iPhone Reviews 2.0

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Dungeon Hunter is a RPG game by Gameloft. $6.99

[This is a modified post from TheAppEra]

Gameloft had a bit of controversy with this game, releases the game with a bug that prevented players to travel further than a certain part in the game. With the game now intact and working perfectly, we can now give you a full review. Let me tell you peeps, THIS. IS. AWESOME!

The very first thing I ever heard about 3D RPG games coming onto the App Store was the amazing looking Ravensworld, but Gameloft has piped up quietly with their own amazing game. I have heard that this game is very much like Diablo but for those who don't know what that game is, it's kind of like Hero of Sparta mixed with some ZENONIA gameplay and RPG traits.

What I really like about this game is that it is brilliant looking and plays kind of like there previous games Hero of Sparta and very distantly Assassin's Creed. The RPG style adds on a bit more choice and replayability and I really think it works well with a game like this. I found ZENONIA quite dry after many hours playing but the 3D gameplay of Dungeon Hunter just makes it all that more entertaining to play. This game is one that I didn't think I would get hooked on wanting to finish after bombing out from playing Chronicles of Inotia, Dungeon & Hero and Zenonia only about halfway.

Gameloft has managed to 'almost' perfect having the virtual buttons on the screen. Once again they have done nothing revolutionary with their controls. To move around you have the virtual joystick to move around and to attack/open chests/talk to people is a button on the bottom right of the screen. There is also a button on the right hand side of the screen which is the special move for the current fairy that is following you around (You will find out about these if you play the game). This can be changed depending on your fairy.

Now those who have Assassin's Creed will remember that special buttons appeared when it was possible to perform that move. In Dungeon Hunter you can perform them whenever you want, hence why a trio of buttons can be rotated and pressed whenever you want. These are learnt by using points whenever you move up a level.

Dungeon Hunter has some very nice graphics and definitely looks better than a 2D RPG. The graphics remind me more of Assassin's Creed rather than Hero of Sparta, but are certainly unique. There are many different areas and levels in this game and they all have their own 3D layout and design. The customization of the character also adds a bit more variety to the game and looks great when you can suit him out in anything you wish, except headgear. There is a fair bit of sound that is featured in the game with the obviously fighting etc. but nothing that will blow your mind away.

The framerate for a game like this is very respectable. The one good thing about having a 1st Gen iPod Touch is that you can see how the game copes on the 'slowest device'. If the game works well on that device then it should be even better on the newer devices. I only encountered lag about once or twice and this was after pausing the game and turning the device off for some time before returning. I haven't had the game crash which I have found happens quite often with games that have 3D graphics like itself.

Dungeon Hunter is all about getting Quests and completing them. First of all there are three different characters to play with, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. The story starts with you awakening from the dead and talking to your fairy as such. Its a bit confusing but you have come back to defeat the evil queen. You must fight your way out of your location to get to town. Here your quests develop as you talk to people and more and more locations are opened up as you complete the quests. As you do this the story unravels in front of your eyes and you learn about what has happened to you.

This game could easily be played in the manner of Hero of Sparta and Assassin's Creed, and the first screenshots suggested just that. However the RPG side of the game generally involves levelling up and changing your attributes and stats. Your weapons and clothing is also changeable and can add to your skills. What I like about this game however is that you can cope going through levels without the hours of grinding because you can manage to cope quite well without repeating areas to get levelled up. Of course this may change as I get through the story more but so far its quite manageable.

To add to the replayability quests will sometimes require you to go back to previous areas for some item recovery for example. These things seem easier than normal and are often quick though because you will have levelled up and gotten stronger than when you first visited that area. Overall, this game is sick!

Dungeon Hunter is a very good game that is very worthy of the $6.99 asking price. I believe this game will hold up well when Ravensworld comes out soon being the 3rd (I believe) 3D RPG after Dungeon Hunter and the unsuccessful Crusade of Destiny. Gameloft have provided a game true to their standard with great graphics and a game that will be enjoyed for hours on end.

It's nice to see Gameloft venture away from their standard type of games and put some interesting RPG style into Dungeon Hunter. I would like to say that this is one of the best games I have played on the App Store, certainly in the RPG catergory anyway.