Today we went hands on with the upcoming addition to Sword of Fargoal for the iPad. The soon-to-be- released update makes some key graphical changes to the original application, bringing subtle particle effects and enhanced sprites. Essentially, the game is now presented in “HD” for the iPad audience. The visual enhancements make the game appear more crisply on the screen, and the action is more vibrant than before. The game certainly won’t wow you on the level of Mirror’s Edge, but it is certainly one of the more pleasant dungeon crawlers to look at.
The actual game mechanics have not changed with the update, and as of now the iPhone and iPad versions have feature parity. Those familiar with Sword of Fargoal will know that the game features 3 difficulty levels, accessible controls and gameplay, and can be classified as a Roguelike. Players travel deep into a randomized dungeon in search of the Sword of Fargoal, leveling their character in the game’s automated combat system, and searching for new items as the dungeon progresses. The 1.5 update also adds new monsters to the dungeon, making each run through the dungeon more varied.
We also had the opportunity to discuss the future of Sword beyond the most current update, and the developers have some fundamental changes in mind. Future updates of the game will add in-app purchases. These paid additions will include new dungeon skins, and new character classes. Sword of Fargoal is not a competitive game, so not having these in-app purchases will not pose an immediate disadvantage. The developer also has plans for non-paid additions, including a better way of randomly generating dungeons, and some new mini quests.
Sword of Fargoal is currently available on the app store for both iPhone and iPad.
