Review: N.O.V.A
Game: N.O.V.A
Format: iPhone/iPod Touch
Developer: Gameloft
Publisher: Gameloft
Gameloft are one of the biggest developer/publishers on iPhone/iPod (that’s the last time I’ll mention the iSiblings real names as I hate writing them like that). They’re closing a lot of big deals to remake classics and port established series onto the mobile platform as well as creating a lot of brand new games, even if some of their ‘original’ games aren’t very original. With so many high quality titles being churned out recently, we at Newb Review thought we’d give you the low down, so look out for more coming up over the next couple of weeks. Let’s start with the best.
I’ve tried my thumbs at a couple of demo’s of first person shooters (FPS) on the iConsole and I haven’t been convinced by the controls, mainly due to the lack of dual analogue. It’s a big leap when you’re so used to having that all so familiar controller gripped firmly but lovingly in your hands. So, at first, N.O.V.A wasn’t on my wish-list but I kept hearing this faint, croaking voice whispering in my ear; “give it a chance… go on, you know you want to”, “if you don’t buy it puppies will die” etc, etc. So after booking an appointment with a head doctor, I got on the app store to save the puppies.
Stay close, do exactly as I say... get ready... GET IT!
To begin, I was quite put off by the lack of ability to invert the y-axis. I always play inverted - that’s just how I roll. Trying to switch back after so many years was extremely hard on my troubled brain. However, due to the touch screen control method, I found a totally new way to control the game that didn’t wreck my grey matter. Instead of using my right thumb to point at enemies and shoot, I used my right forefinger, while holding the iHandheldgamingplatform in my left hand. This made my brain happier as it’s apparently only my thumb that works inverted. After getting past this hurdle I reintroduced myself to the satisfyingly tight control system. The aim assist is a God send due to the iDevice not really being the best equipped for handling finer FPS control. Luckily aim assist works a charm.
There are 3 different options for control including analogue sticks and the option to centre analogue control wherever you touch on the screen. By that I mean if you touch anywhere on the left side of the screen then swipe left/right/up/down and you will move in that direction (up and down being forward and back) and similarly on the right side for aiming. There’s also the option to customize the placement of the HUD, as well as the analogue sticks, shoot button, shield indicator and just about everything else. As I previously stated the only thing missing from the aim controls is inverted aim. The default turning speed is also a little slow but that can be cranked up.
Gameplay will be highly familiar to anyone who’s played an FPS shooter since the N64 days. The selection of weapons is pretty standard; with an unlimited ammo handgun that isn’t as weak as you might think, a nicely precise automatic rifle, which was a gift from Master Chief and a shotgun that teaches a wide spread of aliens about pain. Other weapons include a launcher of rockets that makes things go boom, a sniper rifle with adjustable zoom that sweetly blows the crap out of whatever is caught in your sights and a delightful plasma gun later on in the game.
You’ll also get the chance to use turrets, which provide a welcome break in gameplay. Players might find that jumping on the turret is a little strange at first, as suddenly their left thumb is expected to control aiming and right simply to hold shoot. I found it much easier to use solely my right hand, shooting with my 2nd finger and leaving my 1st to control aiming as usual.
I realise now that my expectations of gameplay were really quite low prior to starting. I foresaw continuous room and corridor walking with basic shoot-kill mechanics. This isn’t the case, as their are other things to do; the environments are well designed for taking cover and flanking enemies and it never gets boring.
Stand out moments include when large brute aliens pick you up, forcing you to draw your handgun to shoot him in the face as quickly as possible. He then ’puts you down gently’ because of the holes you make in his brain.
I almost forgot to mention that there’s also the ability to momentarily paralyze an enemy with an energy burst, but this uses a bit of your regenerating shield energy and I’ve never really found it useful. I’d have much preferred the addition of a melee attack.
...I'm a legal Alien, I'm an Englishman in New Yo... Wait, where the hell am I?
One of the first things you’ll notice about the game is how good it looks… You shallow bastards. But hey, that’s the first thing you see! You start the game in a dead ship floating in space but this is only the beginning. I seriously didn’t expect the amount of variation that I found in the locations. The forest level is outstanding, with many little effects done to simulate more complicated lighting and textures and some great level design.
You’ll also have the opportunity to trudge through thick snowy mountains and to visit an alien city. Sadly, it’s not a very tourist friendly city; I would have loved to have picked up an “I Love (alien city)” t-shirt, but unfortunately I had to massacre the residents instead. This is by far the most impressive looking game I’ve played on the iMachine with a smooth as galaxy chocolate framerate, some colourful environments and lots of great textures, as well as some good character models and animations (even if there isn’t much variation in enemies). I never knew the iThingymajig could do so much.
Shiny
There is an online/local multiplayer mode and I’ve had a go, but not in any great depth. The 5 levels vary from small platform based maps to large arenas with portals and most have hoppers to shoot you off into the air, Halo style. The maximum number of players is 4, with the host deciding the frag or time limit.
It’s a pretty smooth experience considering the platform but I did experience some lag. From what I played the multiplayer could be something that would be quite fun and challenging online, and I’m sure you’d have a great time if you could manage to get 4 friends together with N.O.V.A.
The campaign story isn’t really worth talking about and voice acting is cheap ice cream (stiff and cold), but these anything to really focus on. We are talking about a £4 handheld game here, not a £40 blockbuster, so I wouldn’t expect too much.
Gameplay is king in this title. It should probably also be said that the design is an obvious knock-off of Halo. However, the total package is far from a cheap or lazy copy. There has been a tremendous effort made to produce the high quality game that currently seems to be the top FPS of the iVerse. Forgiving the lack of originality, you will go on to see that there is a lot of fun to be had and this actually is a unique experience in the iPlace.
You're ruining my Christmas!!!
There really aren’t many games out there that can compete with N.O.V.A in terms of gameplay, scope and polish. It’s a must have for anyone looking to do some real gaming on their iGadget. For the inevitable (hopefully) sequel, it would be nice to see some more varied enemies, more interesting weapons, a melee attack for close quarters combat, and the ability to invert the y-axis. But well done with this one Gameloft. AAA stuff.
Review Round Up
GRAPHICS: 3/5
Literally amazed me. Strong textures, nice effects and some tricksy work to simulate more modern lighting effects. The silky smooth framerate allows the gorgeous and varied environments to shine.
SOUND: 4/5
A cross between the Metroid Prime series on Gamecube/Wii and Halo. Perhaps a little too inspired by them, but if you’re going to copy, you copy something good. The moody music is complimented by satisfying sounds.
GAMEPLAY: 5/5
This is the big one. Can an FPS work well with just a screen? It turns out it can, if you’re clever. Your vision will be obscurred by your digits, the fine control isn’t 100% and you will have to pick up your thumb to reposition regularly, but it still works and it is good. The gameplay is varied, control is suitably tight and customizable. The bottom line is… it’s fun.
LONGEVITY: 4/5
For an iGame and a first person shooter it’s just about right at 3-5 hours. The multiplayer will extend playing time for some, but I’ll stick to replaying the campaign mode.
OVERALL: 5 generic, smoky voiced, helmet wearing, space marines out of 5.
A true AAA title for the iPhone/iPod Touch. The only question left is, when is the sequel coming out?
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