FingerGaming

Rating:

• Price: $5.99 (Get it)
• Version: 1.0
• Official Site: Namco Networks

On-rails shooters are a popular genre on the iPhone and iPod Touch. After all, they make sense in the context of the hardware, demanding little more interaction than tapping, and they’ve always been a tempting genre in the arcade setting, where prices are similarly low and the fun quick and disposable.

So the thought goes that a conversion of Time Crisis would be a great idea, especially as the requirement that you duck to avoid shots adds an extra level of interaction that the iPhone/iPod Touch’s accelerometer can play a role in.

I don’t know about you, though, but while I’ve always expected on-rails shooters to be easy to play on my iPod Touch, I’ve usually found them a bit inaccurate. Because the system relies on pudgy fingers to strike at baddies – who can often be small on screen – I often miss in my urge to strike as fast as possible.

Then there’s the fact that my finger then obscures the screen for often crucial milliseconds. So although you’d think tapping at a screen would be easier than aiming and shooting with a plastic gun, I’ve found it harder. So with a game as reliant on accuracy and speed as Time Crisis, can the iPhone really be as good a platform for it as it would initially seem?

Well, you’ve probably guessed by now that my answer is “no, not really.” I have incredibly fond memories of the original arcade game and its sequel, and this title – which doesn’t appear to be a conversion of any specific Time Crisis game – suffers horribly, simply due to its unmet demands of the hardware.

First up, the graphics are full 3D, but very far from attractive. With a very “early PlayStation” look, this is hardly an attractive game, and in a major faux pas, the HUD – which keeps you informed of how many bullets you have and how tilted the screen is (so you know if you’re about to accidentally pop into view or back into cover) – actually hides some of the action!

This is particularly noticeable in the “Crisis Missions”, the segment of the game where you are asked to perform tasks such as killing only yellow enemies, and so on.  If an enemy appears behind the HUD, you can find yourself failing just because you didn’t see them.

Tapping is inaccurate, too, but worst of all has to be the use of the accelerometer to pop in and out of cover. The distance that you’re required to tilt is far enough that it’s nowhere near the “binary” pop of the arcade games, leading to a sluggish action that will lead to many, many accidental hits. And yet the game still requires a (very) steady hand to avoid mistakes.

Honestly, it’s a struggle to not take damage even on the first stage, but with only three (short) stages on offer, some might consider that a benefit. I wouldn’t say that I do, though, especially considering they haven’t bothered to include any cut-scenes, weapon power-ups or anything else the series is generally known for.

I found Time Crisis to be pretty depressing. It’s a great license, but it feels like it was just chucked on the iPhone to be sold to people who recognize the name, without trying to make a genuinely good game, or even one that uses the system’s strengths in any meaningful way.

Tags: Action, iPhone, iPod Touch, reviews, shooter, time crisis strike