It was just last week at GDC that we checked out a host of new titles from EA and their subsidiaries, and one of the ones that impressed me the most was the sequel to Firemint’s successful line-drawing game Flight Control called Flight Control Rocket. As of today, Flight Control Rocket [99¢] is now available in the App Store.

What I really enjoyed about my time with Flight Control Rocket at GDC was just how well Firemint has been able to expand on the base mechanics of the fairly simplistic original game, while still being able to keep things grounded enough that it feels like a true sequel. The sheer variety of new ship types adds a ton of new strategy to the Flight Control formula, and everything is wrapped up in a nice retro sic-fi art style. The presentation aspect of Flight Control Rocket is through the roof, that’s for sure.

The one thing I’m not so sure about yet is just how well the business model for Flight Control Rocket will go over. The game is 99¢ to download, but there is an in-game store filled with additional things to purchase. There are several types of in-game currency which you can slowly earn through play or purchase in various packs for real money.

The rate at which you earn this currency through play seems alright, but I’m not sure how I feel about being able to buy a continuation of your game or items that augment the scores you’re able to earn. I generally like high scoring focused games like this to remain pure, or at the very least have separate leaderboards for those who use these types of items and those who don’t.

It’s going to take some more time to really feel out how well the in-app purchase system has been implemented in Flight Control Rocket, but the one thing I do know is that I love the direction that the series has evolved from a gameplay standpoint. Hopefully this is able to shine through beyond the IAP system, but if you were a fan of the first game I still think you’ll at least get your dollar’s worth of enjoyment out of checking out this new entry in the series.