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Shadowgun
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Shadowgun
Reviewed on: iPad
 
Developer:
Madfinger Games
 
Publisher:
Madfinger Games
 
Release Date:
Available now
 
Genre:
3rd Person Shooter
 
Available On:
iPhone/iPod, iPad
 
Official Website
 
 

Score: 4.5 / 5

Madfinger Games have been busy focussing on all things mobile and the result of their hard work is a small download but a massive game: Shadowgun.

Shadowgun puts you into the third person over the shoulder view of our protagonist Jack Slade, a bounty hunter who always brings his man down. You are sent on a mission to capture or kill the mad scientist Dr. Edger Simon, who has stolen secrets, people, and resources from a multinational company. Now that company wants the situation sorted out, like only Jack Slade can.

The first thing that grabs you about this game is the graphics. I’ve played so many games on the iPad now and this one really made me stop and look around the environment on more than one occasion. Most of the game is spent indoors and although the constant trawling through levels does get a little repetitive Madfinger have made this slightly different with the use of industrial building techniques and colour changes. You actually feel like you’re moving along in the story. For all the indoor story progression it was the outdoor scenes that really showed the potential power the iPad holds within. Madfinger have really created graphically beautiful environments; when you get to view long distances you can see distant mountains, smoking sunsets and scrolling clouds. Just magic.

With all the graphical punch that comes with this game you would allow some breathing room for the sound quality, but again Shadowgun flexes its muscles and really delivers. Powerful guns blasting and environmental sounds are constant and consistent, whether it’s the sound of huge metal doors sliding open or your enemy screaming at you that you’re about to die. Of course there is also the classic touch of manic action-style metal music to alert you to any enemies as you enter new rooms.

For all the games charm and polish it is still hampered by a few basic niggling issues. Firstly I played the game as a shooter on the iPad, this is a real hamstring to the ability of any shooter. Controlling the movement of the character is at times difficult, other times downright excruciating. There is nothing more annoying than being shot at by multiple human-like cyborgs and not being able to turn or move to avoid being killed!

Secondly, and I cannot lay all the blame at the feet of the developers, is the game crashes. On multiple occasions the game just switched off and returned to the home screen. I would be eagerly awaiting the next scene as I sat staring at a loading screen and the next moment I found myself looking at my home screen. Like I said it is not something I can hold solely to the game, perhaps I may need to restart my iPad more regularly, but hopefully it gets addressed in future patches.

All in all this is by far the best shooter I have not only played but also seen on the iOS to date. The story is not very influential to the game but the gameplay, sounds and graphics make up for that. The caption on iTunes reads ‘6 hours of game play’, which is not far from truth. I finished the game in little over 5 hours however I did not find all the unlockables in the process. I found it challenging in sections and entertaining through-out. As one of the more expensive games on the iPad ($8.49 on the Aussie App Store) I would be hesitant to pick it up, however after more than 5 hours playing the game I can now recommend it wholeheartedly as a worthwhile purchase.

Shadowgun can be played on iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad.


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Lucas
The Podfather/Convo Controller
Super salesman by day, Batdad and Gamersutra by night. As a self-confessed technology pacifist, he prefers to sit on the console-war fence and play games on his PC.
Matt
PlayStation Fanboy/Motormouth
Electrician by trade and yet also highly skilled at finding time to game around work and family commitments. A PlayStation fanboy with a platinum count and obvious podcast bias to prove it. Thinks DC is clearly superior to Marvel. Has been known to rant.
ABOUT DBG

Started in January 2011 by brothers Lucas and Matt, Drop Bear Gaming has been operating for over 7 years offering a fresh and relaxed perspective on the video game industry. The website is a passion project more than anything and it is our distinct pleasure to continue bringing entertainment to our listeners and viewers.

The guys release a podcast episode every two to three weeks and over the years they have welcomed guests from developers, publishers, and other gaming outlets onto the show.

Disclaimer: From time to time Drop Bear Gaming receives copies of games for review in either physical or digital format from publishers or their associated PR companies. All reviews are based on the merits of each game on their own. Whether or not we were supplied the copy is not taken into account when compiling our reviews.

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