Believe it or not – iOS’ killer gaming app just got a whole lot better. Yes, we are THAT impressed by Infinity Blade 2.
When the iPad was launched in 2010 (seems longer ago, doesn’t it?), one of the games used to showcase its prowess was Infinity Blade, a simple hack and slash affair with some RPG elements thrown in. The plot was simple – you were a medieval warrior of sorts and had to wade through level after level of villains to finally knock over the boss and claim the sword known as the Infinity Blade. Gameplay was simple too – you moved your fingers across the screen to hack and slash and used onscreen icons to dodge and block blows. What, however, really marked the game out as special was its presentation – the graphics were console-level sensational and if the plot was paper-thin, no one really cared simply because the game looked so darned good!
Well, the game has spawned its first sequel, Infinity Blade 2, a few days ago. And the developers have decided not to fix what ain’t broke, while adding a few embellishments to the game. Yes, the storyline is a bit deeper (well, any would be) than the first episode. You are Siris, a knight who had to avenge his father’s death and find someone known as the Worker of Secrets. The core idea, however, is the same – take on some sensationally sizeable enemies with exotic weapons one after the other, even while improving your character’s skills and looking around for goodies like treasure and the like.
Another thing that remains the same is the presentation. If your jaw does not drop on seeing the graphics of the game, then we suggest a visit to the optician. There is a wealth of detail here, be it the blossoms falling gently off a cherry tree, sunshine reflecting off a rapier, or the intricate designs on armour and weapons. There is more voice acting this time around as well, and the music has a subtler hue – we actually fought one sequence with hardly a drum roll in it.
The most noticeable changes to the game, however, are in combat. You can now step away from the traditional sword and shield combo, and opt for heavy two handed weapons or even a weapon in each hand. The last is particularly fascinating as it requires you to be lithe as a fox, as your defence options are limited. You can also add gems to your weapons. These may not seem like major additions, but they do add a lot of replay value to the game – we kept coming back to try out new weapons.
The developers have also stuck to the previous game’s formula of brief and fiesty battles – almost as if each encounter has been designed for a quick break from work. You are unlikely to be caught up in a single battle for more than a few minutes, making this the perfect game to play in small lots, although we daresay many of you will be hooked on to it for hours rather than minutes. Defeat will be inevitable at some stage early on, but thanks to your ability to keep adding to your skills and leveling up, ultimate victory is almost always assured, if after raising some cain and sweat. This is mobile gaming at its best – great to look at, simple to play.
If Infinity Blade had set a benchmark for games on iOS, its successor pushes the bar a bit higher. Yes, we are sure there are more intellectually stimulating games around but as a sheer spectacle, none come even close. The simple and addictive gameplay just adds to the fun. In some ways, it is the antithesis of games like Where’s My Water and Angry Birds. There is nothing cute or kiddy about the world of Infinity Blade. This is gritty stuff with gore galore and some of the nastiest looking villains gaming has seen – not for the faint-hearted this.
It does not come cheap at $6.99 and at over 900MB is a hefty download. But we still unflinchingly recommend it as one of the first apps you should download on any iOS device, and especially on an iPad, whose large display allows you to handle those battles more easily. Mind you, we would recommend playing it on the iPhone 4/4S and the iPad 2, as it did seem to stutter on older devices.
Killer gaming app? You bet. We have been mortally wounded by it.
And are loving it.
Get it from: iTunes App Store
Works with: iPhone 3GS/ iPhone 4/ iPhone 4S/ iPod touch (3rd generation)/iPod touch (4th generation)/ iPad /iPad 2.
