As we reported a few weeks back, Apex Designs has been readying an iPhone version of its Grand Theft Auto-like, top-down title Payback for App Store release. A recent post to Apex’s website provides a detailed update concerning the game’s status and indicates that Payback is set to launch worldwide on January 15th (tomorrow).
Apex’s website provides recent screenshots of the game in action.
The original version was released for the Amiga in 2001 to rave reviews and was voted Game of Year in multiple polls. Mac, Intent and GBA versions followed, the GBA version being nominated in both IGN and GameSpot’s “Best of E3 2004" awards.
In 2006, the game received a major overhaul for the powerful GP2X handheld – GamesTM awarded it 91%, describing it as “the best GTA clone you’ve never heard of". The lighting was made fully HDR (the paths of trillions of photons were calculated to produce some of the best looking lighting ever seen in a portable game), the menu system was completely redone, a complete vocal soundtrack was added and many other significant improvements were made. There’s a full report on the changes made for the GP2X version here.
The iPhone/iPod Touch version builds on the strong foundations laid down by the GP2X version by adding an automatic save system, reengineered controls, HUD refinements and further gameplay improvements; read on for the details.
A GP2X demonstration video gives a feel for the gameplay.
We’ve been anxiously awaiting the release of this title and will be providing an in-depth look shortly after the game goes live.
[ via Loot Ninja ]
UPDATE: From the developers:
Unfortunately, a significant bug has come to light in the iPhone/iPod Touch version of Payback. Due to the way the iPhone SDK works we cannot test the final build of the game we send to Apple and the issue in question only occurs in an App Store build. After careful consideration, we have decided to temporarily withdraw the game from sale until an update is ready – hopefully this won’t take long, depending mainly on how long it takes Apple to approve it. No one is more upset about this than we are, and we humbly apologise to those who were waiting on the game and hope you will stick with us as we work to resolve this issue. Please join our Mailing List if you want us to email you when the game is ready.
