Reckless Getaway iPhone and iPad Game Review

Reckless Getaway sees you driving away from robberies at crazy fun speeds in a couple of different vehicles. The vehicles handle in a skiddish manor adding lots of fun. Currently 17 creatively designed levels are available to drive through but more are coming in the future with updates. All levels are uniquely designed and set in different areas and terrains, from the dessert to icy snow. The mixture keep it fresh and appealing.

The main idea behind each level is to collect up to 4 golden stars. These are obtained by collecting coins and performing stunts, overtakes of other motorists, crashes etc and this also puts up your score which can be shared with the world via Game Center. Coins are placed in very hard to get to areas the further you go through the game, such as on trains tracks which you have to dodge in sequence due to trains coming and totaling your car which loses you a possible star to obtain making it only possible to get three. The cops also play a huge role with constant shoving into your vehicle damaging you and getting you of course from obtaining the stars.

The default controls are really simple to get use to with left and right virtual on screen buttons and that's it. No accelerator, brake etc is required making it very easy to play. Different configurations for the controls are possible with an option to use the accelerometer but this clearly isn't designed to take use of that quite well enough yet. The default controls work flawlessly though!

Graphics are cartoony and makes the whole game work very well. This wouldn't be anywhere near as fun to play if it wasn't for the funky physics and innocent visuals. Buildings, roads, cars etc are all designed in this cartoony way. Crashes and explosions are also consistent. The physics are crazy fun with you being able to just steer into other cars on the road and smash them off a cliff or into a building and then stunts such as jumps are also very over the top.

The audio tracks are well suited and catchy. The sound effects are very cartoony just like the visuals, with big explosions and smashes, o and not to forget constant police sirens.

Awesome graphics, funky audio, great controls, creative level design and epic fun make this an App not to miss this summer.

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Gangstar Rio: City of Saints iPhone and iPad Game Review

Gamelofts Gangstar series is a well known title to iPhone and iPad users. It's Gamelofts answer to the GTA franchise and each iteration of the game has been better and better.

This is the third instalment dubbed as Gangstar Rio: City of Saints. Set across the border from the two games which came before it, this is set in Mexico in the city Rio. Characters and storyline are weak to put it lightly. The plot not to spoil it for you, is far fetched and clichéd. And I wonder whether Gameloft realised this or they thought it was a genuine good plot? If they realised this why didn't they amend it? Many said that Modern Combat 3 had a weak storyline but I actually thought it wasn't to shabby, this is on the far end of the scale to that. A sandbox game like this needs good characters and plot. GTA has always had these things and that's what puts it at the peak of the mountain of the sandbox genre.

But forgetting about the bad plot and characters the amount to see and do in Rio is well worth noting. Buy weapons and clothes from shops. Get your vehicles fixed at garages, visit and purchase buildings to grow your empire. All this is pulled of well. The variety of vehicles has been greatly improved with cars, bikes, mopeds sand buggies, boats, tanks, motorcycles, jet skis, helicopters and planes. The land vehicles handle much more realistically than in previous iterations of the games but planes and helicopters are still a little difficult to manoeuvre. Water vehicles could be better also.

And then we have all the different locations on the map to see but having said that the map isn't as big this time around. We only have one island to play around on but that isn't so bad as Gameloft have nailed the environments probably because they had a lot less to focus on. The beaches, skyscrapers, hills etc are all enjoyable. The city feels a lot more alive and fresh than previous Gangstar games and I think that has a lot to do with the improved AI and array of urban sounds.

Missions are quite varied with some sending you to protect someone, or scare someone, or kill someone, drive to a destination, compete in races etc. All are not that original but many have quite a lot of enjoyment to be found within. My real gripe is the combat system. This is an element which needed much improving and it doesn't feel as if anything has changed. It's so difficult to kill enemies with the auto aim and the camera just feels messy when in the action. Such a shame when combat is such a huge chunk of the gameplay and the sheer amount of weapons from pistols, SMG's, AK47's, sniper rifles, grenades, shotguns, rocket launchers, flame throwers etc is all just wasted because you can't properly use them.

The default controls I found to be easy to use and don't get in the way. The default controls consist of a virtual joystick and a sprint bottom when on foot. When driving you have two virtual pedals, one to brake and one to accelerate and to steer you tilt your device. But you have six different control configurations to choose from if the default don't take your fancy.

Graphically this is quite comparable to the GTA versions released for the PSP (more so with Vice City Stories). The lighting and shadows are much better and more realistic. The model detail on characters, vehicles, buildings, surfaces, water etc has had a lot of attention and hard work put upon. Also the depth of field seems to be improved. Little touches are seen throughout the game and we're not complaining.

The radio stations on offer are quite good. A nice choice of music is offered and some stations adverts etc can be very very funny. And you can play your iTunes music in game via the radio. Sound effects for gun shots, sea, vehicles, peoples voices, walking etc is all very life like.

But I enjoy just exploring, stealing many many vehicles and taking in all there is to see of the city and of course having the cops on my trail too. And I think this is a very important element of a sandbox game, it has to allow you to have fun in the extensive world the developer has created when not engaged in a mission and Gangstar Rio: City of Saints delivered here.

A couple of new editions worth noting this time around is that this game is universal so you can have it on your iPhone, iPod touch and iPad. Also you can play it on your TV via either a cable or via AirPlay. We've only tested with a cable and it works very well.

Overall this is definitely the best instalment in the series but that's not to say improvements aren't needed. In the next version we need to see an improved combat system and more realistic and easier to control sea vehicles, planes and helicopters.

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Modern Combat 3: Fallen Nation iPhone and iPad Game Review

With this being the third instalment in the series Modern Combat 3: Fallen Nation really doesn't underwhelm. It's bigger and better than the two that came before it combined.

You're sent out to fight on American soil for America as it's been invaded and beginning to be taken over by the three evils of the world, North Korea, Pakistan and Russia which are forming the KPR. You eventually bring the fight off American soil as you travel throughout the campaign which packs 13 missions. The undertone of Call of Duty Modern Warfare running through the title is to be honest slightly ridiculous. But hey it works from the AC 130 adventure to guitar riffs at the end of missions.

The campaign took me around 6 hours to complete. Not the longest campaign in the world but it isn't dragged out and each mission is full of action beginning to end. Everything felt polished from the subtle storyline giving the game a purpose to the absolutely amazing graphics. It all helps for an immersive and fun experience.

Missions are varied and a challenge can be found when cranking the difficulty up. Many terrains are featured which keeps it fresh. The variety of weapons with machine guns, pistols, snipers, shotguns and rocket launchers are all quite literally a blast to use.

Now something many will adore is the online multiplayer. I tried it out and was very impressed. You can play with up to 12 players across 6 maps. A ton of different modes can be played with team battle, capture the flag, zone control, bomb disposal and many many more. Perks and guns can be unlocked by purchasing them with in game money which is earned throughout the game but if your impatient you can buy game money with real money. I see my self everyday dipping in and out of the online multiplayer which means this game definitely has replay value.

I think this is worth pointing out to those who like playing Modern Combat on both the iPhone and iPad but don't like having to purchase two separate versions for each device that you will no longer have to. It's now a universal App and we hope Gameloft continue this trend.

The controls are completely customisable. You can drag the virtual buttons to wherever you desire them. You can also adjust the sensitivity of your aim which is controlled by simply swiping your finger on the right hand side of the screen. You can use the gyroscope to also aim but I end up turning it off as I couldn't be bothered. To move you tap anywhere in the left hand side of the screen and an onscreen virtual joystick appears. The controls aren't noticeable and don't interfere with the game which means there done well.

Graphically this is a masterpiece for the iPhone and iPad. It looks like a console title and thats all down to Gameloft's new game engine being put into action. Everything runs with no lag and the sheer amount of detail in the environments is remarkable, reflections, shadows and lighting is all pulled off. The guns are well detailed and even the reloading is realistic. The little touches like when you move your view quickly the screen blurs slightly and bullet holes landing in walls is all appreciated.

The sound effects are all helpful to bring the graphics to life. I really noticed that the voice acting was top notch in this title. The actual sound tracks and riffs etc when levelling up online or finishing a mission are as I wrote earlier very Modern Warfare.

Overall this is by far the best first person shooter to hit the iPhone and iPad. Simple and not interfering controls, good plot, solid amount of weapons, a nice variety of missions alongside a fantastic campaign, great online and breath taking graphics, what isn't here?

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