The announcement of GTA: Chinatown Wars for the iPhone was proof, if ever there were any needed, that the time for debating whether or not the iPhone was a bonafidee handheld console was officially over. Irksomely, the original Q4 2009 release window is perilously close to slipping and with no comment forthcoming from Rockstar, it seems very likely that the title will fall back into 2010. Still, gives us something to look forward to in the new year - here’s hoping Rockstar manages to harness the best of the iPhone’s interface options to make it nice and simple to play. Here's the trailer of the DS version to whet your appetite.
Carnivores: Dinosaur Hunter
The trailer for this epic looking dino-themed effort doesn’t give much away, but Ukranian developer, Tatem, has revealed that you will be able to sneak up on the cold blooded prehistoric giants, before offing them with one of six different weapons. Presumably those weapons are going to be devastatingly powerful and based on what looks like an open world environment, Carnivores: Dinosaur Hunter may well offer something that other developers haven’t dared try yet. Definitely one for meat eaters.
The trailer for this epic looking dino-themed effort doesn’t give much away, but Ukranian developer, Tatem, has revealed that you will be able to sneak up on the cold blooded prehistoric giants, before offing them with one of six different weapons. Presumably those weapons are going to be devastatingly powerful and based on what looks like an open world environment, Carnivores: Dinosaur Hunter may well offer something that other developers haven’t dared try yet. Definitely one for meat eaters.
SSX iPhone
After being buried by an avalanche of mediocre imitators, EA’s larger than life snowboarding franchise is well overdue for a comeback. And what better platform than the iPhone to use as a test bed. Not much is known about what sort of form the game will take, but with Shaun White Snow Boarding getting the jump with a release last month, the pace has now been set. The SSX series has always thrived on multiplayer so fingers crossed there will be some decent online modes.
Low Grav Racer 2
An early App Store darling is now set to reappear courtesy of talented Scottish developer, Cobra Mobile. With no release date announced as yet, a 2010 release is pretty much assured. The game has never made any secrets about its love of the excellent Sony Liverpool series, Wipeout, so it will be interesting to see how Cobra Mobile attempts to go head to head with the world’s premier anti-grav racing franchise. We’re expecting more tracks, tarted up visuals, an online mode and maybe even a souped up 3GS version. If you’re reading Cobra Mobile, please, make it so.
After being buried by an avalanche of mediocre imitators, EA’s larger than life snowboarding franchise is well overdue for a comeback. And what better platform than the iPhone to use as a test bed. Not much is known about what sort of form the game will take, but with Shaun White Snow Boarding getting the jump with a release last month, the pace has now been set. The SSX series has always thrived on multiplayer so fingers crossed there will be some decent online modes.
Low Grav Racer 2
An early App Store darling is now set to reappear courtesy of talented Scottish developer, Cobra Mobile. With no release date announced as yet, a 2010 release is pretty much assured. The game has never made any secrets about its love of the excellent Sony Liverpool series, Wipeout, so it will be interesting to see how Cobra Mobile attempts to go head to head with the world’s premier anti-grav racing franchise. We’re expecting more tracks, tarted up visuals, an online mode and maybe even a souped up 3GS version. If you’re reading Cobra Mobile, please, make it so.
Need for Speed: Shift
After the fantastic Need for Speed: Undercover, it’s hard to imagine that the sequel will be anything less than fantastic. Adopting an innovative cockpit view and sporting an updated car roster and HUD, Need for Speed: Shift could well dominate the racing genre on the App Store from early in the new year. Though still thoroughly of the pick up and play variety, Shift is positioning itself as more of a sim type driving experience than its predecessor, so petrol heads can get elbow deep in tuning options between races. There are head to head online races mooted too - the only thing we don’t like is that it isn’t out now.
Sketch Nation Shooter
Now this is a very interesting idea. Sketch Nation Shooter allows you to draw your own characters, which you can then photograph with the iPhone’s camera and play with in the game. The technology that developer Engineous has developed for the title is very impressive and is set to be put to use for a range of different releases throughout 2010, that go beyond the initial shoot-em-up set up. Looks like it could be something very special - here’s hoping the game doesn’t succumb to being a mere tech demo.
After the fantastic Need for Speed: Undercover, it’s hard to imagine that the sequel will be anything less than fantastic. Adopting an innovative cockpit view and sporting an updated car roster and HUD, Need for Speed: Shift could well dominate the racing genre on the App Store from early in the new year. Though still thoroughly of the pick up and play variety, Shift is positioning itself as more of a sim type driving experience than its predecessor, so petrol heads can get elbow deep in tuning options between races. There are head to head online races mooted too - the only thing we don’t like is that it isn’t out now.
Sketch Nation Shooter
Now this is a very interesting idea. Sketch Nation Shooter allows you to draw your own characters, which you can then photograph with the iPhone’s camera and play with in the game. The technology that developer Engineous has developed for the title is very impressive and is set to be put to use for a range of different releases throughout 2010, that go beyond the initial shoot-em-up set up. Looks like it could be something very special - here’s hoping the game doesn’t succumb to being a mere tech demo.
Project: Forgotten Memories
With a razor sharp narrative from promising outsourcing company, Pure Square Go, as well as an engine from Psychoz Interactive that defies all expectations of what is graphically possible on a standard iPhone, Project Forgotten Memories is definitely one to watch for 2010. Plot details are currently scant, but we do know that it is set in a hospital and that the project has attracted talent that has worked on the likes of Far Cry 2 and Killzone 2. Are we excited about this one? Yes. Will we be scared by it? Almost certainly.
With a razor sharp narrative from promising outsourcing company, Pure Square Go, as well as an engine from Psychoz Interactive that defies all expectations of what is graphically possible on a standard iPhone, Project Forgotten Memories is definitely one to watch for 2010. Plot details are currently scant, but we do know that it is set in a hospital and that the project has attracted talent that has worked on the likes of Far Cry 2 and Killzone 2. Are we excited about this one? Yes. Will we be scared by it? Almost certainly.
N.O.V.A.
Though it stringently denies such criticisms, it’s clear that Gameloft isn’t shy about taking cues from the biggest home console franchises for its roster of titles. They say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery however, so if the developers working on N.O.V.A. are as keen on the Halo series as they appear to be, then this FPS is going to be a winner. It’s a graphical powerhouse, even if it is splattered with luminescent toyland hues and heart-stopping set-pieces are promised. There’s a ten mission campaign and an online deathmatch mode already confirmed. Could N.O.V.A. be the title that finally makes FPSgames fun on the iPhone? We’ll have to wait till 2010 to find out.
Though it stringently denies such criticisms, it’s clear that Gameloft isn’t shy about taking cues from the biggest home console franchises for its roster of titles. They say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery however, so if the developers working on N.O.V.A. are as keen on the Halo series as they appear to be, then this FPS is going to be a winner. It’s a graphical powerhouse, even if it is splattered with luminescent toyland hues and heart-stopping set-pieces are promised. There’s a ten mission campaign and an online deathmatch mode already confirmed. Could N.O.V.A. be the title that finally makes FPSgames fun on the iPhone? We’ll have to wait till 2010 to find out.
UPDATE: It seems Gameloft has locked and loaded faster than we thought and NOVA is out now (Dec 17th). First impressions are good and we are working on a review now. Check back later to get the full lowdown on one of the iPhone's most keenly anticipated shooters.
Skies of Glory
Most flight games on the iPhone have been centred around modern aeronautical technology. Indeed, by cutting it’s teeth with the fantastic (and hugely successful) modern dog-fighting title, F.A.S.T., developer SGN is already experienced with the intricacies of the genre. By sticking to the battles, locations and aircraft of World War II, Skies of Glory could do for dogfighting on iPhone what Medal of Honor did for FPS games on the PS2 way back in 2002. The video is certainly impressive and showcases a variety that’s often lacking in this type of game. It should be coming in to land early in 2010 so get your flight jackets at the ready.
Most flight games on the iPhone have been centred around modern aeronautical technology. Indeed, by cutting it’s teeth with the fantastic (and hugely successful) modern dog-fighting title, F.A.S.T., developer SGN is already experienced with the intricacies of the genre. By sticking to the battles, locations and aircraft of World War II, Skies of Glory could do for dogfighting on iPhone what Medal of Honor did for FPS games on the PS2 way back in 2002. The video is certainly impressive and showcases a variety that’s often lacking in this type of game. It should be coming in to land early in 2010 so get your flight jackets at the ready.
Mirror’s Edge
Who wouldn’t want another opportunity to hang out with Faith and her rooftop antics? The iPhone version of the game looks gorgeous, though in order to accommodate the device’s interface, has adopted a new side-scrolling perspective. All that glorious free running is in there though and so long as the controls are kept simple and fluid, there’s no reason why this franchise shouldn’t become a recurring fixture in the iPhone’s revolving door release schedules. One more thing, EA, if you’re reading, do makes sure you don’t go in too high with the price for this one. You can try 2D flash version of this gamehttp://mirrorsedge2d.com
Who wouldn’t want another opportunity to hang out with Faith and her rooftop antics? The iPhone version of the game looks gorgeous, though in order to accommodate the device’s interface, has adopted a new side-scrolling perspective. All that glorious free running is in there though and so long as the controls are kept simple and fluid, there’s no reason why this franchise shouldn’t become a recurring fixture in the iPhone’s revolving door release schedules. One more thing, EA, if you’re reading, do makes sure you don’t go in too high with the price for this one. You can try 2D flash version of this gamehttp://mirrorsedge2d.com
So, those are the games we can't wait to get our hands on in 2010. Rest assured, given that some of the best titles probably haven't even been announced yet, 2010 is going to be a vintage year for iPhone gaming. If there are any titles that you, the readers, can't wait for that are not featured in this list, why not start a discussion below and let us know. In the meantime, the wait for these beauties continues...
