Ravensword

Ravensword by Chillingo is a highly anticipated RPG game for iPhone and iPod Touch. Its unique 3D graphics, ease of control and storyline were supposed to redefine how games are made on handhelds and set a new standard of handheld gaming.

Having met initial setbacks with the AppStore, the game has been finally released last month. Let's take a closer look at what Ravensword is all about and whether it's worth your money.

GRAPHICS

As iPhone games go, graphics in Ravensword are remarkable. All of the 3D models is the game are simply gorgeous and although the polygon count is quite low, there is a lot to look at and quite a few locales to explore.

Having played the game on 2nd Generation iPod Touch, I can testify that there was not a single bog down or a crash, so despite the incredible (for iPhone) graphics, the game plays very smoothly.

Unfortunately for those of us that put graphics above everything else, remember that compared to other gaming consoles and especially modern computer games, graphics in Ravensword look quite dated.

Having said that, I have to admit that this is by far the most incredibly looking 3D game on iPhone.

SOUND EFFECTS

Music and sound effects are incredibly well done. Depending on the area you are exploring, the music will change from melodramatic to pure action and will help engulf you in the storyline even more. Sound effects, such as sword fighting and monsters attacking you are also quite well done, especially for an iPhone game.

STORYLINE AND GAMEPLAY

The premise of the game is quite simple: you are an amnesiac warrior and your goal is to save a kingdom from peril. Sounds familiar? Well, to be honest, the plot in the game is quite bland. On top of that, the quests are too few and the main storyline can be easily finished in under 4 hours of playing non-stop.

The game plays somewhat similar to 3D FPS in terms of walking around and hitting things with your sword. The controls are quite simple, though take time to get used to.

You walk with a pad in the corner and can jump and hit with the buttons on the right. Looking around is done by dragging your finger around the screen and is usually necessary in order to turn. Targeting enemies is done with a simple click, although usually due to their size or distance is quite a challenge.

However despite the simplicity of controls, amazing graphics and great music, the game suffers from the lack of things to do.

Though many have compared it to Oblivion, the game does not come anywhere close to the PC masterpiece. Not only are you limited in what you can do and places you can visit, but even the RPG elements are stripped down to "gain xp, level up, get extra attributes automatically", which means that other than your name, you cannot change anything about your character in the game. On top of that, you cannot even choose a class or choose weapons other than "melee" or "bow", both of which are quite unimpressive.

The equipment offered is very simplistic and absolutely ordinary. With only two sets of armor, which only covers your upper body anyway and weapons that literally don't make that much of a difference, you are left with a very poorly planned out RPG game.

CONCLUSION

Ravensword was supposed to be a life changing experience, an RPG of all RPGs on iPhone, but unfortunately it turned out to be anything but. All of the important RPG elements are simply absent from the game and lack of character modification, classes, poor weapon and armor selection along with a short plot leave use with a more of a 3D Action game with excellent graphics and good music.

If you are an RPG fan and were waiting for Ravensword for a long time, I suggest to look elsewhere.

If you want to see what iPhone can do in terms of graphics and music and see the future of iPhone games or just want to run around and kill things with a sword then this game is definitely for you.

Although a long awaited masterpiece-to-be, I cannot give this game anything but 7/10

VERDICT

7/10

Great graphics, good music, good action

Poor storyline, no RPG elements, boring in long term