TechCast Reviews – part of the TechCast Network

12th May 2009

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Could anyone have predicted that Apple’s method of distributing applications for the iPhone would be a runaway success? Similar to how it changed the landscape of digital music distribution, the model for distributing third-party apps is now the standard that the rest of the industry tries to copy.

Whilst the system isn’t perfect, it has invoked massive developer interest in the platform from what started out as nothing, to something that is admired by the rest in a very short period of time. That makes it a win-win for us consumers, with games like Terminator – Salvation pushing the boundaries of what’s possible on a multi-functional handheld device.

I’ve spent the last couple of days battling my way through the new Salvation game available from the App Store. Boasting 3D graphics and mini-games, you take on the role of John Connor, leader of the resistance in a war against the machines in a post-apocalyptic world. You play from mission to mission from a 3rd-person perspective, going along and shooting down robots. The storyline supposedly follows some of the action bits from the movie – but since the movie isn’t out yet, I couldn’t tell you how accurate it is. Having played through the game, I couldn’t tell you what exactly happened, since the storyline does jump from location to location with no real strategy, other than to shoot anything and everything that moves.

There’s also mini-games in between some of the missions to help break up the game. Each mini-game makes use of the accelerometer for moving a ball through a maze of circuitry and activating different sections to progress on to the next stage.

The control system is very simple, with a directional pad and fire button located on the left and right portions of the screen. It is a bit tricky at the start to aim, but you get used to it and the semi-automatic aiming helps you get those headshots. A number of weapons are also available in the game as well as unlimited ammo for your main weapon.

With only a few hours of gameplay, don’t look to this title for any kind of decent replay value, the linear storyline limits you to a few plays at the most. Once you complete it, you do get access to a special unlock, and that gives you the ability to play the game again as the T-600 using its automatic machine gun. Whilst the levels are now familiar to you at this point, it’s always interesting to see a Terminator pitted against another Terminator.

The 3D graphics offered by Terminator Salvation are impressive, but it’s a question of whether it’s enough to warrant the purchase. It’s clear that a lot of effort has gone in to getting the in-game artwork looking spangly. There is some decent gameplay and the action is engaging enough to draw you in. Just make sure you got a full charge on your iPod or iPhone, because this one sucks the life right out of it after a couple of hours.

At launch, the game was on sale at £5.99 – pricing it out of the impulse buy category. Although the game came out less than a week ago, I’ve just checked and you can now get the game from the App Store for a more reasonable £3.49.

For more info, check it out at the Apple App Store here (will open up iTunes)