Although stripped down to a bare minimum, compared to it's console brothers, this game still is loads of fun!
I haven't been able to play the console versions, but from what information I could gather, those versions are richer in content, i.e more game modes, and even a sequel. Thus, I cannot go into ample discussions as to how this game is inferior to his brothers, but I have a feeling that although it might be the same quantity of fun, the console backs it up more.
One aspect of this game that contributes to it's charm is it's simplicity. Don't expect a cheap story in which you're supposed to fly around different worlds and shoot things, and buy upgrades. It's just clean old fun, and surprisingly enough, it has got me returning to play it time and time again.
Minimalism can be the source of eye candy on numerous occasions, this is an example of such. The creators had the brilliant idea (as I see it) of introducing the "space-time" fabric, as a grid upon which the action takes place. Although not all enemies abide to the rules of this fabric, some do, and as you can image, the player can gain from exploiting their weakness. Such enemies can be either pulled in black hole-structures, that bend the fabric so everything slips in their void, or by using a certain type of ammo, which bends the fabric around the "bullets", thus fending off unwanted guests. The most extreme example of bending the space-time continuum would be the detonation of an on-board bomb, which practically obliterates everything in it's reach, and creates a giant ripple in the grid.
Leaving the grid aside, I turn now to the graphic style of the game. I love how simple vector graphics and a particle engine bring so much satisfaction from blowing enemies up. The effects that follow the destruction of a foe are simply charming. There are several types of enemy ships, each reacting in different ways, some more annoying than others.
Although I couldn't last too long in this intense arcade shooter, the quantity of a single run is compensated by the sheer charm and addictiveness of the game, two factors that are guaranteed to bring you back for countless times.