Another week, another TouchDown. Your one stop shop for goings on in the iPhone and iPod Touch gaming scene. This week I search high and low for security cards, partake in a penalty shoot out, and squash some poor unsuspecting human infidels! Plus much more…
Infinity project hands-on
In the last issue of TouchDown I mentioned the Infinity Project. Well this week I got a preview build of the game and been hands-on with it for a few hours now.
Infinity project is a first person shooter/adventure, which very much reminded me of Star Wars: Dark Forces. Graphically it’s better, though it’s no NOVA. It features full 3D environments and characters, as well as some pretty cool particle effects. The premise of the game is to find out what has happened at Infinity Station, a research and development facility located in deep space currently developing controversial technologies and military weapons. The station has lost contact with earth and it’s up to you to investigate.
It seems the station is under attack from Earth’s mortal enemies the Talon’s, and they have managed to get hold of the Infinity device. This allows them to materialise in front of you and attack. Luckily you are armed with a trusty machine gun to take them out.
Movement is controlled via a left analogue stick for forward and side stepping, while dragging anywhere on screen will allow you to look around. It works along the same lines as the default set up in Modern Combat, and almost as well. The first button is above the stick on the left, so to shoot you pretty much have to stand still… it’s not ideal but as most firefights take place in cramped corridors it’s not a huge problem. The Dark Forces link is in the fact that the gameplay primarily involves finding security cards to get access to the next section, with the enemies doing their best to stop you. These range from regular infantry soldiers, to heavy armed gunners, security droids, gun placements that auto shoot, rocket launcher wielding men, and advanced soldiers with lasers. Some sections end with a boss battle of sorts. These are heavily shielded foes, which hold the key to the next section and sometimes new weapons.
So far I’m having fun with it, though it’s limited budget does show in parts, particularly in the AI routines which are not that challenging. It’s point and shoot and hope you out-gun them gameplay, but the story and atmosphere keep things interesting.
I believe the game is in approval with Apple, but if they can fix the AI to be a little more realistic, then Crazy Robot Games could have a winner on their hands.
Ho Ho Ouch!
With the christmas season well underway, it’s not unexpected that there are a flurry of themed games hitting the AppStore in the coming weeks. But Amateur Surgeon: Christmas Edition is not what you’d expect from a christmas game. It sees you slicing into Santa and his helpers to save Christmas. It’s a follow-up to Adult Swim’s Amateur Surgeon, which due to an unfortunate mid-air collision with a flying reindeer crash-lands you at the North Pole where you must operate on the wounded.
It’s out now for FREE
Hand of God
No this isn’t a game about Thierry Henry’s infamous hand ball that has kept Ireland out of next year’s World Cup. This is a cool little god game from Bulky Pix. Using the touch screen and your God powers, you must stop the puny human’s from building a temple up to your celestial home. It’s kinda like the opposite to protect the tower games like Knights Onrush. You have six powers at your disposal, and each requires powering up before it can be unleashed. God finger is the basic power and re-charges quickest. Simply tap on the infidels to crush them! The others are gesture based, with Lightning power activated through a downward swipe and hold, electrocuting them on impact. God wind is a simply stroke from left or right, which will blow them away, Tidal wave is a double finger swipe and carries them off on a giant wave, Fireballs is a two finger horizontal swipe to unleash random fireballs from the sky, and finally you have Earthquake, which with a quick shake of the device will unleash an earthly rumble. It’s a fun little game with you playing to for points and seeing how long you can last before they defeat you.
check out the video below
Speaking of World Cup’s and football (soccer)….
For those of you who remember the amazing Sensible Soccer from back in the Amiga and Atari ST days, comes GOALS! pro. It looks and plays like an almost perfect conversion. Check out the video below.
Asteroids (you might need an ointment for that!)
Venan Entertainment have released footage of their upcoming Asteroids clone ‘Space Miner’. It takes the basic gameplay of Asteroids and injects some deadly enemies and ore collection over 48 sectors, 3D graphics, and physics based particle effects. Check it out:
iBlast Moki update details
Here are details on the next update to the fantastic iBlast Moki (see our review here)
Version 1.2 will bring :
✓ 15 new levels
✓ New world with a doodle graphics style
✓ Editor – Levels can now be dressed with lots of new graphics elements (flowers, grass, bush, trees, etc)
✓ Editor – New environment doodle can be selected in editor
✓ Editor – Improved item manipulation
… and if you are still not sure whether to pick this game up, you can try the lite edition here http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/iblast-moki-lite/id341981775?mt=8 which includes 13 levels and a limited number of online levles.
Objection!
Quite what has taken Capcom so long to bring the Pheonix Wright series to iPhone and iPod touch is beyond me. But finally, it is conformed. Famistsu reported on an event at the Apple Store in Ginza, Japan where Takeshi Tezuka from Capcom mobile announced the game for iPhone and iPod Touch. Look for a release soon.
Let me…. entertain you
Artificial life are becoming the go to developer for promotional based games. They are hit and miss, like the terrible BMW Sauber F1 racing, and the surprisingly good Pandorum. In an unlikely team up they have created the official Robbie Williams game. It sees you racing the British pop star around his own private track on motorcycles, as well as the dirt track seen in his latest music video.
If you are a Robbie fan, check out the trailer below:
or you can buy the game now for $2.99 here
Speed Forge Extreme
Another day, another Wipeout clone. We’ve yet to find the definitive Wipeout/Hover ship racer for the iPhone. There are some good contenders out there like Low Grav racer 2, but I’m still waiting for a game of this genre that will really push the iPhone graphically and also fulfil some multiplayer action. This last one is still to be fulfilled, but at least Speed Forge is heading int he right direction in the graphics department. Check out the video below:
Twin Blades
We all like a zombie fest… ok ok, Matt doesn’t…. but hitting the AppStore anyday now is Twin Blades, a side scrolling zombie beat’em up. It features a fantastic manga art-style, and looks even better in motion. Gameplay-wise it’s very arcadey, with you mowing through wave after wave of Zombies out for your blood. You must harvest their hearts to keep up your energy and earn enough credits to purchase weapons upgrades… which include the excellent flame thrower (pictured). It’s not exactly a cerebral experience, but it’s fun as hell.
check out the video below:
Finally…
Modern Combat’s long awaited multiplayer update was released. 1.1 features local and online multiplayer. unfortunately it’s still in BETA so expect major connection issues. I have yet to successfully enter a game. Listen out to hear if myself, Matt and Nacho have any joy on our podcast (coming soon)
Highlights from the last week on TouchGen.com
If you missed our feature on NOVA last tuesday, hit up this page to read my take on the game, plus 10 minutes of in game footage
We also have a bevvy of reviews for your viewing pleasure including:
The classic Connect 4
A disappointing entry from Square ENix with Hills and Rivers remain
A retro blast from the past with Sword of Fargoal
and a “blink and you’ll miss the gameplay” review of Ace Combat Xi
plus some screens of EA’s Mirrors Edge here
… and Kamblad gives us his verdict on the Sennheiser MM 60 iP Headset
Keep it TouchGen!
