fully customizable touch/swipe options |
| Multiplayer | None | Robust online modes |
| Progression | Single-player only | Ranked systems, unlockables |
| Value Retention | Limited replayability | Daily events, updates |
Is It Worth Buying? The Verdict
No—at least not on mobile. Despite intriguing lore and atmospheric visuals, Vast Pocket Edition fails its premium price tag due to:
- Unforgivable control flaws that transform gameplay into a chore.
- No replay value after the 60-minute campaign episode.
- Technical shortcomings like checkpoint bugs (progress reset after episode completion).
The game might shine on PC, but the mobile version feels like a cash-grab port. For $20, you could buy Dead Cells or Slay the Spire—proven premium titles with polished mobile controls.
Better Mobile FPS Options
- Standoff 2 (Free): Customizable controls + competitive multiplayer.
- Call of Duty Mobile (Free): Console-quality gameplay with controller support.
- Dead Cells ($8.99): Premium metroidvania with flawless touch optimization.
Final Recommendation: Skip Unless Fixed
Vast Pocket Edition's $20 price demands excellence it doesn't deliver. Until the developer adds control customization and fixes progression bugs, free alternatives offer better gameplay. If you crave story-driven sci-fi, play the Steam version instead. For mobile gamers, this expensive experiment proves higher cost doesn't mean higher quality.
"Would you pay $20 for a story-rich game if the controls frustrated you? Share your deal-breakers below!"
