# Illuminations — Fireworks-based arcade action

> Fireworks-themed arcade action game with shooting mechanics and crowd excitement meter. (iPhone/iPad app by Killer Robots.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/illuminations/id299295151 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Killer Robots](https://appshunter.io/developer/299295154)
- Category: Games, Entertainment, Action, Casual
- Price: $2.99
- Rating: 5.00/5 from 1 App Store ratings · 12 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 11.0 · 21 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2009-01-03
- Data updated: 2026-07-28
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/illuminations/id299295151/reviews.md

## What is Illuminations?

The cult favorite comes to iOS!

Illuminations is an action game centered around fireworks. The goal is to shoot the rising rockets in order to set them off. Do a good job and you'll create a spectacular show of light. Miss too many rockets, and it's game over. 

Enemies will spawn to slow down your attempts. Shoot them as well to add to the show, and to prevent them from stopping you. Each rocket you miss will lower the crowd excitement meter, as will each stun shot you receive from enemies. Hitting rockets will raise the meter. If the meter reaches zero, it's game over. 

Features:
- Gorgeous 3D graphics with classic arcade gameplay.
- Smooth accelerometer or touch movement with touch firing.
- Listen to the included soundtrack or play your own music.
- 3 gameplay modes: Arcade, Remix, and Freestyle.
- 6 enemy types and 5 weapons to take them down with.
- MFI game controller support.
- Game Center support with leaderboards and achievements.
- Save game syncing between MacOS, iOS, and tvOS versions.
- Supports iCade joysticks.
- Hours of entertainment! Hundreds of levels! Easy to learn, hard to master!

## Key features

- Fireworks shooting gameplay
- 3D graphics
- Accelerometer or touch controls
- Multiple gameplay modes (Arcade, Remix, Freestyle)
- Enemy and weapon variety
- MFI controller support
- Game Center leaderboards and achievements

## Recent user reviews (10 of 12)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/illuminations/id299295151/reviews.md

### 3/5 — Must buy! Best shooter on the touch!

*2010-04-24*

Updated review
 
1.2 update is great.  The graphics are even better now and you can start at any level you completed. Great job keeping it fresh. Worth the cash as is but put it on sale so more people find out about this gem.  This should be in the top 100 but you need a .99 sale to get there!

 The 1.1 update is awesome. You can now calibrate and the explosions are better and the action more intense.  It's now a 5 star app.  Worth every penny.  Thank you developer !   

could have been a classic but there's no calibration and i dont like playing games sitting up.  all ipod touch games should be required to have calibration.  also, you can only fire in the direction you are moving which isnt very good.  update!!!!!!   the developer quickly responded to my email and said the first update will include auto calibaration and sensitivity options so once that happens, this game will be a must buy.  gameplay is cool.  starts off slow up picks up in the later levels.  beautiful game to look at but we just need the update for all to be good.  this will easily be a 4-5 star game once the update comes.

### 2/5 — Not what you probably think

*2009-07-02, version 0*

This isn't a tap-screen shooter as you might imagine from the pics, but something more like Geometry Wars except with tilt control. It's pretty and controls fairly well, but it's absolutely ridiculously easy. You'll get bored a long, long time before you get killed.

### 4/5 — Fireworks 

*2009-07-02*

Still needs a little more but, AMAZING start  GET THIS APP

### 5/5 — Amazing.

*2009-07-02*

Simply amazing. Must have game. Get it when it's $ .99!!

### 4/5 — A shooter that delivers plenty of sparks!

*2009-03-25*

Illuminations is a fireworks show waiting to happen, and it’s all hidden in an arcade-style shooter. Accelerometer controlled, the controls are easily some of the best in terms of responsiveness and maneuverability. Shooting by tapping the left side and dropping bombs by tapping the right, you’ll find yourself zipping your ship up and down/right and left shooting a variety of enemies and having a blast while doing it. 

The 3D background adds a nice element to the gameplay, but it’s the crowd excitement bar that requires your attention. Think of it as your health bar and as you hit more enemies, the crowd excitement bar elevates. Miss and your excitement bar falls, and fall too far, it’s game over. The game has a variety of powerups that provide weapons upgrades, bombs and even bonus points, and you’ll have plenty of opportunities to pick these up. A handy gauge in the right-hand corner serves as your weapons indicator, which recharges when you stop shooting. While intuitive, I suggest you take the time to get used to the accelerometer controls as well getting familiar with the different types of weapons upgrades. 

The almost limitless levels only get tougher as you progress, while the sound effects add to the classic arcade feel. The gameplay will remind you of the old shooters of yesterday. The new freestyle mode isn't a shooter mode, but more of creating your own fireworks using touch. Among the best of the arcade shooters available at iTunes, Illuminations will bring you plenty of gameplay and replayability.

### 5/5 — I stand before you all

*2009-02-26*

And tell you to buy this game, well worth the money, you won't be disappointed.

### 1/5 — Awsome game

*2009-02-26*

Awsome game. Good firework game similar to others like fantavosion. Nice version for iPhone.

### 5/5 — Fun and colorful

*2009-02-25*

This game is so fun and engaging, it was just what I was looking for!hhh

### 5/5 — Awesoe game

*2009-01-21*

This game is really fun and addicting it's fun to play with your friends and try to beat each others high score good buy :]

### 5/5 — My new favorite

*2009-01-06*

Normally I don't play games but this soon became very addictive and is now my new favorite. Game play is easy to learn, graphics are excellent, and use of the accelerometer is a definite plus. 5 stars.

## Frequently asked questions about Illuminations

### What is Illuminations?

Illuminations is a cult favorite arcade action game for iOS where players shoot rising rockets to create fireworks shows. The goal is to maintain crowd excitement by hitting rockets and defeating enemies.

### How do you play Illuminations?

You play by shooting rising rockets to set them off and create a fireworks display. Missing rockets or getting stunned by enemies lowers the crowd excitement meter, leading to a game over if it reaches zero.

### What are the gameplay modes in Illuminations?

Illuminations features three gameplay modes: Arcade for classic progression, Remix for a different challenge, and Freestyle for creative play.

### Does Illuminations support game controllers?

Yes, Illuminations supports MFI game controllers and iCade joysticks, offering flexible control options for players.

### Is Illuminations suitable for all ages?

Illuminations has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for younger players and families. It offers simple mechanics that are easy to learn but challenging to master.

### How much does Illuminations cost?

Illuminations is a paid application priced at $2.99. There are no in-app purchases or advertisements associated with the game.

### Can I play my own music while playing Illuminations?

Yes, Illuminations allows you to listen to its included soundtrack or play your own music in the background while you play.

### How often is Illuminations updated?

The latest version of Illuminations is 2.1, last updated on March 21, 2023. The developer, Killer Robots, has a history of supporting their titles.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 2.1 — 2023-03-21

- Rewrote the graphics engine to use Metal instead of OpenGL.
- Fixed vibration on bombs.
- Modern system support.
- Minor bug fixes exposed by the graphics rewrite.

### 2.0 — 2019-10-09

- Modern system support.
- Support for new device screen sizes.
- Save syncing between MacOS, iOS, and tvOS versions.
- Added MFI and HID game controller support.
- Rewrote the interface and sound systems. It's better now.
- Hitting the bomb button changes background color in Freestyle mode.
- Fixed High Scores rarely displaying the wrong level reached.
- Updated icon.
- Lots of minor bug fixes.

### 1.5 — 2013-10-04

- Removed OpenFeint and improved Game Center support.
- Added wide screen support.
- Updated background city.
- Updated higher resolution graphics.
- Added iCade support.
- Added sensitivity option for tilt movement.
- New in-game interface for clearing high scores and ending the game.
- New app icon.
- Lots of minor bug fixes.

### 1.3.1 — 2011-02-08

- Upgraded OpenFeint to 2.8.
- Fixed a possible crash in low-memory situations.
- Miscellaneous bug fixes and minor adjustments.

### 1.3 — 2010-10-10

- New Remix gameplay mode. 
- New support for OpenFeint 2.7 including achievements and online leaderboards.
- New support for Game Center through OpenFeint.
- New high resolution graphics for Retina Displays.
- New touch control movement option.
- Improved background and firework effects on faster devices.
- Improved iOS 4 multitasking support.
- Fixed an audio bug introduced in iOS 4.1 that causes sound effects to stop working.
- Improved the sound engine in general.
- Fixed a bug where the game sometimes wouldn't save on app quit.
- Increased difficulty at higher levels.
- Updated and improved interface.

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## More apps by Killer Robots

- [Jack-O-Lantern](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/jack-o-lantern/id334831470)

All apps by Killer Robots: https://appshunter.io/developer/299295154

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-07-28.*