That's just not true. On Touch Arcade, perhaps. The community as a whole, no. There's no interest around here in $20 games. The Simpsons Freemium game received so many downloads that it literally crashed EA's servers. That's all you need to know about the AppStore marketplace. And if you don't believe it, just read the iTunes reviews on most games, just for giggles. You'll see what I mean. The market is supplying exactly what the consumer base wants. If you're looking for premium gaming, you have come to the wrong place.
I have been lurking in the shadows on the forums for a long time. I rarely speak on the games here. But i can asure you that i bought the game last night, and it is great. I doesn't feel like Epoch, it makes sense they way the did the controls. In later levels the game gets challenging. The AI gets very smart. Worth 6.99 IMO. I haven't been able to stop playing.
I think a few tweaks here and there could make this quite a bit better. I don't really think this is a rush job. I just think that Iron Monkey wanted to try something different with the controls. I admire the effort not to go with the standard TPS controls, but it certainly needs some tightening up. Even though EA has rightfully angered many iOS gamers, I get the impression that Iron Monkey is truly interested in making a quality product. Dead Space did get some pretty decent updates, and I'm hopeful that after some of the constructive feedback (as opposed to hyperbolic "reviews" from some sites) given, that updates to controls, AI, etc. may be forthcoming.
With about 100 million iOS devices out there in dozens of countries, there's more than one market in the App Store. I think the idea that iOS gaming needs to evolve to be more like console gaming is misguided (and perhaps a bit foolish). But that doesn't mean that the only games that succeed here are freemium time-wasters. As I mentioned in the PS Vita thread, last week I bought a Vita and about $100 worth of games. As far as I'm concerned, the most immersive, moving, and satisfying title I bought that week was actually Incoboto ($2.99 in the App Store). High production values doesn't always make for the best gaming experience (and in the case of Uncharted: Golden Abyss they serve to mask a thoroughly mediocre game). I'm glad to see that some folks are enjoying ME:I. I'll give it another try to see if it clicks with me. To me the biggest failure here is one of storytelling. In DS you play as a patsy who has been betrayed by those he trusted and unwitting unleashed a major catastrophe. You are fighting horrifying creatures bent on your destruction. Your character is clearly delineated, with clear motivation and sharply defined objectives. In ME:I I have no idea who I'm playing or why he's doing what he's doing. It makes the game feel shallow and slight, regardless of how many customization options we have. It also makes the whole paragon/renegade mechanic pretty much pointless.
I was initially paralyzed by the STP review, but after seeing everyone's thoughts and impressions in this thread, I went ahead and bought it since I'm a huge Mass Effect fanboy anyways. There's a reason why I stopped reading STP a long time ago.
No, that review is nerd-bait 100%. It's not as good as Dead Space but it's still a top notch iOs shooter. The main ding for me is the atmosphere just isn't as thick as it was in DS, but it's still a fantastic game. That "review" is really pathetic, the "horrendous" voice acting just happens to be the same guy that did JC FUGGIN DENTON for christs sake. Even if you dislike his delivery (it's pure Deus Ex gold for me) to call it the "worst voice acting in an iOS game to date" is really telling. That is such a large bite of hyperbole it's hard to swallow quite frankly. I mean, we've all played Gameloft games before right? Those games have voice acting that makes some of the "indie" releases look down right pro. To say JC DENTON is the worst in the entirety of the app store? That right there is grade A hoopla designed to get hits for your site.
FWIW the lead developer talks a bit about story, motivations, etc. in this article at PG: http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/Multiformat/Mass+Effect+Infiltrator/news.asp?c=38560
Who, I'm sure you are aware, received quite a lot of criticism for his role as JC Denton back then, and who was never, by some reviewers, considered an even minor contributor to the game's success? Some even credit him (over Master Chief and the rest) with launching the vocal aspect of the latest iteration of the dreadful tradition of hoarse, close-mouthed, taciturn, sometimes even surly hard-as-nails protagonists with little personality and individual desires, emotions, or believable reactions But yeah, I would certainly not call it even close to the worst examples of iOS voice acting. In comparison to Dead Space, however (which is a comparison those monkey guys will have to face time and time again in the coming months ), both the main protagonist and the supporting characters pale, just like the metaplot and narrative do. EDIT: In the review sizzlakalonji posted above, the dev mentions that they decided to simplify and streamline the controls and aiming systems due to feedback from those who found it hard to aim in Dead Space. Understandable from a developer viewpoint, and the new system does seem to have its merits, but also a shame for those of us who prefer as many and deeply manual mechanics as possible...
Well it's obvious your into gaming, which is a good thing.... but regarding my original post. No need to question my enthusiasm for gaming. Not everybody just pushes the buy button. I could care less about price, 7 bucks is really nothing for a good quality game. Some people inquire about the value of the game... but for you to take low blows and call people cheap,whining, or call it stupidity for questioning the purchase of this game is not cool. I'm actually kinda glad I haven't bought this yet because it's received mediocre reviews. I'm not talking about you, but many people want to believe this is going to be a great game because it is part of their beloved franchise, Mass effect. Sometimes the port is not always as good or turns out to be a poor version of the real game.
The voice acting in DX1 was lauded in its time. You do realize that all those attributes lead back to the hard sci-fi genre stylings of the game rather than simply his delivery. This same approach to character can be found in many of the classic books the game series emulates. I also (and many others) would be VERY happy if most modern games took their inspiration from DeusEx, sadly they do not. The mono-slyabic characters in today's games are hardly JC Denton, while his delivery is monotone (purposely) the content is sooooooo much more impressive compared to the bro-tastic games of today. But I digress, the more I play ME:I the more I enjoy it. Its just too bad their first game was so very good that now everything else will be slayed for not meeting the same bar.
CNET's review is very similar to SlideToPlay's: http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-31747_7-57391504-243/mass-effect-infiltrator-hands-on-ios-gets-its-taste-of-the-trilogy/
I'd have to disagree. It certainly isn't a glowing review, but it's not the bashing that STP gave it. Actually, Kotaku was a more negative review than this. I certainly don't think the game is great, but I wouldn't call it horrible either. It seems that this isn't going to get much love, but hopefully some updates will help out.
I bought, installed and would like to try this one, problem is, also got Mass Effect 3 today and it won't let me
I think you might have misread my post. The framework for the JC Denton archetype is nearly as old as fiction. Few would contend that point. What Anthony Franke is commonly believed to have helped initiate is the vocal trend that accompanied a persistent wave of protagonists with the personal disposition I detailed in my last post (hence "launching the vocal aspect of the latest iteration of the dreadful tradition"). The characters of today's games that harken back to this tradition might not have one tenth of the content that surrounded, supported and substantiated the JC Denton persona, as you point out, but the vocal work is very similar, and inspired by, and very similar in tone and style and what little quality that can be assessed in something as subjective as voice acting. To reiterate and simplify: I was referring to the vocal work of Jay Anthony Franke, not ANY aspects of the fictional JC Denton character And that vocal work was not only lauded, but often criticized.
Game is just fine ...I mean there's a lot worst to moan about...controls are different but work...actually I credit the dev team for incorporating a new flair into ios 3rd person shooters... Now....getting off topic with the champ who posted the pic of all his toys to make the "I pay for games" statement. You aren't the only one with all those systems man..so the pic really just made you look more like you wanted to shine.. ...BUT you wanna know the saddest part about that post...Not the fact that in real life nobody ever has enough time play all those games and systems the way they should be played BUT..... U actually bought nintendogs! ..... (hiding in the upper left!)........hope u just raided your sis or daughters game box to beef up the pic...!
