SHADOWGUN (by MADFINGER Games)

[PureSkill]

Originally Posted by Madman100

As far as I know, that review was composed of ranting about every detail you found particularly unpleasing. I think I saw a whopping three sentences exposing what Madfinger has done well in this game. Apart from the basic feel, ShadowGun puts a console like game in my hands. As for your question you want answered so desperately.. Take away the graphics, what do you have? A basic, strategical, cover-based TPS. Besides whatever people say, played one hard mode it does require timing, precision, quick thinking and fast reactions to have a perfect run. Anyways, I think basic would have been a more appropriate word than "garbage".

Originally Posted by phattestfatty

@hodapp: take away the graphics? you still have a decent game. Think of it this way. This is much more a complete game than infinity blade. and let me remind you of that review... http://toucharcade.com/2010/12/08/in...-blade-review/ If you take the visuals from infinity blade, what do you have? fruit ninja with people.

Originally Posted by Pacificsun0481

What does Shadowgun have going for it?


For my tastes Shadowgun has in spades, what most iOS TPS/action games lack:

It has a cohesive and engaging storyline. Not only is the story cohesive, but the antagonist and protagonist have a genuine conflict, where the player wants to see the entire plot through.

In addition to the narrative being cohesive and engaging, I find it to be highly entertaining. The plot is excellently voiced, believably suited for the cast of characters encompassed in the game's universe.

Gameplay wise:

There are elements to the levels, while at their core having simple formulaic directional elements (levers, gates, etc), the levels are expanded in scope and work harmoniously to drive progress forward. You're never handheld, nor lost on the objective at hand, nor is control clunky and unrefined. The cover mechanic, is by far, the most balanced and well implemented on the iOS platform.

There are also hidden items, decoding puzzles and the like, which add tasty elements to simple things like opening a set of doors. The icing on the cake, are the well designed and thought out boss encounters.

Visually:

Shadowgun has visceral atmosphere and a wonderful display of graphical prowess. There are few titles on iOS which can match the technology and acumen on display here.

To discredit the overall immersion these visuals add, is to relegate that visuals overall have little to no impact.

Bone pick moment:

It's hypocrisy, to boast about the visuals, Hodapp and then blatantly discredit them to make a case. You have to take the visuals into account and the entire level of graphical finesse delivered by the game - not as a sole being, but as an added asset, which few other games on the platform have.

It adds a believability, an atmosphere, a level of immersion which enhances an entire experience, that elevates each element of the game onto a higher level. Graphics do not make a game - but they do enhance a game, on more than a single note.

Consider this:

If Apple products were hideous looking, would they be looked at and considered differently than they are?


The fact is, they are elegant and visually pleasing. Therefore, the wow factor makes them desirable, while at their core they're quite rudimentary machines.

Consider anything visual:

Architecture, paintings, video games, houses, spouses...humans are visual creatures. Visuals do matter, when the technology shows capable people increasingly expect it as a standard.

People would not buy an XBox 360 for NES style games.

I did not buy iPad 2, after having an O.G. iPad, for rudimentary touch based games.

I bought it on the promise of GOF 2 FHD, Shadowgun, Infinity Blade, Dark Meadow, Cordy, March of Heroes , Bladeslinger, etc.

The tech moves forward and these graphics should be the minimum standard now as far as I'm concerned.

On iOS as a whole, they are NOT. Therefore you cannot discredit a driving factor that elevates many decent elements of a game, into outstanding, jaw dropping ones.

I disagree that the game is below standard.

I find the game to be excellent in a lot of ways.

It is by no means perfect, but it's not deserving of the black eye you're giving it.

QFT, Very well said guys. I couldn't agree more. I applaud your responses.

I really can't understand why Hodapp wants to put this game down, unless it is his extremely bad taste kicking in again.

[iVaro]

MadFinger:why doesm't this game uploads your achievements to GameCenter even when offline? I'd love to see that in the next update.

[russiaone]

Originally Posted by VonWillebrand

I couldn't disagree more with the TA review. Granted, this game is far from perfect but as a single player experience it's leaps and bounds over anything Gameloft has done. Yet Gameloft titles receive good reviews. Yes, many of them have multiplayer but the single player campaigns are awful.

+1

There are some things to nitpick (awkward weapon switching, I'm looking at you), but this game is masterful in its presentation, visceral in its gameplay attitude, and simply FUN to play. I love the few weapons on hand, and with headphones on the sound design is excellent.

9/10

Oh, and these graphics are the best I've yet to see on a portable platform, tricks be damned.

[arta]

If not for that game halting bug, Shadowgun bests a lot of Gameloft's games, offhand only the premiere series Modern Combat and Nova beat it in terms of feeling like a full game.

That's not to say there isn't room for improvement.

[Snacks48]

The touch arcade review is rediculous like pretty much the rest of the reviews on this site, madfingers probably didn't pay them money for a 5 star review so hodapp couldn't buy a 4th generation device.

[Dirty Harry Hannahan]

Originally Posted by arta

I don't believe this, The glitch happened to me, after I'd already beaten the level. Unbelievable!

First off, the checkpoint system is screwy: I only noticed now when I load the app to resume the game, it sends me back to the checkpoint BEFORE the one I reached. Happened to me twice, the second time was tonight when I tried to continue the mission and found myself at the checkpoint before the Driller boss, even though I had already beaten it!

Then the real glitch everyone's been complaining about struck - I turned around to run down the corridor and shoot the lights when I died randomly. This keeps happening no matter what - even if you DON'T take the keycard (that triggers the Driller), you can still die if you turn around and walk back.

To me it's unbelievable that this got past beta testing. The game is completely broken at this point of the game, and I was getting into it.

Hopefully an update will happen real soon. I want to play past the driller and see what this game has to offer.

[chickdigger802]

Saying something is better than gameloft game isn't really the best praise in the world kids...

The worst thing to happen to this game is coming out right after Gears of War 3, which this pales to, naturally. If this came out a while earlier, my opinion would be better somewhat. But the potential for this series is high, so I'm not sad for picking it up.

[Jdragoon19]

I strongly disagree with the TA review. Its like the guy was trying to put this game down as best as he could (no offense to him though).

[Haruhi]

Reviewers are supposed to write an article based on their experiences with a game, which Thorin (not Hodapp) did. Sure, he (she?) encountered an extremely rare bug while playing through Shadowgun, but I would also be frustrated if my save file was deleted that far into the game. The fact that a save deletion bug even exists is a major flaw. Do I agree with the 3 star review? Not necessarily, but I don't understand why so many people are all worked up over it...

[backtothis]

Originally Posted by Snacks48

The touch arcade review is rediculous like pretty much the rest of the reviews on this site, madfingers probably didn't pay them money for a 5 star review so hodapp couldn't buy a 4th generation device.

What.