Metal Gear Solid Mobile
Developer : Konami
Genre : Action
Players : 1
Format : N-Gage
Available at : N-Gage Application Download
Price : RM30

Unless you’ve been living in a cave for the past few years, you would have at least heard of Metal Gear Solid. Metal Gear Solid was THE game that spawned the whole genre of stealth action games that has come to characterize games like Thief, Ghost Recon and even Hitman, games where moving around stealthily is much preferable than going in with guns blazing.

Well it has been about 10 years since the original Metal Gear Solid first came out and now after iteration and sequels on consoles like the PS2, PS3 and PSP, it has finally hit the mobile phone. So does Metal Gear Mobile live up to the solid gameplay its console predecessors have? Well yes it does.

One would think a port from the console to mobile phone would be done rather haphazardly. However that isn’t the case for Metal Gear Solid Mobile. It is pretty obvious that some thought has been put into translating the game for the mobile phone. Take for example the first person view for the game. Konami has nicely integrated the viewing mode for first person view with the camera of the phone. By moving the camera you can effectively move your view in the game.

Play wise, the game is in true Metal Gear Solid tradition and after playing for a good hour, I didn’t even feel I was playing on a mobile phone more than I was playing on a gaming platform. Controls were really easy as well. Aside from using the camera for viewing in first person mode, the rest of the controls were a simplified version of the original PS2 controls.

Graphics were impressive as well and were reminiscent of the original game. Don’t expect much colour though as the game is set in military bases and as such so you’ll be seeing a lot of gray, which isn’t so bad considering the original game was more or less the same in terms of environment.

The only issue with the game is the fact that it is too short, which is a common occurrence I’ve found in most N-Gage games. I managed to complete the whole game in around 2 hours, and that is slow considering you can even finish the game in 45 minutes. Considering the fun I had playing the game, it would have been great if it could have been a bit longer and even with the extra VR missions, that didn’t do much to alleviate my disappointment.
Over all, Metal Gear Solid Mobile is a great N-Gage game albeit a bit short and it really brings back memories of the original game. –Nigel Yap

 

 

 

 

Resident Evil Degeneration

Developer : Capcom
Genre : Action
Players : 1
Format : N-Gage
Available at : N-Gage Application Download
Price : RM30

Now where Metal Gear Solid Mobile relies a bit more on how stealthy you move, the total opposite can be said about Resident Evil Degeneration (RE: Degeneration). I was really chuffed that not only was I able to play one but two console based games on the N-Gage platform so you can imagine that I was hoping for quite a bit out of RE: Degeneration.

Control wise, RE: Degeneration is pretty simple. You move around using the D-pad and aim and shoot using the centre button. Considering that there are a lot of shooting to be done, it’s nice to see that the game has assisted targeting so if you’re aiming at a particular area (or body part) you don’t have to be so accurate to get a clear shot.
The problem with the constant blasting was that after a while, it could get a bit boring. Even with the slight variants in zombie targets, it eventually became a bit tedious though I do know some people wouldn’t really mind at all. As far as being a shooter goes, it does give the relevant amount of gore and adrenaline you’d need in a game like this. The leveling up system allows you to buy and upgrade weapons which is quite similar to that of the original games.
The problem with this is that after a while, a reasonably good player is able to get as much money as he needs to get the best upgrades. This makes the game less challenging in the long run. However once you’re done with the game you can also unlock a mercenary mode giving you more play time with it.

Ultimately, RE: Degeneration is a great shooter for the N-Gage platform. Its replay value in the form of the Mercenaries mode also adds to its value and you’ll find that the RM30 for the game was well spent. –Nigel Yap

 

 

 

 

PHOTO PLAY: Find it! (Free Edition)

Developer : Daniel Sperl
Genre : Games
Players : 1
Format : iPhone/iPod Touch
Available at    : iTunes
Price : Free (USD2.99 for full version)

Introducing PHOTO Play: Find it! Free Edition. As the name suggests, this version of the program is entirely free. The rule of the game is relatively simple. Players are presented with 2 images that seem to be identical at first glance. However, each image differs in four details and it is up to the player to find them in the shortest time possible or before the timer runs out. If the player cannot find the next error, there are also 2 Jokers that can help in the finding process.

The free edition offers players up to 25 different pairs of beautiful pictures with each of these pair having about 200 different errors, randomly chosen per level. So if you encounter the same image again, don’t be too happy that you’ll be breaking the record time as the errors won’t be the same as before. The game is fully optimized to be played on iPhone/iPod touch as the image all turn out to be crystal clear. You can also listen to your iPod and iPhone’s tunes while playing the game as well. Just deactivate the game’s in-music option and that will do.

If you are like me and get seriously addicted to Find it, grab yourself the full version which is about USD2.99. The full version has 369 photos with up to 2700 errors to really strain even the best player’s eyeball. So, what are you guys waiting for? Let’s PHOTO PLAY! –CD

 

 

 

 

Hero of Sparta

Developer : Gameloft
Genre : Games/Action
Players : 1
Format : iPhone/iPod Touch
Available at : iTunes
Price : USD5.99

For action fans out there, Hero of Sparta is a must have. The game operates on iPhone/iPod touch and requires the 2.1 software updates. Hero of Sparta chronicles the adventures of King Argos, a Spartan hero who has mysteriously washed up on Oracle Island. In order to return home, he must complete a journey that is split up into 8 missions, where he has to pick up arms to fight for his survival and the home he longs for. The game features quite a bit of gut spilling action all in a detailed 3D environment which will definitely capture the heart of die hard action fans.

The game controls are quite unique and they involve a touch-sensitive analogue stick situated in the lower left corner. Generally it works okay, but somehow to me it didn’t have the comfort and precision of an actual hardware joystick. In some rare cases, navigation will get stuck in one direction and I would have to lift up my thumb before re-navigating. The virtual attack and block buttons implementation on the other hand was solid. As one advances through the game, Argos can acquire new weapons (sword, axe, bow or twin blades) and attack styles that reward players handsomely. There is also a weapon swapping button on the top left side of the screen just in case one gets bored of massacring their enemy the same old way. There is also a super power gauge on top which can be activated to deliver a devastative blow.

What makes this game special are its graphics, offering players a 360 degree free roaming experience. Combined with iPhone’s superb large LCD, this just makes playing the game even more enjoyable. The only downside of the game is its audio experience. For me, it was forgivable, as the pros outweighed the cons. USD5.99 may be a bit steep but for such a great game, I’m ready to shell out the dough. –CD