'Internal Force' Demonstrates Alternative Shooter Controls
posted by arn on December 22nd, 2008 4:24 PM EST in Shooter, Upcoming Games
Japanese developer Izumi Studio recent posted a gameplay video demonstrating an upcoming game for the iPhone and iPod Touch called Internal Force. We haven't yet seen the game appear in the App Store, but are eager to give it a try.
The gameplay video shows an interesting control method for an otherwise traditional vertical scrolling shooter. The game is played in landscape mode but only uses a portion of the screen for the play area. Meanwhile, a blank touch-area to the left provides precise ship control movements.
As you can see in the video, the developer is able to control the ship accurately with this method:
Some may find this design as offensive as Square Enix's use of a large virtual control pad in Crystal Defenders, but it could prove to be a functional compromise for the right game.
Wow… the game is called Internal Force? ROFL…
Looks like they are copying Centipede's controls, but putting it on a band at the side rather than at the bottom.
I like that control scheme, but it should be ontop of the action like in dropship, not in a clipped out region. Looks like a good shooter, I would pay 3-5 for it.
I disagree, chase. One really needs to see the entire screen in shmups like this, as one wrong move means instant death. I don't mind this set up for shmups on iTouch/Phone…but I wish the action was centered onscreen rather than off more to one side.
I think the problem with Crystal Defenders is that it would be completely suitable for full touch control (like all the other tower defense games).
For a shmup however this looks like the way to go. Having your big fat finger actually on the ship would retard the gameplay. You need to be able to see everything and have very precise, nuanced control.
I agree with Obiter. All the developer needs to do is to make sure that the left hand side does not look plain, put a nice graphics there (spaceship interior, etc) will do.
After playing with Touch Defense, Crystal Defenders just feel weird and unnatural – iPhone game should never have a cursor.
rRootage works fine being controlled with your finger on the play area, it's not hard to keep your finger away from the action.
Bring on Truxton(Tatsujin) and Twin Cobra!
Nothing to brag about. Some iphone's 2D shooters have prove you can use the actual hardware and have great control (S.Deadbeef, Dropship to name a few) and have FULL SCREEN gameplay. This game looks more like an emulator than an iPhone game.
I for one would prefer to see the entire screen as well (and just use the area of your screen with the least action going on). Having a smaller play area just means you see less action the way I see it.