The iPhone couldn’t be a true gaming device without a selection of sports-related games to have a look at. Luckily of course, the iPhone and iPod touch are both great when it comes to gaming, and the sports titles that feature on the App Store gladly do not disappoint.
International Athletics
Category: Sports Sim
Seller: Ghostlight LTD
Requirements: iPhone OS 2.2.1 or later
Compatibility: iPhone and iPod touch
File Size: 50.1MB
Version Reviewed: 1.1
Price: $2.99
Age Rating: 4+
International Athletics is a very well thought out game for the iPhone. The 11 most popular track and field events feature in the game, from the 100m sprint to the javelin throw. You can compete either in individual events, in a tournament, or in your very own decathlon. Each event is highly detailed, with graphics resembling something similar to PlayStation 1 titles. Certainly for the iPhone and iPod touch, the detail looks great and the animation is fluid. The characters displayed in each event fit very closely to those in real life—following a replay of the 110m hurdles, the control of each character is very realistic and each individual. The artificial intelligence used throughout International Athletics is of a consistent high level.
The graphics for International Athletics are really very nice. Sure, they’re not high definition, but for portable gaming, there’s no issues with them. The game allows you to create your own avatars with a lot of space for customization, and you have a choice of five venues in which to play. While parts of the stadiums appear to be drawn in 2D, where it matters, the characters, equipment and surrounding areas are all 3D, making you feel more involved in the game.
The controls are themselves quite intuitive. Using two fingers, you can create a running motion, using other areas of the screen to either jump a hurdle or gain power for a hammer throw. Instructions for controls are given before each attempt, and after a few tries you’re sure to have the hang of it. Once you feel you’ve mastered the level that you’re playing, you can move through the ranks from Rookie to Pro and then to Advanced. Once you’re through to the advanced level, things are certainly more tricky, but with a little practice you find yourself back on the podiums in no time.
International Athletics is a great title for the iPhone and iPod touch—one that has stayed a favorite of mine for some time now. As you’re playing, it feels realistic, competitive and intuitive. If you come second in a race, you feel you have no option but to try again until you reach the first spot. Some games would make me give up, but International Athletics has something about it that makes me keep playing.
iSoccer Backstreet
Category: Sports sim
Seller: Artificial Life
Requirements: iPhone OS 2.0 or later
Compatibility: iPhone and iPod touch
File Size: 53.0MB
Version Reviewed: 1.0.1
Price: $1.99
Age Rating: 4+
iSoccer aims to take Soccer away from the playing fields and into the suburb backstreets. This game focuses more on specific elements of Soccer, rather than the game as a whole, allowing you to try your hand at shooting, dribbling and ball control using various parts of the body, all on your iPhone. Once you’ve mastered the various areas, you can put it together to test your skills in some levels, and earn points for your ball control in others. If Soccer is your sport, iSoccer for the iPhone is sure to grab your interest.
The graphics for iSoccer appear highly detailed, with authentic-looking backgrounds and environments. Once you’ve chosen your player, you can customize how he looks by changing his clothing and footwear with a range of different options. You can also change the ball’s appearance to one of five different styles which become unlocked as you progress through the game. Controlling the players is quite simple in iSoccer, using a mixture of the accelerometer to control the players movements, and on-screen icons to shoot, or control the ball in some way. Each level can be slightly different, but on-screen icons are clearly labelled so picking it up takes no time at all.
Admittedly, I’m not much for Soccer, but iSoccer can be quite addictive because it has the basic structure of the game, but in different environments and styles, making it more unique and interesting to play. The intuitive use of the accelerometer to control the ball in some tricks is great, and in some way makes you feel as though you’ve achieved something. Putting it all together really enhances the game, and because you’re left with the majority of control over your player and the ball, each play is unique. iSoccer is a great little game for the iPhone and iPod touch, and with a lite version also available, you don’t have many reasons not to give it a go.
Force Archer
Category: Arcade Game
Seller: UI Magic, Inc.
Requirements: iPhone OS 2.2.1 or later
Compatibility: iPhone and iPod touch
File Size: 9.3MB
Version Reviewed: 1.1
Price: $0.99
Age Rating: 9+ (infrequent/mild cartoon or fantasy violence)
Archer is almost exactly what you would expect from an Archery-based iPhone game. Simple, basic controls, repetitive gameplay and nicely designed graphics. To fire an arrow, you simply use your finger to find a preferred angle, then hold down the “fire” button until the desired power is reached. The game does use realistic physics for the trajectory of the arrow, including factors such as the wind speed. Each level, you aim to hit the computer-controlled opponent accurately in order to effectively kill him, while your opponent is trying to kill you. Last man standing wins, simple. Once you’ve worked out the best angle and speed, your opponent won’t stand a chance, but each level differs in the position of your opponents, so each level can result in a different outcome.
The graphics are fairly simple. The background features a highly detailed cartoon image, which for the most part stays static. It is the archers, arrows and bows that use smooth animations. As the levels progress, you find yourself in various scenarios, including being under water and having to aim over the brow of a hill to hit your opponent. There’s nothing that really stands out, but for a simple game such as Archer, that can be a good thing. There’s nothing to distract your attention from the basic gameplay, allowing yourself to keep entertained for a few minutes at a time. The menu navigation is simple, and options are kept to a minimum to keep things simple.
Force Archer is the type of game you would find on a game’s website. It’s unlikely you’ll become addicted to it, but you’re sure you keep returning back for a few minutes every so often. There’s nothing I dislike about this title, although it lacks a real spark that we are seeing more often with iPhone games. You may feel it’s the kind of title that should be offered for free, but there is an Archer Lite version which will allow you to try the game for yourself first. If you enjoy archery, or are looking for a fun game to pass the time, Archer is certainly worth a look.
Wow really helpful post.
Keep up the good writing, look forward to more.