N.O.V.A. 3 [IOS] – REVIEW (89%)

N.O.V.A. 3 is a first person shooter and is released by Gameloft.

“Four months have passed since Kal ruined the Volterites’ plans by sabotaging their war factories, and stopping the extraction of the Judger Artifacts. However, following the assassination of President Folsom, the government surrendered the colonies to the Volterite Protectorate in order to prevent civil war between the increasingly pro-Volterite citizens. Kal Wardin has been laying low since Folsom’s death, nut now he has received a desperate plea from Yelena to come to Earth. Once again, the hero must rise to save mankind!”

N.O.V.A. 3 continues the storyline of the previous NOVA games and continues the fight.

There are 10 chapters in all in the storyline campaign, so it should take some time to complete.

Generally the game works very much like the original NOVA games with the addition of a new “bullet-time” power up. Vehicles are used a little more within the game now, such as Mechs. They even make an appearance in the multiplayer game on some of the maps.

The storyline mode is still solid with lots of auto save points along the way, which is a good job as the chapters are generally very long indeed.

There are several weapons, many of these from the previous game, but some new weapons and equipment has been added.

Gameplay wise, the classic NOVA controls are there, but you now have sprint and powers can be swipped though. The additional controls add to the game, but can leave you sprinting by accident if your thumb moves up the screen or looking for a button that you need in the middle of a fire fight.

There are some disappointing moments in the game. In the middle of combat I ran out of ammo in my shotgun and the game decide to switch automatically to the rocket launcher than a pistol. There is a driving section in the 2nd chapter, and the controls and the graphics are not up to the standards of the main game.

Online Multiplayer was a little bit of a disappointment for me, with no connectivity issues and playing online with people who started with massively better weapons (or seemingly armour) due to in-app purchases. There appeared to be no leveling taking place as in my first level one game there was a level 13, 24 and 53 in the match. The maps can also be too large when only two or three people are playing. Wi-Fi multiplayer is still fun and solid, however, the game appears to have lost the blue tooth option.

The graphics and sound both excellent. They have changed a little away from the original NOVA style, but not too much.

On the upside:

• A true “Console” style experience.
• Fast and furious F.P.S. action.
• Amazing that it runs on the lower spec devices.

On the downside:

• The biggest application on my device.
• Too many controls on the screen, I needed to change the layout from the default one.
• Very long sections, it does autosave, but can confuse if you load back up in the middle of a fire-fight.
• Memory hungry, so older devices will need a reboot before you can play.

Overall, this is an excellent first person shooter. The N.O.V.A universe continues to evolve and make better use of the hardware available. Gameloft have again managed to put together a high quality game and have left the old game intact without breaking the francise. Unfortunately, In-App purchases have been included within the multiplayer which makes it less than great. If you liked the single player mode in NOVA 2, then you will be very happy with this release, people on multiplayer may not be quite so happy.

Rating: 89%

Size: 1.57 GB (1.86 GB when installed)

Price (at time of review): £4.99

Link: N.O.V.A. 3 – Near Orbit Vanguard Alliance – Gameloft

 

N.O.V.A. 2 HD [TOUCHPAD] – REVIEW (88%)

N.O.V.A. 2 HD is a first person shooter and is released by Gameloft.

“The ultimate sci-fi FPS is back! Get ready to step into a whole new level of gaming! 6 years have passed since the events depicted in the first episode. Humanity is now thrown into a bloody civil war fought on one side by the central government of the Terran Orbitals and the self-appointed Human-Alien Alliance; a new organization with a mysterious origin and agenda. Kal Wardin left active service in N.O.V.A. years ago and now lives among the colonists of the desert planet Scorpius. But war never spares even the most peaceful places…”

This is the follow up to N.O.V.A. which has yet to be released for the Touchpad, but was available to earlier webOS devices.

The game itself is like the original NOVA will several enhancements and refinements. For those who have not seen NOVA, may see the similarities with the XBOX Halo titles.

There are 12 chapters in all in the Single player campaign, so it should take some time to complete.

There are several new weapons, as well as many of the originals. Your armour is now upgradable. There is also some limited vehicle usage (such as piloting a mech for part of the second chapter). 

The graphics and sound both very good. They are very much in the Halo style, and look great on the Touchpad. There is some occassional graphical breakup especially around water in the game.

Having played N.O.V.A. 2 HD on iOS I have to make the comparisons. Overall, the Touchpad version is very good with only a few graphically glitches letting down the overall presentation. Gameloft have done a great job on the conversion and it is really a shame the multiplayer has disappeared.

On the upside:

• A real “Console” style experience.
• Fast and furious F.P.S. action.
• Shows the power of the Touchpad.

On the downside:

• Huge download and long install.
• Missing the advertised Multiplayer.
• The A.I. can be a little bit dumb at time.

Overall, this is an excellent first person shooter for the Touchpad, and shows others how this type of game can shine on the Touchpad. Gameloft have again managed to put together a high quality conversion of this iOS onto webOS. It is a little pricey for what is an older title, but here you are paying for quality. I just hope the Multiplayer is patched soon (I am just not looking forward to the download time again)

Rating: 88%

Size: 1.47 GB (yes GB)

Price (at time of review): £4.99

Link: N.O.V.A. 2 HD – Gameloft

 

MARATHON 2: DURANDAL [IOS] – REVIEW (79%)

Marathon 2: Durandal is a remake of a classic FPS and is released by Soli Deo Gloria Productions, LLC.

“Seventeen years have passed since you saved humanity from the Pfhor… Durandal, the only surviving artificial intelligence from the UESC Marathon, has kept you in statis all this time. Once more, you are called on to save humanity. Leading a rag-tag band of humans and guided by an insane AI, you are the last hope to stave off the Pfhor invasion.“

This application puts you in control of cyborg security officer who is trying to defeat the Pfhor invasion.

You need to navigate your way through the game, moving through rooms, corridors and air ducts to fight the never ending hordes of the Pfhor.

Gameplay wise, the developers have tweaked the controls from the original release of Marathon and they are much improved, they are still not as good as a keyboard and mouse would be, but much more along the lines on N.O.V.A.

It seems that many lessons have been learnt since the official, and things that were bad on the original like weapon swapping are better now. My only complain are the two fire buttons, I would have preferred that they were not so small, but maybe that is just me. 

The game plays like Marathon 1, so if you enjoyed that title then this is more of the same.

The graphics and sounds are similar to the retro original, and you can even purchase an HD version of the game.

On the upside:

• Retro Classic
• Solid FPS shooter action

On the downside:

• Gameplay is repetitive.
• Doom style games are beginning to feel a bit old.

Overall, this is another solid retro remake and has learn from the Marathon 1. However, I am really not a fan of these Doom style FPS games, with their pseudo 3D. Basically if you loved Doom or the Marathon title then this one is well worth a look, especially as it is free. If you think it looks dated or hate retro stuff like this, then avoid.

Rating: 79%

Size: 97.3 MB

Price (at time of review): Free (for in-app purchase for HD version)

Link: Marathon 2: Durandal – Soli Deo Gloria Productions, LLC

 

MCGYRO [IOS] – REVIEW (78%)

McGyro is a virtual shooting game released by Chillingo Ltd.

“The western gun range game that’s a cutout above the rest… Meet Sheriff McGyro, the lawman with a difference, when McGyro aims his trusty pistol at someone he imagines them as a plywood cutout. It makes bringing law and order to the Wild West just that little bit easier. “

This games puts you into the shoes of Sheriff McGyro, a guy who imagines all his enemies as plywood cutouts as he cannot bring himself to shoot a flesh and blood enemy (or bunny).

Gameplay wise, you just need to aim your sights at the target and shoot. There are no power ups, different weapons or collectables in this game. However, the areas are bigger than the screen, so you will need to look around for some enemies. Helpfully there are arrows that appear at the side if an enemy is moving off the side of your current view.

The single player game offers 15 stages of gameplay which are split into 5 little stories with their own areas and bosses.

The backgrounds of the game are often animated and give a feel of not being a static shooter.

Bosses are tough, but have weaknesses and if you are a good shooter are not too difficult.

There is a promise of Multiplayer coming soon, but at the moment this is unavailable.

Control wise, there are several options on how to play the game from touch to tilt. However, I found that without a device with the Gyro the game became much harder to play and not as much fun.

The graphics have a nice cartoon styling that matches the cartoon cut scenes. The music and sound are your usual spaghetti western style sounds.

On the upside:

• Fun and playable (with a Gyro device)
• Plywood Humour

On the downside:

• Limited gameplay, shot, shot and shot some more.
• Longevity may be an issue with only fifteen stages.

Overall, this is a fast and fun little shooter. There is not enough here to make it a classic, with no power ups or collectables. If you like the old style shooters like Time Crisis or Virtual Cop then this is similar and may fill that void. If you device has a Gyro it is worth a look, if not, playability is a little more limited.

Rating: 78%

Size: 91 MB

Price (at time of review): £0.69

Link: McGyro – Chillingo Ltd

 

MODERN COMBAT 3: FALLEN NATION [IOS] – REVIEW (82%)

Modern Combat 3: Fallen Nation is a first person shooter released by Gameloft.

“When war hits home, abandon all fear.”

The story line behind this Modern Combat game is that a terrorist group have attacked several U.S. cities and you have to fight them on the home front as it were.

Modern Combat 3 uses the engine and much of the design from the previous games and basically tweaks and improves on these in general.

The game offers both single and multiplayer action.

The single player mode is good with your usually mission / check point based game play. You will often be working with other team mates who offer the extra fire power, however, you have limited or no control over there action, it is more to draw some of the enemy fire.

The other bit of the single player mode I did not like was the AC 130 level, where you offer support fire from an aircraft, I have never liked these levels as they take you out of the FPS action. This level was overly long and unclear to the enemy and friendly groups. 

The Multiplayer side is really the section that will add longevity to the game. With both online via the Gameloft servers or Local WiFi. You can create your own game from large amount of options available or you can join a game that other people have set up.

There are plenty of game types with your usual death matchs, team games or capture the flag.

The only real downside I found with the multiplayer was the leveling with other players and the odd respawn points which would have you suddenly appearing right in the middle of a fire fight.

The game is controlled with a virtual joystick to movement, swiping your finger to move your view and then buttons for firing, running, ducking etc. 

The graphics and sound are generally very good. The maps are fairly large in both single and multiplayer.

On the upside:

• Single player campaign was solid if a little short.
• Good FPS action
• Lag Free online gaming

On the downside:

• Crashing issues on lower spec machines (even iPad 1)
• I disliked the AC 130 level on Single Player. It was too long.
• Slow loading times.

Overall, this is a very good game. The single player game is well designed (apart from the AC130 level) and the Multiplayer game does work well. It is not a huge improvement over Modern Combat 2 in game play, but a good step forward. If you are a fan of the Modern Combat series then it will certainly give you more of what you enjoy. Hopefully Gameloft will release an update soon to tweak the respawns and address the crashing issues.

Rating: 82%

Size: 1.05 GB (1.8GB when installed)

Price (at time of review): £4.99

Link: Modern Combat 3: Fallen Nation – Gameloft