Part of the reason why I think my iPhone/iPod Touch are amazing to game on is that developers sometimes take classic game ideas and add in all the RPG elements and character progression we’ve come to expect from top-tier PC/console games. One of the better examples of this is Warblade, a Space Invaders–type app from EMV Software. Warblade tales a classic formula and mixes in lots of progression through upgrades and unlockables.
Warblade starts out with a short tutorial to explain the control options and how to play. Before you start the game, you ‘ll have the option to set the graphics level, a feature that ‘s not too common for iPhone Games. The highest setting displays beautiful scrolling backgrounds, and the texture details and effects are very pretty. This setting is recommended for iPhone 3gs or better. The medium and lower settings take out the background and the graphics don ‘t look quite as nice, but it ‘s still doesn ‘t take away from the experience. This is recommended for earlier iPhones and iPod Touch models. It should be noted that I tested the game on an iPod Touch, 2nd generation, and I could use the highest settings without the game running poorly. That device was pretty bare-bones, so I can’t guarantee it will work the same for you, but it’s worth a try.
Two game modes are offered: mission and time trial. They both contain the same type of gameplay, with the difference being a time constraint in the time trial mode. Essentially the game plays out like a modernized Space Invaders. You control a ship which moves left or right along the bottom of the screen. Baddies fly in patterns on to the screen, and it is your job to blast them to pieces. The full range of control options are covered, from tilt controls, to 1:1 touch controls, to the digital button controls that I preferred. No matter how you prefer to control your iPhone games, Warblade has you covered.
As you progress through levels, you ‘ll gain all sorts of bonuses. Some ships drop bonus items after they explode, ranging from extra shields and guns, to instant death (yes, all bonuses are not necessarily good things in Warblade). You ‘ll also be earning money that can be spent on upgrades in between levels. There are a lot of upgrades to pick from, and they will stay with you. For instance, if you buy the ‘triple shot ‘ upgrade, your ship will always have that as its base weapon for the rest of that game (you’ll shoot 3 bullets instead of 1 with your basic gun). These bonuses and purchasable upgrades give the game a ton of replay value, as you ‘ll want to experiment with different upgrade ‘paths ‘ to see which is the most effective, and which can get you the farthest.
As with most iPhone arcade games, once you run out of lives, your game is over. Unlike most games, in which you ‘d go back and start at the beginning, Warblade adds an element of progression. There are a different locked gameplay bonuses that you can only earn by playing through Warblade repeatedly. For instance, after the first time you score one million points, you ‘ll unlock an upgrade that has you starting with ten bonus bullets. It ‘s kind of like being awarded for completing achievements, and for me it ‘s the carrot that keeps me going. If you unlock a bunch of the achievement bonuses, you ‘ll have a more capable ship from the get-go, which in turn will allow you to make it farther in the game, and earn more bonuses. These unlockables are viewed from the “profile” menu, which also allows you the option of creating up to ten different profiles – so you and your little brothers and sisters (or whoever you may share your iPhone with) can each have your own.
I ‘ve spent more than 25 hours on Warblade, and that was the last thing I expected when I was gearing up to play a Space Invaders-type game. The RPG elements included in the game propel Warblade far beyond the majority of space shooters you ‘ll find on the AppStore. I ‘m sure it will probably ruin some of the other games I ‘ll be trying in the future, because if they don ‘t have the same elements of progression, they won ‘t be able to hold my attention for long. Warblade is a fantastic game, and EMV Software should be commended for delivering a quality product to iPhone owners. When so many games on the AppStore take advantage of users ‘ goodwill, Warblade delivers an intense gameplay experience with great graphics that rewards users for playing.
Warblade is available for$0.99 from the AppStore.
EMV Software provided a promo code to Just Another iPhone Blog for the review of Warblade. For further information regarding our site’s review policies, please see the “About” page.
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TAGS: iPhone, ipod touch
