Gameloft's 'Modern Combat: Sandstorm' Raises the Bar of iPhone Gaming
posted by Eli Hodapp on September 3rd, 2009 2:47 AM EDT in $6.99, 4 stars, Action, First Person Shooter, Games, Reviews, iPhone games, iPod touch games
Back when rumblings of the iPhone hadn't even crossed the minds of Apple rumor hounds I rocked various cell phones and always knew Gameloft as "that company with lots of brick breaking games for all kinds of different phones". With the advent of the iPhone, the debut of the App Store, and Gameloft's first entries into said uncharted digital territory, I half expected this mental image of mine to persist. It is amazing to me that in the span of barely over a year Gameloft went from simple solitaire and match three games to providing us with one of the most immersive first person shooter experiences on the iPhone to date.
Modern Combat: Sandstorm [App Store] is by far one of the most impressive gaming experiences I've seen on the App Store, and easily is able to hold its own when compared to the technical accomplishments of other remarkable efforts in pushing the iPhone to its limits like Real Racing, Doom Resurrection, and others. Featuring multiple full motion video cut scenes all of standard Gameloft quality, complete in-game voice overs, impressive AI, top notch graphics, fluid frame rates, and controls that even surprised this skeptic of virtual analog sticks.
The game begins like a lot of console first person shooters where you're put through a "basic training" of sorts that gradually teaches you the different controls, weapons, and techniques of the game while making you feel like you're playing a game instead of a tutorial. The default control scheme works quite well, a virtual joystick is in the bottom corner that controls your movement, and swiping anywhere on the screen controls your view. In the bottom right corner is a button to fire, and whenever you can do context sensitive things like jump off a ledge or toss a grenade back at an enemy another button appears in the bottom center of the screen.
Framing the rest of the screen are buttons that allow you to crouch, zoom in to aim through the sights of your gun, throw grenades, change or reload weapons, and pause the game. Other control options include splitting the screen in half, touching the left side of the screen controls your movement and the right controls your view. Tapping on the right side of the screen also fires. You can also use dual analog sticks, then tap anywhere on the screen to fire. The sensitivity can be tweaked and the Y-axis can be inverted regardless of which option you choose.
If you follow Touch Arcade, you probably know by now that I'm generally not a fan of on-screen virtual controls. They usually feel clunky and often lack the precision required in a lot of games that come with them. It's completely refreshing, and honestly a little surprising how much Gameloft managed to nail the controls of Sandstorm. It's great to just be able to say the game is fun to play without the qualifier "…as best as can be expected with on-screen controls".
Sandstorm features the same generous auto-aiming system that appears in other Gameloft shooters. If this assistance grinds your gears, you will be happy to know that there's an advanced options screen where you can toggle it on and off along with the in-game blood, lefty mode, and screen flip.
The plot of Sandstorm won't be winning any awards for originality, as it's a fairly cookie cutter premise centralized around conflicts in the middle east, evil terrorists, and the trials and tribulations of your military squad as you fight your way through the various bands of enemy combatants standing between you and the various objectives. The story gets the job done, and your squad, complete with total voice-overs for all dialog really adds to the overall immersion of the game.
Official trailer:
One clever thing Gameloft did with voice-overs is the way the mission briefings work. Between each level, you're given an overview of the situation your squad is in, the objectives, and your rules of engagement that are all wonderfully narrated. As you're listening to the briefing of the upcoming mission, the next level is loading behind the scenes. When the narration is finished, you hit next and play the level. These sneaky loading screens make the game feel as if it almost has no load times at all.
The AI in Sandstorm is fairly challenging, with enemies often taking cover, advancing when you take cover, manning nearby stationary machine guns, and even tossing grenades. This really goes a long way in making Sandstorm actually feel like a game where you need to be intelligent about cover and which enemies you shoot first, as opposed to most first person shooters on the iPhone that feel a bit like a shooting gallery where you can basically just run and gun your way through most levels without much risk. If you decide to just run out in to the open, guns-a-blazin' in Sandstorm, you will quickly die.
Gameloft games are rarely very innovative, and Sandstorm is no different. If it came with the Call of Duty brand name plastered on it, you would be hard time knowing it was developed by Gameloft instead of Infinity Ward, makers of the Call of Duty series. Everything is extremely similar from the objective system to the arrow pointing you where to go next to the regenerative health system where all you need to do is seek cover for a few seconds to regain your strength to avoid dying. I don't really think this is a bad thing, because the Call of Duty series consists of excellent games, and Gameloft has really done the series justice in this highly inspired spin-off.
Included in the initial launch version of Sandstorm are 10 levels, and I've been averaging anywhere between 15 to 20 minutes per level as I make my way through the game on normal difficulty. Each level comes with a variety of checkpoints so if you die you never lose too much progress. What is quite confusing to me is that the game apparently only saves your progress as you complete levels. If you're 10 minutes into a mission and have passed multiple checkpoints, quitting the game to take a phone call or answer a text message forces you to start back at the beginning. This seems like a big oversight to me, and I hope that this would be fixed in an update.
Speaking of updates, Gameloft has promised a free future update to add online multiplayer to Sandstorm. We don't have any more details than that currently, but the game does give me some serious Counter-Strike 1.6 vibes. I have no doubt it would makes the dreams of countless gamers come true if the upcoming multiplayer update included squad-based objectives instead of simple deathmatch. After all, they've already practically got the texture and model set required for a fairly accurate reproduction of the Counter-Strike map de_dust in game already!
Hands on gameplay video (on easy, and with multiple takes):
[ Full HD version | Low Bandwidth version ]
Modern Combat: Sandstorm is an excellent game that raises the bar of what is to be expected of future first person shooters on the iPhone, as well as being added to the short list of games with fantastic on-screen controls. The three included difficulty levels should provide a fun experience for first person shooter veterans and newcomers alike, and while I'm not entirely sure how much replay value the game has, there is massive potential in the future multiplayer update.
If you're at all interested in shooters, or are just looking for a great game to flex the muscles of your iPhone, look no further than Modern Combat: Sandstorm.
App Store Link: Modern Combat: Sandstorm, $6.99
TouchArcade Rating:
didn't they say yesterday it's gonna be delayed a few weeks?
Well… AWESOME, I am gonna try it!
One of the very best games I have purchased yet on the iPhone. Controls are fantastic, frame rate on the 3GS is smooth, and most importantly, game play is fun. This is as close to COD or R6 we have!
Of all the games I've played on the iPhone including top notch games such as Real Racing, Hero of Sparta, NFL 2010, etc……this game is by FAR the best and most impressive! No one should hesitate to pick this up. While I was playing this….it got me thinking of the advantage the multitouch controls has over say….a DS or a PSP. It simulates dual stick anologs like your xbox 360 or PS3…to some extent. I wish there was a way to incorporate the shooting and moving at the same time. But I can't image LiveFire…or Killtest to be anything better than this. I tried without the auto aim and it was too challenging haha. So I had to put it back on and just enjoyed the ride. Gameloft is definitely the premiere brand company producing high quality games! Where's Bungie at
Eli, you forgot to mention my favourite control mechanic- that you can hold the fire button then still be able to move your thumb to control aim while still firing, instead of not being able to aim because you are holding the button. This is a fantastic addition to the controls, and makes for easier, more accurate firefights. LOVE this game.
This game looks amazing! Cant wait to dig in to it.
Just look at the movie…. WOW
Only issue I have found so far- you have to do the tutorial level every time you start a new game.
brilliant!! First 'first person shooter' I have really enjoyed playing. The controls are intuitive (i do not play consoles because I hate keypads!) and the graphics are great on my ipod touch (2nd gen).
Been looking out for this for ages and when it wasnt released in Aug was a bit cheesed off! Sooo glad its appeared, downloading as we speak!
I noticed the size of the file its 185mb, ever since Co Pilot came out at over 200+mb I use my laptop to purchase and download the file first then install on my phone.
How are you finding just buying it on the App Store on your phone, or do you guys do the same as me?
It worked fine and didn't take too long
After my last experience with a Gameloft game, I'm waiting to hear from someone who's played this on a Touch.
i got it on a JB itouch 2g with no free space left and it runs smooth like butter
@ maximus808: You can shoot and move/aim at the same time. Hold down the fire button while moving your finger. This way you can aim very well and shoot at the same time.
@JinglesO'Flaherty,
Playing it on my iPod touch 2G (unjailbroken) running 3.0
Works like a charm, absolutely no framerate issues at all, and the game is just fantastic. Do yourself a favor and pick this one up, you won't regret it.
"How are you finding just buying it on the App Store on your phone, or do you guys do the same as me?"
I dl'd it just fine on my 3GS app store. But I have got a few gig spare still on it, so that helps. No issues at all.
If this is what they can do with the old-generation hardware, I'm looking forward to seeing what devs can squeeze out of the 3GS, which is a much more beefy piece of kit.
I always tend to install larger programs via my laptop. Mmm.
Agree with what Dominic White says regarding looking forward to seeing what the devs can squeeze out of the 3GS.
I wonder how long it will be until we start seeing games with 3GS mode or something like that to up the graphic quality and smoothness for some games to take advantage of the improved hardware in the 3GS?
Has Toucharcade tested this on various iDevices? I had problems aplenty w/getting Gangstar to run on my non-JB 3G.
It would be really helpful if Toucharcade mentioned in their reviews what iDevices they tested a game on. I don't really trust the developers to honestly tell me if a game will have issues on previous-gen iPhones…that's why I come here to read about the latest games.
Nice Review – but there are four difficulty levels – no three. The last one needs to be unlocked (do not know how yet).
…BAD CONTROL
Spaceboy:
Bad Control,
Have you tried changing the control methods in the game? I understand there are 3 to choose from?
I love the control method, works very much like Wolfenstein and it works great!
How does this run on a 3G? Not really interested in getting the game, just curious about the level of performance in recent Gameloft games.
That's exactly what I'm wondering.
Again, I think that it would be a really great addition to the site if game reviews listed what versions of iDevice the game was played/tested on.
Works amazingly on my 8gig 3G with a little over 300megs freespace.
what about the f**** moral of the game?
Sigh. On every Shooter Thread some Dickhead have to ask for the Moral instead of just enjoying it. If you wana have a Moral, just join the Army and do something for it. Posting your s**t here won't hold anyone back from buying this Game.
I too remember Gameloft from my non-iPhone days, but their games were anything but simple brick-breaker clones…. they were producing tons of top mobile content, like the *Nights series, Gangstar, Assasin's Creed, Brothers In Arms, KO Legends, etc.
Most of their iPhone games are re-workings of their earlier cell phone games.
I'm impressed with the graphics but is there any challenge in this game? In the video it just looks like you run straight at people even if they are shooting straight at you. How many bullets can you take before you die? Do you actually need to hide or have a strategy?
You can turn Aim Assist off, it makes the game way harder but much better in my opinion.
I hope gameloft thinks about this for multiplayer.
1. Allow you to join games in which only people with aim assist off can play.
2. Provide some sort of jailbreak app which allows you to use the volume up button to shoot and the volume down button to zoom in out or throw a grenade. This would open up the screen so that you can aim a little easier without accidentally shooting.
Thanks Gameloft, you guys are really pushing the bar.
@robman84:
Keep in mind that the hands-on gameplay video posted above is being played on easy difficulty. It's definitely much more of a challenge the higher you go. Running and gunning your way through the game won't work on the higher difficulties. Still, it's a mobile game so you can't expect the difficulty of say a PS3 or Xbox 360 FPS.
Since I've started a post answering a question, mine as well leave my feedback and thoughts…
Is this the best FPS shooter for the iPhone? Absolutely! Am I just too spoiled by console FPS' to REALLY enjoy any of these type games on the iPhone? Unfortunately. The review above obviously nailed it. Gameloft didn't reinvent the wheel here, by any means. But they sure did make everything work just right. I do love the game, don't get me wrong. I just don't think I'll ever be completely satisfied with FPS' on the iPhone, especially when I can play Modern Warfare on my PS3. Maybe if a company would come out with some sort of control peripheral, it might help me appreciate these games more. As great as Gameloft made the controls for this game, the touchscreen will just never compare to a real controller with dual analog sticks
And I'm too spoiled by PC FPS's to enjoy them on a console. But I'm trying
.
Playing with a joystick is less than ideal too, but people have obviously adapted, same thing will happen with virtual joysticks on the iDevice.
I too enjoy FPS on consoles and the pc but carrying these in my back pocket and pulling them out in a architectural history lecture ive heard for the tenth time becomes a bit of a hassle… the speaker usually sees them sitting on my lap and also the cables plugged into his once projector machine
will buy when multiplayer has been implemented
I too won't bother buying this till Multiplayer comes out.
I know this game is getting great reviews, but I've been playing it and it looks like its based on the same engine as Terminator Salvation, but with Modern Combat being a lot more refined and less clunky
I might buy it…
But I promised to myself few years ago to avoid and ignore anything and everything that includes 'terrorist' word, theme, subject or what not…
I had enough of all the 'terrorist' bullshit for the rest of my life… last thing I need is GAME that feeds me with the same stuff that everyday media is trying to do.
If it didn't involve terrorists I would have bought it already – like this I might never do… out frekn principal!
:p
i am hesitant to buy a game from these guys after the gangstar debacle.
i don't want to get another game and have it freeze every 5 seconds.
@-=XX=-Nephilim and all those complaining about the scenario/moral of the game:
If you're to play a First person shooter, which is obviously based on shooting others from the ego perspective, you'll have to shoot someone sooner or later!
So who are you supposed to shoot at? Let's see…
Germans = WW2 games…shooting nazis…old weapons…burned out scenario
Japanese = Still WW2…though a little more refreshing
Africans = discriminating…likein BHD…you'll still be shooting terrorists = moral issue
French/Spanish/Mexicans = why bother shooting them X-D
Russians = Communism is so out…or it'd be a WW2 scenario…again
Jews = no chance of being published/worst publicity a company could get
Americans = Hell no…at least not in a war scenario…rather like on gangstar
Aliens = Halo on iPhone? Bring it on! Still no way it could be a realistic war simulation
So…it just leaves us the glory middle east. Where faceless terrorist a being breed and sent out to destroy the western world (sarcasm).
Still nowadays it's the most realistic scenario, as there are actually people in the middle east fighting, killing and being killed every day.
Anyhow, Modern Combat:Sandstorm is such a great game…I haven't seen anything like that before.
The scenario as such is fictional…and if you blur out the real world, realizing that this is still JUST A GAME, you get to enjoy a beautiful game with almost perfect mechanics.
The controls work like a charm, the game runs (mostly) fluent on my first gen iPhone, way better than I had expected and I just love the scripted events, when the enemy kicks over a table, taking cover. Or when they're just standing aroung chatting…awesome.
I used to play Counter Strike Source on PC…and I always loved one shot kills and headshots as well as the precision of the aiming mechanisms. Who would have thought an iPhone could possibly get close to that…but it did.
Long story short…forget anything negative about this game!
It kicks a*s!!! Go buy it, or wait until it's cheaper and with multiplayer…but for and FPSs' sake…buy it then!
This game is anticlimactic for me… yes it's a great game, and i'm not too far into it, but the graphics just aren't as good as they could have been. The people's faces look horrible, and the menu performance is sluggish when loading the level…
Yes it's a 4 or 5 star game compared to what's out there NOW, but I'm just not impressed.. it will keep me busy and appears to be fun, but it's not impressive like some may say.
Like Jaxx said earlier, it looks like it's based off of Terminator Salvation… although that game looked like it had better graphics.
Oh one more thing.. the controls are fantastic, but it's so stupid to have the zoom button and crouch in the bottom corners.. maybe because i'm not some little kid, but they're kind of hard to reach, especially if you're trying to shoot someone!
wegmans: I would say that the crouch and aim buttons are ok but I find that im pressing the fire button when im looking around alot! But not a major problem.
Still its a great game and lets hope other publishers take note and start producing "premium" quality games.
Appears that gameloft have put in alot of work in this one.
Good stuff!
I am stuck at the end of the second level, it says "Clear the area", I killed all of the bad guys, walked up to the green arrow and nothing happens. I've been walking all over the room and there are no other exits or any sort of button to open a door. Any body else having this problem? I am playing on a 32GB 3GS
Really enjoyed playing this game. Much more than Gangstar, which I thought was poor gameplay wise. From a technical point of view, this is pretty superb. Graphics are solid.
This game has some really questionable politics though. I've been trying hard to ignore them, but the mission brief of Mission 9 is the worst. Something like, "Try to find a nuclear weapon the terrorists are planning to use on American civilians." There is an obvious strong pro-American anti-terrorism theme that runs through this game that slightly tampers my experience with it.
For Christs sake Adrian.
What's the scenario supposed to be? 'The Terrorists are planning on using the nuclear warhead to PRODUCE ELECTRICITY! STOP THEM NOW!!!'
Is this game even MADE by Americans? I was under the impression Gameloft was a European company*, so I doubt they give a toss about American politics.
*Could be wrong.
Yeah…I am also having the same problem at the end of the second level – I clear the area of all baddies, go to where the green arrow points…and nothing! Help anybody?
Same problem. Restared the game and it worked. But now I'm having it on the 6th level. Big huge arrow, and nothing happens.
Why doesn't anyone mention the poor audio in Gameloft games? While visually stunning, the sound design has always been very poor in their games.
Guns sound like peashooters, background noise is paper-thin and sounds like communication poles crashing down are so tacked on they pull you from your immersion.
Step up the audio, Gameloft! Then your games would be perfect.
my mum wont let me buy it =(
on mission 5…I get stuck at "make your way to the vale" anobody familar with this????…. I have killed all the soldiers and there is this green arrow…and when I go there, nothing happens….
when u get to that arrow…shake ur iphone/pod really FAST…till u hear a "CLINK" then it'll go to next level.
i got the same problem but i quit and restarted the mission and it was ok
Arrow points to the way put, you have to go down stairs to get out,work your way down 2 sets of stairs to get to the courtyard.
This iis the best game…I love my google phone. YAY!
Downloading it right now!
I choose u pikachu
i like the playability of the game
but the politics just doesnt hang with me
Americans killing Arabs
i prefer it the other way round
i tried shooting the American soldiers …but it doesnt have it
The best iPoT/iPhone game ever
Btw .. if you can't make it to the valve, quit and restart the game or just start over the level.
Honestly im going for vic's idea.. i wanna shot tha got damn Americans ! They have tried to take down my country in several years.. those white bitches !
Btw im from Somalia.
Hey guys, this is ZeroRocks. BTW, My GameloftLive name is ZeroRocks. But I want you to come join my clan http://xat.com/SmashFollowerz. It's a place where you can play ModernCombat: SandStorm with people. Please go there and thankyou. We dont play just play that. Any game you can think of play. Please come and I hope to see you there.
This game was a very enjoyable game. However, the "Arabs are terrorists" theme really degrades the experience. The antagonist of the game (Abu Baha) constantly calls you an infidel, the enemies speak gibberish, it's not real Arabic, matrydom is associated with Arabs in this game, etc. I give this game a 6.5/10. I would've given it a 8/10, but as I mentioned, the anti-Arab theme really killed it. GameLoft should've at least let us play a level as the enemy, to see it from their perspective, but apparently, an all-American Marine is all they give you.