Last week we pointed to Gameloft’s rather theatrical trailer for their upcoming 3D God of War-style iPhone game, Hero of Sparta. It certainly got our attention but revealed little of just how the game would look and play on the iPhone.
Pocket Gamer recently had the opportunity to spend some time with a preview version of the game and, by their account, we’re in for quite a Christmas present this December.
It is stunning.
The cinematic trailer was released last week, but we sat down with product manager Helene Queriault in Gameloft HQ to get hands-on with the game.
It’s set, as you’d guess, in ancient Sparta, with you playing a hero who starts out in a pretty confused state. “You wake up one day on the beach, you don’t know who you are, where you are, or what will happen," says Queriault. “The game is all about finding these things out."
The obvious comparison on iPhone is Kroll, which has a similar setting. But the two main criticisms of that game were the way it was side-scrolling rather than fully 3D movement, and its relatively short length. Hero of Sparta tackles both of those issues head-on.
So, it’s a fully 3D game, in terms of graphics AND movement. You control your character with a virtual analogue stick at the bottom left of the screen–not a four-way D-pad, note–with two more buttons at the bottom right for attacking and defending.
What’s more, the game features complex Mortal Kombat-like fataility attacks.
When an enemy is seriously wounded, a little blue button pops up, and if you tap it then tap a couple more buttons that appear on-screen, you execute, well, an execution move.
We liked the one where you clamber onto a minotaur’s head and spike him through the snout.
We’re quite eager to get our hands on this seemingly groundbreaking title that should go a long way to narrow the gap between iPhone and PSP gaming. Stay tuned for a full review when Hero of Sparta hits the App Store.
See additional screenshots in the Pocket Gamer story.
