Cert: 9
Platform: IoS - Iphone, Ipod, Ipad
Genre: Action Roleplay
Out now on the iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad near you is without question the most visually impressive handheld game to date. This is a game which will make even non-gamers gape in disbelief that something so stunning can be played on your phone. In terms of gameplay, however, Infinity Blade's quality is less than unanimous. While critically praised and adored by many, it has also attracted criticism for being overly shallow and even has been accused of barely being a game. Which side you take in this argument will largely come down to what you expect from this prior to playing.
To be honest, having not played the previous entry, I didn't really follow most of the plot but I don't think that is much of an issue. This is a sword and fantasy game where a hero encounters a succession of duels, how much motivation and backstory do you really need? Controls are simple and quickly explained in the initial fights. As an enemy attacks you can either block with your shield, dodge left or right or parry the attack with your own weapon by swiping your finger towards the attack. After successfully defending, dodging or parrying an opening will emerge and you can attack by repeatedly slashing your opponent.
That effectively is the entire game. Yes, there are magical attacks, some special moves and new equipment but for the most part all the action is figuring out the enemies attack pattern and responding accordingly. Between each duel the player and can look around the surrounding area, not only to take in the beautiful scenery but to check for hidden treasures. In some ways it reminded me of a Professor Layton game only with fiendish puzzles being replaced by arcade style fighting. The major problem with this comparison is that Layton has sucked me in for hours with its diverse puzzles while I could only play this for about 15-20 minute before it started getting tedious.
This though is not the criticism it may sound to be. If you are looking for a portable Skyrim ... look elsewhere. This is not a game to keep you engrossed for hours, this is a game for short bursts perfect for journeys like a bus trip to work. When played with this attitude, Infinity Blade is an enjoyable experience although only for those who don't mind strangers staring over their shoulders to see what looks so good. Reinforcing my view that the game works best on the bus is that it plays better on the smaller screen of the iPhone / iPod than iPad. While I appreciated the bigger screen for the visuals, I found the buttons for dodging and blocking too far part to be played comfortably.
Not a game for a long haul flight but if you want some hacking and slashing between reading your Facebook and Twitter on your morning commute, definitely give this game a look.
Rent or Buy: Download Only
Graphics: 5/5
Gameplay: 4/5
Repeat Value: 2/5
Overall: 4/5
Reviwed by: JP Gallagher
