Game Review – 007 Quantum of Solace
Tue 28 Apr 2009Filed Under: Game Reviews | Leave a Comment
  NAME: James Bond 007 Quantum of Solace VERSION: 1.0. COMPANY: Glu & Sony Pictures PLATFORM: JAVA GENRE: Movie platformer SIZE: KB TEST PHONE: Nokia 6500 RATING: 6/10 DEMO: |
Welcome to the Quantum of Solace mobile game review. It’s game based on the movie and hence follows the story line.
Gameplay is standard side scrolling platformer. Its not much different from lots of other games like Indianan Jones, Batman and Hellboy. Gun reloading and switching to fists take more time than necessary but clearly designed to. Controls are precise but have enough leeway for key errors. Most of the time characters move backwards especially when shot and disappear of screen but still firing away at you. Overall quite good.
Game speed is very good considering the often relatively slow 6500 test phone. As a result it’s one of the hardest games – in terms of difficulty to play.
Graphics especially the menus are very nicely done and Hi-Def. The characters are vaguely 3D but lacking detail and the background scenery are not photo quality but perfectly acceptable. We like the animated NPCs – mainly the birds which fly out of the way as you approach. The quality reminds me of the Lost game released a few years ago.
In terms of sounds it is typical and repetitive. We like the new take on the 007 theme song – for the first few times…
The game chapters are a good length – so 5 minute play intervals are nice when on a train.
Unfortunately it does not match our new benchmark game – Watchmen which has noticeably better graphics, better action and definitely more enjoyable.
Game Review – Tom Clancy’s – HWAX
Mon 20 Apr 2009Filed Under: Game Reviews | Leave a Comment
NAME: Tom Clancy’s HWAX |
Welcome to the Tom Clancy’s HWAX mobile game review. Branded by a successful writer who penned the books to the game’s back story you would expect a decent effort. More so the console versions where well received but that does not always translate to the mobile phone versions.
The storyline is the same – you play David Crenshaw and elite pilot whose services are for sale. It basically means you’re flying you plane in a 1942 like game environment shooting down various enemies and other flying bosses. Complete each chapter and you’re rewarded with more of the the story.
The gameplay involves the use of the regular phone navigation keys so it works quite well. Flying about on the screen avoiding over sized bullets and their various patterns all works well but sometimes not perfectly. There seems to be a slight response issue – could be due to the phone itself..
Graphics wise the most impressive part in the game menus. Excellent work on the aircraft inspired options. Unfortunately the in game graphics are not so impressive. The planes and backgrounds are done nicely but not in the same league. Surely they can make them better. Why did they try to make it realistic as opposed to a more ‘cartoon’ like background which would probably work much better?
Sound is typical as with all mobile games, a nice title track in MIDI and various sound SFX but gets repetitive after 30 minutes or so.
There are a few planet based air-warfare based games and in terms of the ones we’ve tired it’s essentially a tie for all. None standout – but when comparing to others of similar but space or other world themed games you’ll find greater joy eg. Star Wars or Centipede.
Conclusion: HWAX is a good game. Worth a play if you’ve got nothing better to do. It’s not a remake of 1942 with updated planes since HWAX does NOT have the outrageous but enjoyable powerup system. Put in prospective the previously reviewed Centipede remake was more enjoyable.