The graphics of the game show a good amount of attention to detail even though there is quite a lot of repetition and lack of variation in debris and alien types.  These few shortcomings are countered by the fact that the game runs very quickly on pretty much every computer nowadays. The scrolling is quick and the action is furious, especially in the later levels when dozens of aliens are on the screen.

From an aural perspective I found this game to be very atmospheric, with the narrative at the beginning of each level building on the atmosphere of each level. The usual assortment of booms, crashes and bangs compliment this action shooter nicely.   Whilst the gameplay is fairly straightforward and basic, traverse vast empty regions in order to collect the EZT and weapons upgrades, the Star Clubber picks up and pace and action in the game quite considerably.  The addition of this weapon’s upgrade several levels in to this game adds much to the excitement just when a certain level of blandness threatens to creep in to the game play.  Fans of this type of genre should certainly enjoy the thrill ride that Swarm Gold is and that, after all, is the whole point. 

Now as some of you may know value for money always counts with me and with this title, unfortunately, it doesn’t pass the Anne ‘Scotch Guard’ Ross test.  With a lot of other similar titles out there for less you would have to be a fan to part with the moola.  That said, it is a whole heap of fun smashing tons of aliens with the Star Clubber in one strike and performing the daredevil maneuvers that defy the laws of gravity and physics at insane speeds. 

This is a game you only occasionally dip in to now and again rather than spending days hooked to trying to go through every level.  It‘s a good game for occasional play. You can resume or restart your campaign at whichever level you left the game and with a variety of different ability settings it poses a reasonable challenge to players of different skill levels. This game perhaps doesn’t have the ability to hold your attention and keep you coming back day after day, but if you have had a stressful day and you want to release some anger there are certainly worse things you could do!