Snowy, Captain Haddock and Tintin. I doubt there’s a more universally recognized trio of adventurers in existence. Georges Rémi’s creations have attained almost legendary status since their original newspaper appearance in 1929, and while they may not possess Jones’ whip or Drake’s sarcasm they’ve still maintained a place in the hearts and minds of a vast portion of the population (200 million plus copies sold and counting). The soon-to-be-released CGI film is almost here, and it’s poised to rekindle the old flame for long time fans as well as welcome a new generation into the fold. If there were to be a video game made with the license, now would be the time for it.

Gameloft knows this, which is why we have them to thank for the recent release of The Adventures of Tintin – The Secret of the Unicorn – The Game. Players will take control of each member of the trio (as well as the legendary pirate, Sir Francis Haddock) as they make their way through adaptations of the film’s environments and attempt to find The Unicorn’s lost treasure. But don’t fret, this is a tried and true adventure game. There will be sneaking, flying, sword fights, camel races and more.

The interactive exploits of the world’s most well-known fictional reporter are ours for the having at a respectable $6.99. I’m sadly limited by the storage space on my older machine (846 MB? Yowza!), but that doesn’t mean anyone with a newer device or the die-hard fans can’t enjoy it on my behalf.

$4.99

The Adventures of Tintin™ - The Game

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad

Our Rating: :: MULTI-TALENTED
Read Our Full Review >>

Released: 2011-12-14 :: Category: Games

Girls: Don’t feel confined to the likes of Farmville, Cityville or numerous other ‘ville’ type titles. There’s a fantasy based freemium game aimed specifically at the female gender: Fantasy Town.

OK, admittedly there’s nothing to stop girls from playing any game they so choose to (I should know) but Gameloft reckons that Fantasy Town is perfect for girls.

Focusing on a magical world in which players can raise magical plants, build a village and explore mysterious lands, much of the experience is centered around decorating homes and socializing with friends within the game through Facebook Connect. Plenty of creatures can be encountered and players can complete collections of magical items as they progress.

It sounds a little similar to other freemium titles but there’s no denying that it does look pretty cute. Check out the gameplay trailer below. The game is out now and is free to download.

FREE!

Fantasy Town

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2011-12-08 :: Category: Games

The Oregon Trail has long been both a favorite video game – recently ported by Gameloft to iOS – and an educational tool. The game takes players on a problem-solving adventure across the 2,000-mile historic and dangerous east-west wagon route that spanned the Missouri River.

Now the giant game publishers have released a freemium sequel: The Oregon Trail: American Settler that picks up where the classic leaves off. The journey is over and it’s time to build and manitain a homestead on this new frontier.

Much like Zynga’s FrontierVille, gamers create and customize their own villages, collect resources, keep the villagers safe from everything from weather to predators and for the educational spin, meet up with historical figures. The title has mini-games that stick with the theme challenging gamers with fishing and hunting. As always the goal is survival in a place where the buffalo don’t just roam, they stampede.

FREE!

The Oregon Trail: American Settler

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2011-11-17 :: Category: Games

iPads are taking over the world and it looks like our skies too. Gameloft has collaborated with Australian airline Jetstar in order to offer a lineup of 12 pre-loaded games for iPads as part of the in-flight entertainment program for passengers.

From December, five titles will be available encompassing a range of different interests. These titles include Real Football, Shrek Kart, Avatar, UNO and N.O.V.A: Near Orbit Vanguard Alliance.

Coming to the airline in the first quarter of 2012 will be the remaining seven titles: GT Racing: Motor Academy, Brain Challenge, Blokus, Iron Man 2, Let’s Golf! 2, The Settlers and Asphalt 5. It’s a varied bunch both in terms of genre and quality but it should be plenty to keep passengers entertained during their flight.

Passengers will be able to rent iPads with such games on them when flying longer than 2 hours for A$10 to A$15 per flight. Not bad at all for a heap of fun.

This week at 148Apps.com, site founder Jeff Scott welcomed the Kindle Fire into the tablet fold with an overview of his impressions of the device. Scott says, “…while the Kindle Fire is around 40 percent the cost of a base level iPad, it’s capabilities are even less. It just so happens that those capabilities match up well with what a typical consumer uses a tablet device for. Because of that, the Kindle Fire will be a strong competitive device to the iPad. When it comes down to it, it’s the cost that matters to a very large portion of the buying public, not the capabilities.”

Read the full review on 148Apps.com.

Meanwhile, our sister site, GiggleApps, took a closer look at a new educational app for children, iLuv Drawing Animals. Reviewer Amy Solomon writes, “iLuv Drawing Animals is a nice choice for kids who are interested in learning the very basics of drawing cartoony animals that are cute and relatively easy to draw. I like how these illustrations are broken down into smaller shapes that kids will easily understand and have had experience with, and the narration is pleasant and easy to follow.”

Read the full review on GiggleApps.

$2.99

iLuv Drawing Animals - Learn how to draw 40 animals

iPad Only App - Designed for the iPad
Released: 2011-10-10 :: Category: Education

Finally, on AndroidRundown, Carter Dotson announced the public availability of Google Music, an interesting development for all music lovers, no matter the device. Dotson writes, “Most importantly, this means that Google is now in the business of one of the big pillars of media, and it addresses a gaping hole in the Android Market. With videos and books already addressed, now the store is complete with music to go along with apps. Google is directly putting themselves in competition with iTunes, and they are making their operating system much closer in terms of features to iOS devices. This was a necessary move for Google.”

Read more of Dotson’s commentary on AndroidRundown.

As we head into the week of Thanksgiving here in the US, remember that you can still enter to win an iPhone 4S, courtesy of 148Apps and Gameloft. To enter, just become a 148Apps and Gameloft Facebook fan – www.facebook.com/gameloft and www.facebook.com/148apps.

Or you can follow both of us on Twitter as well at www.twitter.com/148apps and www.twitter.com/gameloft. Then, write the following public tweet: “Upgrade to a 4S yet? Follow @Gameloft & @148Apps & RT for a chance to win an iPhone 4S! Gameloft gaming on the 4S: http://glft.co/uIR3Y1″

See you next week, true believers! Start thawing that turkey!

We’re heading towards the holidays, and this week at 148Apps.com we premiered a new Gameloft contest for the ultimate holiday gift – a brand spankin’ new iPhone 4S. To enter, just become a 148Apps and Gameloft Facebook fan – www.facebook.com/gameloft and www.facebook.com/148apps.

Or you can follow both of us on Twitter as well at www.twitter.com/148apps and www.twitter.com/gameloft. Then, write the following public tweet: “Upgrade to a 4S yet? Follow @Gameloft & @148Apps & RT for a chance to win an iPhone 4S! Gameloft gaming on the 4S: http://glft.co/uIR3Y1″

For a link to the official rules, plus more information, read the full article on 148Apps.

Our GiggleApps sister site featured a new review of Transport Jigsaw Puzzles 123 for iPad from writer Amy Solomon. She writes, “Transport Jigsaw Puzzles 123 for iPad is the terrific sequel to the original app, Farm Jigsaw Puzzles 123 for iPad. Seven scenes are included here that wonderfully introduce many vehicles and means of transportation, both traditional and unique, as well as a very fun, puzzle experience with the choice of using 2 to 16 puzzle pieces per scene and include hints if needed. There is also an iPhone version of this app available with 5 puzzle scenes included.”

Read the full review on GiggleApps.

$1.99

Transport Jigsaw Puzzles 123 - Fun Learning Game for Kids

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2011-09-30 :: Category: Games

Finally, on 148Apps.biz, site founder Jeff Scott recapped his recent visit to the Sprint Open Solutions Conference, saying, “During the keynote from CEO Dan Hesse, he mentioned many times how great it was to have the iPhone on Sprint now (and to no longer have to answer the question of when they would get the iPhone). The addition of the iPhone 4 and 4S should allow Sprint to have their best year ever this year. Needing to have just one million adds to reach that record level. The iPhone should easily help them retain users and gain new ones.”

Read the full recap on 148Apps.biz.

We’re done for this week! As always, check our Twitter and Facebook feeds for the latest news, reviews, contests and giveaways. See you next week.

It’s a simple thing, really. You want the new Apple iPhone 4S, and Gameloft and 148Apps want to give it to you. Gameloft is celebrating the release of its newly-optimized titles for the iPhone 4S – BackStab, Silent Ops, Let’s Golf 3, Fast Five, 9mm, and Asphalt 6 – by giving you the chance to win one of the coveted little devices.

To enter, just become a 148Apps and Gameloft Facebook fan – www.facebook.com/gameloft and www.facebook.com/148apps.

Or you can follow both of us on Twitter as well at www.twitter.com/148apps and www.twitter.com/gameloft. Then, write the following public tweet: “Upgrade to a 4S yet? Follow @Gameloft & @148Apps & RT for a chance to win an iPhone 4S! Gameloft gaming on the 4S: http://glft.co/uIR3Y1″

Once you’ve done either the Facebook or the Twitter route, head to the Contest Facebook Page and fill out the form to be entered.

It’s as simple as that! Even better, there are more ways to increase your chances to win, so read the full rules and requirements here to learn how.

So what are you waiting for? An iPhone 4S hangs in the balance.

Gameloft continue to tease us with a new trailer and set of screenshots to advertise the forthcoming release of Gangstar Rio: City of Saints, a mere six weeks after the last trailer. There’s still no sign of a release date but it’s continuing to intrigue with its Grand Theft Auto style gameplay.

This trailer depicts some cool looking sights such as flying helicopters, tanks to take control of, cool cars to drive and er exploding footballs to contend with. The screenshots offer similar prospects plus it looks like players will be able to fly planes and maybe even steer yachts. That’s not forgetting the ultra violence we’ve all come to expect from sandbox gangster titles like this.

Looks like Gangstar Rio: City of Saints will be great fun when it hits the App Store.

While we all wait for further news of the release date, take a look at the Gangstar Rio: City of Saints mini-site on Facebook and, also, check out the trailer and screenshots below.

Never one to miss an opportunity to offer some great price reductions, Gameloft has announced a sale in honor of Halloween.

Six games in all are on offer at a bargain price of $0.99 each. The selection is a bit of a mixed bag, however.

For the kids and general movie tie-in fans, there’s the choice of Shrek Forever After available in both iPhone and iPad varieties. The same discount is offered for the rather dubious Iron Man 2, again with a choice of iPhone or iPad.

We’d recommend giving those two a miss. However, do consider MMORPG Order & Chaos Online which is a pretty special homage to World of Warcraft.

Racing fans may want to consider Driver, the iPhone adaptation of the popular getaway driving console title.

There’s a discount for Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater clone Skater Nation too but it might be best left to the avid skateboarding fans, desperate for a similar title.

Probably the biggest bargain is that of Gameloft Action Pack. With three games bundled together, Hero of Sparta, Blades of Fury and Brothers in Arms, it might not be the best selection of games but it’s pretty unbeatable when it comes to frugal gaming.

For those after a fright, Gameloft has provided a very creepy video to advertise what’s going on. It’s a tad bizarre and unnerving.

All these bargains run for the next week.

$4.99

Shrek Forever After™ : The Game

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2010-05-19 :: Category: Games

$4.99

Shrek Forever After : The Game HD

iPad Only App - Designed for the iPad
Released: 2010-07-01 :: Category: Games

$4.99

Iron Man 2

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2010-05-03 :: Category: Games

$4.99

Iron Man 2 for iPad

iPad Only App - Designed for the iPad

Our Rating: ::
Read Our Full Review >>

Released: 2010-05-03 :: Category: Games

$0.99

$6.99

Order & Chaos© Online

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad

Our Rating: :: MASSIVE
Read Our Full Review >>

Released: 2011-04-27 :: Category: Games

$2.99

Driver™

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2009-12-08 :: Category: Games

$4.99

Gameloft Action Pack

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2010-06-30 :: Category: Games

Gameloft has just released a trailer to promote their upcoming title Six-Guns and, boy, does it look familiar.

As the name suggests, Six-Guns is a Western-themed shooter that bears more than a passing resemblance to Rockstar’s console hit Red Dead Redemption. Looking like a story led sandbox title, Six-Guns is set to be full of horse racing and saloon shootouts with plenty to explore. There’s even a supernatural element by the looks of the trailer depicting ghouls, zombies and other monsters getting in on the act. Looks like players won’t have to just keep an eye out for bandits in the Wild West.

Western games haven’t been very prominant on the App Store yet so it’ll be interesting to see how this one pans out. Considering Gameloft’s previous history with homages to other titles, I reckon this one could be pretty fun.

Other than a vague release date of this Fall, no other details have yet been announced by Gameloft but we’ll be sure to let you know as soon as we get them.

Three sweet gaming deals today from big companies like EA and Gameloft. Don’t pass these up; if you haven’t already played these games, you owe it to yourself and your wallet to grab them while you can.

The Sims 3 – Was $6.99, now $0.99
The Sims 3 Ambitions – Was $4.99, now $0.99
The quintessential Sims experience on iOS and its similarly well received sequel are both on sale for a measly dollar. Like our review clearly states, it’s time to “get away from life and control someone else’s.”


Dead Space – Was $6.99, now $0.99
In space, no one can hear you scream, especially if you’re a mute protagonist of the Gordon Freeman school, bent on saving your mining ship from certain doom at the hands of an alien freakshow. Yeah, we like this game. You will, too, and it’s WAY less pricey right now.


Shadow Guardian – Was $6.99, now $0.99
While our reviewer found it a touch too pricey at seven bucks, Shadow Guardian HD shouldn’t be a problem for anyone at a dollar. Give this Uncharted clone by Gameloft a try for a lot less cash.

Gameloft has frequently done a good job of re-envisioning distinctly familiar console gaming hits, whether it be Uncharted in the form of Shadow Guardian or World of Warcraft-like Order & Chaos Online. Perhaps the most consistent of these homages has been the Gangstar series with Gangstar West Coast Hustle and more recently Gangstar: Miami Vindication heavily borrowing from the Grand Theft Auto series and being just as enjoyable. So it makes sense to see another Gangstar title coming soon.

Gangstar Rio: City of Saints promises the same addictive Grand Theft Auto style gameplay but with all new weapons, vehicles, storyline and a whole new place to explore. Not much else has been announced but we do have a Gameplay trailer to gaze over. It’s looking pretty good and certainly graphically impressive for iOS devices.

Take a look below. We’ll be sure to keep track of Gangstar Rio: City of Saints’ development.

Gameloft has just announced an end of the summer/back to school sale on 8 of their most popular iOS titles. That means they’re all available for only $0.99 each.

Here’s the scoop on exactly what’s on offer:

Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six: Shadow Vanguard: My pick of the bunch having loved it on the iPhone earlier this year. Priced at $6.99, it was a fantastic game. At only $0.99 each for the iPhone and iPad versions, this is guaranteed to be an ideal purchase for any strategy shooter fans.

$6.99

Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six®: Shadow Vanguard

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad

Our Rating: :: FANTASTIC
Read Our Full Review >>

Released: 2011-03-17 :: Category: Games

$6.99

Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six®: Shadow Vanguard HD

iPad Only App - Designed for the iPad
Released: 2011-07-14 :: Category: Games

Reviewed favourably earlier this year, Shadow Guardian will look immediately familiar to Uncharted fans.

$5.99

Shadow Guardian

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad

Our Rating: :: SOILED TREASURE
Read Our Full Review >>

Released: 2010-12-16 :: Category: Games

$6.99

Shadow Guardian HD

iPad Only App - Designed for the iPad
Released: 2010-12-16 :: Category: Games

Another homage to a great, there’s Rogue Planet which looks a heck of a lot like Advance Wars. This is a very good thing.

$4.99

Rogue Planet

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2009-11-23 :: Category: Games

There are also discounts for the Gameloft Action Pack and Sports Pack, each providing three games in all for only $0.99!

The Gameloft Action Pack comes with Hero of Sparta, Blades of Fury and Brothers in Arms, while the Sports Pack comes with Let’s Golf, Real Tennis and Pro Baseball.

$4.99

Gameloft Action Pack

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2010-06-30 :: Category: Games

$4.99

Gameloft Sports Pack

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2010-03-15 :: Category: Games

Also dropped in price is James Cameron’s Avatar but we reckon it’s more for avid fans of the film rather than being a must have title in its own right.

$4.99

James Cameron's Avatar

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad

Our Rating: ::
Read Our Full Review >>

Released: 2009-12-14 :: Category: Games

$4.99

James Cameron's Avatar for iPad

iPad Only App - Designed for the iPad
Released: 2010-04-23 :: Category: Games

Finally, there’s a price drop for Zombie Infection which we rather enjoyed last year as well as a price drop for Prince of Persia: Warrior Within.

$4.99

Zombie Infection

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad

Our Rating: :: WORTHY OF SURVIVAL
Read Our Full Review >>

Released: 2010-05-10 :: Category: Games

$4.99

Zombie Infection HD

iPad Only App - Designed for the iPad
Released: 2010-07-15 :: Category: Games

$2.99

Prince of Persia: Warrior Within

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad

Our Rating: :: CONSOLE GOODNESS
Read Our Full Review >>

Released: 2010-06-03 :: Category: Games

$4.99

Prince of Persia: Warrior Within HD

iPad Only App - Designed for the iPad
Released: 2010-09-16 :: Category: Games

All these games are on sale for a limited time only so get buying now rather than later!

Having been big fans of Modern Combat 2: Black Pegasus, we’re pretty excited to announce that Modern Combat 3: Fallen Nation is on its way to iOS devices this fall.

Not many details have been released yet but the key facts are as follows:

• An intense 13-mission campaign with immersive cinematics and memorable moments.
• A frantic multiplayer with up to 12 players, 6 maps and 6 different modes.
• An addictive ranking system with more than 90 experience ranks.
• High-tech modern weaponry with modifications and attachments.
• Next-gen high quality visuals that will compete with the RAGE and UNREAL engines.

Visuals that promise to compete with the RAGE and UNREAL engines sound particularly exciting and looking at the two screenshots released so far and the trailer, high hopes are understandable.

For those yet to play Modern Combat 2: Black Pegasus, this is the ideal time as currently both iPhone and iPad versions are on sale at a very reasonable $0.99 each.

Roll on Fall for the third instalment!

$6.99

Modern Combat 2: Black Pegasus

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad

Our Rating: :: SOLID
Read Our Full Review >>

Released: 2010-10-07 :: Category: Games

$6.99

Modern Combat 2: Black Pegasus HD

iPad Only App - Designed for the iPad
Released: 2010-10-21 :: Category: Games

All we want to do is acquire your brains! It’s not unreasonable, I mean no one’s gonna merge with your eyes.

On This Episode:

Who We Are:

Contact The Show: Email | Twitter

Music:

“Beatnes7 (Theme to The Portable Podcast)” by The Eternal – Download on iTunes here:

How to Listen:

Apps Mentioned in this Episode:

$2.99

Plants vs. Zombies

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad

Our Rating: :: Grows on you
Read Our Full Review >>

Released: 2010-02-15 :: Category: Games

$6.99

THE KING OF FIGHTERS-i-

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad

Our Rating: :: A GREAT BRAWL
Read Our Full Review >>

Released: 2011-07-07 :: Category: Games

$11.99

デススマイルズ

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad

Our Rating: :: POSITIVELY RADIANT
Read Our Full Review >>

Released: 2011-07-07 :: Category: Games

$6.99

9mm

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad

Our Rating: :: TRAGIC MISFIRE
Read Our Full Review >>

Released: 2011-07-14 :: Category: Games

I think it would be fairly safe to say that James Bond is not only a popular film character, but an amazing spy to boot.  Channeling this collection of awesomeness, the last game that I was shown in my grand tour of Gameloft Grand Central Station at E3 was the espionage inspired Silent Ops.  Though this was the game that was furthest from being released, it easily shared the most promise of any of their games at the show.  Well, that will remain true as long as they can clean up on the rough build they had on display at the show.

This unique third person action game is very much inspired by the high tech, fast paced spy world of 007.  Players will have the opportunity to choose from any one of three different operatives, all with their own specific skills and specialties.  Each of these operatives are a member of a super-secret organization that’s sole directive is to protect the world from evil masterminds all around the globe.  Are you up to the task?

What we were able to play, while in dire need of play testing, showed true glimmers of what could an outstanding undercover thriller.  Much of the demo centered around infiltrating a high tech facility, using Splinter Cell style tactics that would bring a smile to Sam Fisher’s face.  The problem was that much of the mechanics needed to be tweaked, in order to make the mission objectives more straight foward.

Issues aside the core game present was still enough to get me excited to see where the game would be going.  If they can manage to meet even a quarter of my expectations for a spy centric game world, I would be more than thrilled.  I guess all of us will have to sit back and see what information on the project is released as the game inches closer to release later this year.



Golf is one of the genres of sport that transcends the fairways of Augusta National and transitions well to a digital gaming format.  For this very reason golf titles have become increasingly popular on the App Store.  Never one to miss out on an opportunity to bring another game to market, Gameloft happily showed off the newest installment in their popular Let’s Golf franchise at this years E3.  148Apps were able to get exclusive hands on time with the upcoming game, but believe us when we say that if you have played one, you have played them all.

Short of receiving a yearly refresh to a sports series, something akin to yearly updates to Madden, you would think that it might be difficult to find enough improvements to a game to justify a yearly update.  Defying this apparent misconception, Let’s Golf 3 is back for another round of Hot Shots Golf inspired trips to the links, with a much needed dash of originality thrown in for good measure.

As far as updates go, this title is primarily focused on tremendously augmenting the currently stagnating online gaming ecosystem within the franchise.  For example, now players can take part in matches with up to four people at one time via WiFi or Bluetooth.  Better yet, the team at Gameloft has responded to the cries of their fans and added in a “couch play” version of the multiplayer as well, that only requires the use of one iOS device. Going along the same line of game enhancements, players will now have the ability to create their own avatars, for use in the game.  You will even have the ability to level up your character’s skills and attributes using coins that can be earned throughout gameplay.

For more details on Let’s Golf 3, as well as more of the features to be revealed later this summer, be sure to keep an eye right here on 148Apps.



With popular developer, Gameloft, people seem to forget the developer and publisher’s humble first forays onto the iOS platform in the form of Block Breaker Deluxe 2.  Nearly three years later, the studio has decided to return their breakout gaming roots, debuting their newest installment in the franchise at E3 2011.  However, this time out busting bricks are just the beginning.

Remember the days of early iPhone gaming when everyone was rocking out to Block Breaker’s psychedelic visuals, purely because it was one of the only games on the plaftorm?  The game was in heavy rotation on my device, so you can just imagine my glee when during my meeting with Gameloft at E3, I was handed an iPhone equipped with the previously undisclosed iOS installment of Block Breaker 3 Unlimited.  From the word go it is very apparent that the franchise is back and better than ever, with a few much appreciated tweaks.

First off, instead of clearing each room and then waiting to have the screen rebuild the next map, now players actually have to navigate their ball into the next room through a doorway.  On the surface this may not seem like that big of a deal, but when there are branching rooms, this could lead to interesting new ways to traverse the title’s one hundred stages.  Also lets not forget about the power-ups, because there are going to be many returning favorites, along with a few newbies to mix up the already frantic action.

When you combine these features with a new map editor and eight different gameplay modes to complete each stage in, you can count on this package stealing quite a bit of your time when it launches later this year.

At risk of beating the proverbial dead horse, it remains no secret that GameLoft has had much success with developing extremely similar ‘homages’ to popular games for iOS.  In a rare attempt to break this cycle, the developer debuted 9MM at E3 2011.  While it was supposed to be considered a completely new idea, not borrowing from other games that are on the market, I couldn’t help but shake the feeling that this was disturbingly close to True Crime: Streets of LA, a game that previously existed in the last console generation.  That said, this is a completely new idea to the iOS that is totally worth exploring.

Players strap on the concealed holster of cop John “Loose” Kannon.  Despite the terribly cliched character name, Kannon is a crime fighting machine that takes action first and asks questions later.  His brand of renegade justice has worked well in the past, but when he steals millions of dollars from a drug lord after murdering a sibling, things get very hairy, very quickly.

Featuring a slow-motion bullet time mode that might be ripped from such groundbreaking titles like Max Payne, 9MM takes on the crime drama genre of gaming with all the subtlety of a shotgun blast to the chest.  Players will be running and gunning from place to place, wiping out any thugs that step in their path.  This style of gameplay is all fun and dandy, but the storyline needs to at least be on par with the action in order to urge gamers to continue to progress further.  As far as we could tell, the game mechanics remain solid, but we will have to wait and see how this wildcard plays out before making any final conclusions.

Keep an eye out for our full review when the game hits the App Store later this summer.