Tag: Archetype »

Archetype, the online multiplayer-focused first-person shooter from Villain, is getting a major content update with the now available 1.5 update. Not only have 12 new maps been added, but a new free for all mode is available as well, with 6 levels of its own to play. As well, the Capture the Flag mode and other maps that were previously only available through the "Frontier" DLC now are available to all players, in an attempt to get more people playing the mode. As well, the game's menus have been redesigned to be more streamlined, and new anti-cheating measures have been implemented, because wanting to exact fictional violence on your opponents is far better than wanting to exact real violence because they're cheating. Archetype HD is getting the exact same updates as well, so iPad shooter fans won't be left out of the new content fun. The game updates are now available in the App Store.

Archetype 1.3.1 is out now, and it brings even more online shooter madness to your iPhone. In the update, there is a new level, a "Rocket Arena" game mode that makes the Pride level "rockets only", and "gyroscopic aim assist", which is the precursor to full gyroscopic controls that will be in a future update.

"Other gameplay improvements include a fix for spawning too close to enemies, a change in the default equipment that starts players with two grenades rather than three to make grenade usage more strategic, and info button that provides information and updates, user controls for inverting yaw and disabling blood effects, automatic screen rotation (iOS4 only), a memory fix for second gen iPod touch owners, and a graphical fix for player who appeared to be holding a melee axe when they had the default rifle."

Be sure to download the latest update for free in the App Store, and prepare for some rocket attacks!

The entire goal of Archetype is to be a first-person shooter that promises no gimmicks, just pure gameplay, so wasting time on a cute opening paragraph seems inappropriate and a waste of time, so the best way to start off a review of Archetype is to just jump in and talk about it. Archetype features little story beyond a CG intro, it's all about the first-person shooter gameplay. This means that unlike Eliminate, there's no system that compels you to buy some sort of consumable in-app item, there's just an experience system and nothing else. This is more of a raw first person shooter experience, and this is what the game focuses on entirely, almost to a fault.

And, well, if you like fast-paced FPS games, and hate consumable in-app purchase elements, Archetype is the game for you. You run around everywhere just killing enemies, picking up weapons and ammo, hunting down enemies using the radar. There's little to no configuration necessary to get into a game. You just choose "Team Deathmatch," and you start searching for games. After a minute or so, you get into a game and you're off and fragging. The game runs great on Wi-Fi and on later generation hardware, but even on older devices like the iPhone 3G, the game is still very playable, and it even works well over cellular data connections. The controls work fairly well, but the right aiming joystick stops moving once you reach the edge of the movement area, instead of constantly scrolling around, making rapid turning a tricky proposition.

Archetype's problem is that there is nothing going on beyond the default mode - it's online team deathmatch or nothing. There's pretty much nothing beyond that - no local wireless multiplayer, no free for all or capture the flag modes, just team deathmatches. The maps all blend together, and the character designs are generic futuristic super soldiers. The whole game largely just feels like an approximation of some other work - there's little to define this game beyond the fact that it exists on the iOS platform. Archetype is desperately crying for more - and one can only hope the developers are out to provide more.

Archetype feels just incomplete. What is here is fun, albeit very generic, but there just isn't much here. If the developers are committed to adding more modes and maps to the game to expand what the game already provides, Archetype could be a killer first-person shooter for iOS, but as it is, Archetype's lack of substance hurts an otherwise solid game.

Villain and Munkyfun Inc. (Shift, Ivory Tiles), have released Archetype, an online FPS built for console style gaming on the iPhone and iPad. “Archetype brings high quality, console-style Pwnage to iPhone and iPod touch first-person shooter fans at an amazing price with absolutely no strings attached,” said Dane Baker, Lead Producer at Villain. “And we’re absolutely thrilled that our game supports the new iPhone 4, as Archetype takes full advantage of the new ‘Retina Display’ technology which results in new owners experiencing an exceptionally phenomenal view of their fragging glory.”

Archetype supports up to ten players per match over WiFi, 3G, and even Edge. Being a console style shooter, the game has a full ranking system, with match pairing services available to prevent beginners from having no chance. With 5 maps, 6 weapons, and 2 grenade types to play with, Archetype looks to keep people entertained for quite some time. Pick it up for $2.99... and of course, there are more screen after the break.

Note from the Editor: Architype is sponsoring 148Apps currently but that had no influence on this article. This is a significant app release for the iPhone/iPod Touch as it represents the latest of very few multiplayer games for the iPhone and even fewer multiplayer FPS games. 148Apps adheres strictly to the principles of editorial and advertising separation as detailed by O.A.T.S.