APB: Reloaded Has A Live Action Trailer

Remember a title from a while back that took the media by storm as a massively multiplayer game in the same vein as Grand Theft Auto.  This game was titled: "APB: All Points Bulletin".  Initially this game was released on the PC and the devs where considering a console version.  The game was short lived though due to faults of it's own merits (from gameplay to game modes disappoints were huge).  The game just couldn't deliver what fans and industry watchers had hoped it would.  In short, the game launched in June 2010 and closed down in September 2010.  Yep, short lived alright.

After bouncing around in limbo for a little while, GamersFirst picked it up and it was released by Reloaded Productions.  If you aren't familiar with GamersFirst they are a MMO gaming company that carves their business into the Free-to-Play market of MMO titles.  Titles under their label include: War Rock, Knight Online, Taikodom, Sword 2, and most recently Fallen Earth (out of which I can personally attest that War Rock and Fallen Earth are great games). With this new development in the game's brief lifespan there was hope once more.

The game went into Open Beta in May 2011 under the title: "APB: Reloaded".  One of the big positives this game has going for it is character customization.  This was one of the few things it's original incarnation did right.  And hopefully it will roll over to this version as well.  So with the news that the game is finally making it's way back to life, GamersFirst has rolled out a Live Action Trailer.  Honestly, I love watching these Live Action Trailers.  Sometimes they suck, sometimes they are awesome.  Really it's a crap shoot and one I have no way of being able to predict prior to watching it.  This trailer is pretty unique in that it shows the different character customizations in a live action form.  And it is an interesting trailer (so it definitely doesn't suck).

However, it is not for the faint of heart and should be for mature audiences only as it depicts scenes of graphic violence.  It is kind of ironic that this trailer rolls out so close to the release of 'Saints Row: The Third', don't you think?




If you're interested in checking out the game swing by their website:http://www.gamersfirst.com/apb/?fbid=wmjBHrVWu3DAnd if you'd like to see other games from GamersFirst visit:http://www.gamersfirst.com/

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Review: Shadowgun for Android

Yesterday, MadFinger Games released the much anticipated shooter entitled 'Shadowgun' to the Android Market.  The game itself is powered by the Unity Game Engine and it is indeed very sweet.  For those who aren't familiar with MadFinger Games; they are the team behind games such as Samurai II: Vengeance (and previous 'Samurai' titles), 'Bloody Xmas', and a couple others.  To be completely upfront about it, the game is currently going for $4.99 from the Android Market.  And yes, it is worth every penny.  If nothing else but to see how good this game looks on your device.

For starters, the game is basically a third person perspective, cover based shooter.  Meaning you'll basically navigate your way through each area taking cover behind obstacles and shooting it out against robotic gun turrets and mutant soldiers.  If you have ever played games like 'Gears of War' on the Xbox 360 than you'll be fairly familiar with the cover based concept.

You will assume the roll of John Slade, who works as an intergalactic bounty hunter.  Tasked with the mission of hunting down Dr. Edgar Simon, who apparently went rogue and swiped some genetic samples and decided to buckle down on the planet named 'Eve'.  Obviously in the year 2350 (when the game takes place), bounty hunters go by the title of 'shadowgun'.  Hence the game's name.

The sound is about par with any action-shooter title you have probably played in the past.  With gun shots and explosions being the norm through about every room you work through.  Where the game excels in my book are the controls.  You do have the option to use a game pad.  Honestly, I haven't attempted using a controller yet.  Mostly because the onscreen controls are pretty streamlined and are easy to work with.

Much like other shooter style games on Android devices, the controls are 'ghosted' portions of the screen where the digital control stick appear under your left thumb (for movement), while swiping your right thumb aims the cross hair for your weapon.  Running directly up to an obstacle makes your character automatically use it for cover.

You have four other buttons onscreen:
- In the top left of the screen you have the pause button.
- Top right of the screen is your selected weapon (tap the icon to change weapons).
- On the right side of the screen there are two buttons. One for shooting (which becomes an interaction button near mission critical objects).  The second button is for reloading your weapon of choice.

Overall the controls work pretty well.  The only real issue I have had is getting away from an obstacle when under cover.  The idea is that you simply use your left thumb to navigate away from the obstacle.  But sometimes it doesn't quite work the way you think it should.  But that is the only issue I have had, and it doesn't happen often enough to detract from the experience.

There are three games modes (easy, normal, and hard).  There are also collectible icons you can find when playing through the game that unlocks items in the 'Extras' menu.  These items just appear to be profile cards about the characters in the game.  Which provides for background to flesh out the character stories.

All in all, I have absolutely no complaints about 'Shadowgun'.  It looks great and plays smooth.  I'm having a really hard time believing my eyes that this game is running on a mobile device.  I'm running it on my Acer Iconia a500 tablet, and have had no issues whatsoever.  You can swing by the Android Market on your Android device and see if it's available for you.  But if you're a fan of shooter games, or games that require more attention than some of the puzzle games that tend to fill the market, than this game is for you.

To see my previous post about Shadowgun, and see the game's trailer check out:
Shadowgun on iOS...But not Android...Yet!

Results:
I highly recommend this game for anybody who likes a 'heavier' game for their Android Device.  The game is also available for iOS (which received it's release last month).

Pros: Great controls, looks amazing and is fun to play.  From what I have played so far, the difficulty starts off fairly easy and ramps up as you play.
Cons: Occasionally, I tend to get stuck behind cover.  Fiddling around with the controls eventually gets the player loose.  But this doesn't happen often. (BTW, those spider bombs creepily suck). lol

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

To download 'Shadowgun' to your Android Device, visit the Android Market.  The game retails for $4.99 and requires Android 2.2 and up.
Visit: Android Market- Shadowgun by MadFinger Games

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Android App Review: Gameloft's 9mm

Over the weekend, I jumped on the Gameloft bandwagon and decided to take 9mm for a spin.  I've had some hands on time with it over the latest couple of days.  And I have to say that I am very impressed with the game.  I'm glad we are starting to see some fully fledged games show up on mobile devices.  Granted a lot of these larger mobile games aren't the greatest looking (when compared to console's where these types of games regularly appear).  This game is a third person shooter and has a lot to offer.

However, for a mobile device; the graphics are amazing.  Before I jump into the full review let me go on record to say that 9mm is not a game for kids.  It is full of mature language, drug use, and some other stuff that shouldn't be experienced by children.

I've mentioned Gameloft before, and the fact that a lot of their games tend to gather inspiration from other larger titles.  Whether it be from an artistic perspective with it's design or gameplay that flashes you back to a very similar title.  And 9mm is no different.  In many ways it plays a lot like the Max Payne franchise.  The game sports side jumping in slow motion, bullet time and all.  But it does it extremely well, especially for a mobile game.

Let's start with the graphics.  The graphics are easily some of the best from a game on an Android device, period.  The character models look good ans sharp, the textures are pretty nice for the characters.  Some of the environment textures get a little bland.  Noticeably, the one's outside seem to be a little plain.  While the interiors are littered with torn wallpaper and crap cluttering up the place to give it some atmosphere.  And it works pretty freakin' well.

The sound is pretty good as well.  You get all of the action game fanfare you'd expect from gunfire from all directions to the music in the background.  Once again, the soundtrack can get pretty rough from the language standpoint.  But overall, it's exactly what you'd expect.

Controls is one of the factors that will make or break any game.  Mobile or console, a game has to have good controls.  There is a slight learning curve when first picking up this app.  If you press and hold your thumb on the screen a virtual joystick appears and you move by sliding your left thumb up or down to move forward and back.  And slide your thumb left to right to strafe.  Aiming and looking around can be accomplished one of two ways: using the gyroscope or sliding your right thumb around to aim.

While your aiming and moving, a couple more buttons make some screen time.  You get a small clock icon that activates and deactivates your 'bullet time' or 'slo-mo' camera.  If you tap and slide your thumb either to the right or left of the clock icon you will activate slo-mo time and execute a sideways jump.  While falling aim around the screen to take out bad guys while shooting.  Sounds confusing at first, but trust me you'll pick it up pretty quick.

I do find myself accidentally activating bullet time, but that is due to a wandering thumb.  The other button onscreen is your shoot button.  By default aim-assist is turned on.  I'd recommend leaving it on, without it the game would be near impossible.

The interface is pretty slim and offers only what you need to get around.  Which is nice, no clutter taking up treasured screen real estate.  In the top right corner of the screen you get your weapon indicator which doubles as a weapon selector by sliding the gun icon either left or right to switch guns.  To reload, tap the gun icon of the weapon you currently have equipped.  The bottom of the screen gives you two controls that enable squatting, sprinting, and an 'at-ease' stance after fire fights.

Game content is another place this app shines (except for your characters name, it's a little cheesy).  Okay, you're character's name is really cheesy.  You play as John "Loose" Kannon.  But that is where the goofiness stops.  Kannon is a tough cop in a bad part of town who isn't afraid to get his hands dirty to get the job done. And he is thrust into the middle of a new drug hitting the streets and he will stop and nothing to stop it from happening.  Between fire fights you'll be doing some context based minigames that involve roughing up drug dealers during interrogations and interacting with the environment.

Other features include a multiplayer option as well.  I haven't actually tested it yet.  But I will update as soon as I do.

In review, if you are looking for an awesome game for your mobile device I'd highly recommend 9mm (but only for the mature audiences).  With great graphics and gameplay, you'll not be sorry.  If you have played any of the older Max Payne titles for game consoles, you'll feel right at home here.

Get the Game: Gameloft's 9mm from the Android Market at https://market.android.com/details?id=com.gameloft.android.ANMP.Gloft9MHM&feature=search_result

The app sells for $6.99 (and it's worth every penny)

I'd rate 9mm: 5 out of 5 stars

View the trailer here (mature language ensues): http://youtu.be/wE7RwLR2MdQ






Pro's: Great gameplay and graphics.  And awesome experience for a mobile device.
Con's: The controls can be a little weird at first, but you get used to them after a few minutes.  The game is really targeted towards the older crowd.

Other Thoughts: I'd love to see Gameloft adopt the compatibility that Honeycomb tablets offer to game pads. That would elevate the game experience even more in my opinion.

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9mm for Android by Gameloft

Look for a review of 9mm by Gameloft for Android devices hopefully later today.  I'm in the process of downloading it right now (and it weighs in at a little over 800MB's in download size).  From the best I can tell it appears to be a mix of Grand Theft Auto with what looks to be a little Max Payne thrown in.  Of course since it is developed by Gameloft, it is probably full of "inspirations" from both of these games.

However, for a mobile game it looks pretty awesome.  So stay tuned for a review once I get some hands on time with it!

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