Billy Frontier

Developer: Pangea Software Inc.
Price: $5.99
Version Reviewed: 1.0

Graphics / Sound [rating:4/5]
Game Controls [rating:3/5]
Re-use / Replay Value [rating:3/5]
Overall Rating:

Billy Frontier is set of 3D mini-games set as a space cowboy action game. This game consists of 4 different mini-games all featuring Billy Frontier, the hero of our story.

Mini-game 1: Shootout -- in this mini-game you are wandering the streets and shooting at the bad guys while collecting coins and extra ammo. You have to get to the end before your shield runs out (from getting shot at). This mini-game holds the most promise of the four. But it just gets maddening at times due to the control system. You point at the screen where you want to shoot -- tap to shoot -- drag on the screen to aim your sight. At times you have a very small target area to hit for the imprecise control system used. Some work needs to be done to fix up the controls. I might suggest a 2 finger shooting system -- one finger held to the screen to control the placement of the sight and a second to trigger a shot. I don't know if that's the answer, but better controls or larger targets are needed.

Mini-game 2: Stampede -- this mini-game is pretty simple -- guide the ever running Billy left and right by tilting the phone. Avoid the kanga-cows and collect coins for extra points. There are also chiles throughout the course that you can run over to give you extra speed. To complete this level you need to finish first. A fun little game but each level is perhaps a little too long.

Mini-game 3: Target Practice -- in this mini game, various objects are thrown up in the air, and you shoot them. Simple? Yeah, but fun. You shoot ammo boxes to stock up on bullets. The level ends when you run out of ammo, time, or your shield goes to zero. Shoot TNT barrels and your shield goes down. Shoot a skull and you die. To complete the level you need to live until the timer runs out. Fun, good graphics and sound.

Mini-game 4: Dueling -- this is the one mini-game that doesn't really fit in with the others. When you start this game there is a mini movie going on the screen that you just can't seem to stop. You are shown a series of shapes at the bottom and you must hit the corresponding shapes on the sides of the screen in the same order, quickly. Very quickly. I've only managed to get past one of these levels before the inevitable happens, Billy gets it. This mini-game is too difficult, I think, and not an arcade game like the others. It's more of a Dance Dance Revolution pattern game. Again the control system is a little rough -- taps sometimes are not registered -- which leads to a missed pattern and lost time.

Here's a YouTube video that gives you an overview of the game.
[youtube Ap5d6FQaTSc]

While the game is not without it's control difficulties, it is a good, diverse game that is well rendered in 3D. Having the 4 mini-games provides good value for the price. When this game was initially released it was priced at 50% off for a couple days. At that price this game is a steal! Here's hoping that the minor control difficulties can be worked out to make this a truly great game.