WWDC Featured 'Kroll' Game Arrives

[MacRumors]

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif (http://www.macrumors.com)


http://images.macrumors.com/article/2008/09/29/160928-971999.jpg


Apple CEO Steve Jobs wowed the crowd during the company’s World Wide Developer Conference back in June with demos of various iPhone games that were in development for eventual App Store release. One of the more impressive titles was Digital Legends‘ (http://www.digital-legends.com/) Kroll.

Kroll appeared in the App Store today as a $7.99 download. Kroll is described as a (http://toucharcade.com/2008/09/29/side-scrolling-fighter-kroll-nears-app-store-release/) 3D-rendered side-scrolling fighter divided into three chapters, each of which includes three levels plus a boss battle. The game is controlled by touching six icons arrayed about the edges of the iPhone’s screen. Said controls consist of left / right movement, left / right quick attacks, and left / right delivery of slower, more powerful attacks.

A video posted back in June gives a taste of the game, but actual visual may have changed since this video was produced:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JiC76GTOMq0


App Store Link: http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=291971999&mt=8

Article Link (http://www.macrumors.com/iphone/2008/09/29/wwdc-featured-kroll-game-arrives/)

[Niiro13]

So there's nine levels? Hopefully this game isn't short and that the levels are long.

[fredsarran]

So there's nine levels? Hopefully this game isn't short and that the levels are long.

Indeed I hope the same. Otherwise I am really happy that it is finally out. I have been waiting patiently and now I buy it.

[spyker3292]

Looks good. I think I'll get it soon...

[zirkle2007]

Someone get it and let us know if its any good. I'm very tired of wasting money on games that look good but end up sucking. I wish more developers would see there is a desire for good in-depth games on the iPhone. Its not just an average cell phone. It could be a whole new handheld gaming device if people developed for it.

[diesel]

i think there are plenty of great looking, great playing games..........the problem is the replayability factor. they look great and play great, for only a short period of time, i.e. less than a month at which point its just money wasted. devs need to take advantage of the iphone's online/networking ability and offer more multiplayer/online type options so we won't get bored so quick. galcon is a great example of a game if it were not for the multiplayer aspect, i think i would have gotten bored with it in less than a couple of weeks.

[yoman]

Someone get it and let us know if its any good. I'm very tired of wasting money on games that look good but end up sucking. I wish more developers would see there is a desire for good in-depth games on the iPhone. Its not just an average cell phone. It could be a whole new handheld gaming device if people developed for it.

I think one cause of the hindrance of in-depth app development for the iPhone is the "relatively" low price these apps are selling for. A developer may not wish to invest heavily in a game that will only sell for $10 or less.

Just my 2 cents.

[zirkle2007]

I think one cause of the hindrance of in-depth app development for the iPhone is the "relatively" low price these apps are selling for. A developer may not wish to invest heavily in a game that will only sell for $10 or less.

Just my 2 cents.

The market seems to be there though. Even for $10 or $15 if they make a good game there are enough people to buy it they'll money.

[slapppy]

LOL.. I spend way too much on the App store already, but I'm buying this anyway. :p

[EvanLugh]

Hmm as much as I hate saying this and think i (should) volunteer myself, I think i'll wait on this one until good reviews/replay value scores are out.
Not really into the troll type games but the video from toucharcade does look good.

[bigmc6000]

I think one cause of the hindrance of in-depth app development for the iPhone is the "relatively" low price these apps are selling for. A developer may not wish to invest heavily in a game that will only sell for $10 or less.

Just my 2 cents.

I think the one exception to this are sports based games. I bought Real Soccer 2009 and I've played, no lie, well over 100 games on it and don't plan on stopping until I have all the trophies (400-500 games) so it's has a HUGE replay-ability factor but that's just me. I like to win all the trophies, records and everything else in sports games.

*For conversion sake that's well over 50 hours of entertainment

[EvanLugh]

I think the one exception to this are sports based games. I bought Real Soccer 2009 and I've played, no lie, well over 100 games on it and don't plan on stopping until I have all the trophies (400-500 games) so it's has a HUGE replay-ability factor but that's just me. I like to win all the trophies, records and everything else in sports games.

*For conversion sake that's well over 50 hours of entertainment

A little off topic but my god you're completely right, RS09 has huge replay value.

[bigmc6000]

A little off topic but my god you're completely right, RS09 has huge replay value.

Yep, there's a reason that madden is always the #1 video game. There are no "levels" and you can never technically beat the game because every single game is always different. You basically just stop playing when you feel as though you've accomplished enough (some it's 1 super bowl, some it's 10) to say you've throughly owned the game! :)

[whooleytoo]

Playing it now. Interface is beautiful, game looks and sounds great.

Gameplay seems a bit limited thus far (only on 1st level), forward/backward, big hit or little hit, and that's about it. Still, fun so far! Controls are very easy :)

Edit - Seems short though. I'm about half-way through after less than 20 minutes of play.

[arn]

First impressions. The visuals are very impressive. Great looking game.

The controls work well. The gameplay, however, is very simple. There is move left/right, fast attack left/right and slow attack left/right.

So you are just hitting attack a lot and running through. The Boss fights are even more simplistic - basically it’s one big cut-scene. Big boss appears and this icon appears at certain moments and you have to press the icon very quickly. If you don’t, you get killed. If you do hit the icon at the right moment, it branches to a cut scene where you dodge/fight in some elaborate manner. You have to press the icon about 4-5 times at the right moment to make it through a boss fight.

not sure if there's going to be much replay value.

arn

[fredsarran]

Playing it now. Interface is beautiful, game looks and sounds great.

Gameplay seems a bit limited thus far (only on 1st level), forward/backward, big hit or little hit, and that's about it. Still, fun so far! Controls are very easy :)

I agree. I finished the first chapter in 5m and there is another 2 chapters before I finished the game (a few levels per chapters).

The problem with this game is the amount of levels. Is it really worth to pay for a game that you finish in 20m ?? Too late, I payed for it and just for the ambiance, it is worth it. I really hope the update it and add levels.

[sano80]

Playing it now. Interface is beautiful, game looks and sounds great.

Gameplay seems a bit limited thus far (only on 1st level), forward/backward, big hit or little hit, and that's about it. Still, fun so far! Controls are very easy :)

Same feelings here... great technical achievement but the gameplay is limited, repetitive and flat. No jumps, no other interaction besides the combat with really easy and static enemies; and the boss fights, at least the first one, is just a quick time event where you touch some icons on the screen while the action goes on. But just like you, i've played only the first level, so i'm still keeping my fingers crossed for something more than that further in the game...

[EvanLugh]

First impressions. The visuals are very impressive. Great looking game.

The controls work well. The gameplay, however, is very simple. There is move left/right, fast attack left/right and slow attack left/right.

So you are just hitting attack a lot and running through. The Boss fights are even more simplistic - basically it’s one big cut-scene. Big boss appears and this icon appears at certain moments and you have to press the icon very quickly. If you don’t, you get killed. If you do hit the icon at the right moment, it branches to a cut scene where you dodge/fight in some elaborate manner. You have to press the icon about 4-5 times at the right moment to make it through a boss fight.

not sure if there's going to be much replay value.

arn

Alright cool, thanks Arnold. Seems like a pretty simple game with good graphics - not sure if it's worth investing in. Perhaps updates could bring more levels?
Is it possible to change the skill level?
Thanks

[Rybold]

So you're telling me that the iPhone has enough processing power and cache to render all of those 3D graphics, yet it can't even handle the simple Apps that keep crashing ... and not enough cache to be able to click "back" in Safari without having to reload the page ?????????????????? :confused::confused::confused::confused::confused:

[t0mat0]

So you're telling me that the iPhone has enough processing power and cache to render all of those 3D graphics, yet it can't even handle the simple Apps that keep crashing ... and not enough cache to be able to click "back" in Safari without having to reload the page ?????????????????? :confused::confused::confused::confused::confused:
APp crashing can be completely unrelated to power and cache.
And clicking back in Safari does a reload rather than a cache back. Which is a decision in a way to do that. It certainly helps on overheads i'd imagine to do it that way.

[tjcampbell]

I think one cause of the hindrance of in-depth app development for the iPhone is the "relatively" low price these apps are selling for. A developer may not wish to invest heavily in a game that will only sell for $10 or less.

Just my 2 cents.

Are you nuts?

They don't have to distribute - so no shipping, packaging or shelving costs!!!!

They can actually make far more money this way.

[Eric5h5]

They don't have to distribute - so no shipping, packaging or shelving costs!!!!

Apple takes 30% though.

In any case, I don't see what the big deal is...for, say, $5, just a few hours of decent gameplay would make it worthwhile. You'd spend twice that to go see a movie and that would only last you an hour and a half or so.

--Eric

[vandy1997]

You forgot that there is no spoilage or returns cost (no refunds unless if the game is defective, for the most part), and no transferability - which means that everybody must purchase from the developed, as there is no "used apps" market once a user gets tired of the game. I imagine that this latter fact is huge for developers!

Are you nuts?

They don't have to distribute - so no shipping, packaging or shelving costs!!!!

They can actually make far more money this way.

[roland.g]

I'm still looking for a good golf game for the iPhone, figuring that the replay factor on that should be good. I heard that even with the price drop that Par 72 Golf was just too unrealistic and poorly written to bother playing, but have more hope for Nuclear Nova's GL Golf though I have yet to take the plunge there either as the graphics are rather uninspiring. As a old Links and Links LS fan, and a Tiger Woods for the Mac fan, I hope someone develops a good golf game with good graphics. The golf game on my Nokia 8801 was actually pretty good. I wouldn't mind seeing an NHL hockey game as well.

[arn]

gameplay video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Leq76WolEVc

arn

[whooleytoo]

Hmm.. got to the final boss, missed the first "hit". Game over. No save points, so have to go back 3 levels to the start of the Chapter. I guess that's one way of extending play time.

Probably the most graphically impressive game on the iPhone. I like the way the camera angle constantly changes too, freshens things up a bit.

[Detlev]

Agreed. Game play is very simple. There was mention that there were hidden moves using the accelerometer. Anyone find them? I did not. Story, graphics and soundtrack are very good. There are no sound controls. Even though the effects are not offensive they do get tedious. The game is short. Should go over well with the tweens. It's worth the eight bucks at least.

p.s. RSoccer09 is definitely played the most here. Every phone and pod has it. Too bad there isn't multi player mode—yet.

[whooleytoo]

There was mention that there were hidden moves using the accelerometer. Anyone find them? I did not.

I think you have to keep killing things until the Blue gauge fills up and starts blinking then you can execute a special move either by shaking the iPhone or by tapping on the character.

[Yvan256]

[...] The Boss fights are even more simplistic - basically it’s one big cut-scene. Big boss appears and this icon appears at certain moments and you have to press the icon very quickly. If you don’t, you get killed. If you do hit the icon at the right moment, it branches to a cut scene where you dodge/fight in some elaborate manner. You have to press the icon about 4-5 times at the right moment to make it through a boss fight. [...]

Ok, so the boss fights are the same as games like Dragon's Lair. Makes for impressive visuals but not really interactive gameplay.

[slicecom]

I'm very tired of wasting money on games that look good but end up sucking.

x2 I've decided to stop buying iPhone games altogether. I will only buy utilities from now on.

[Daremo]

This game is simple, and pretty damn fun actually. Although, it crashed on me at the final boss, and I have to do level 3 over again. :mad:

Cool game. $4.99 would be more fair, but it's still entertaining.

[whooleytoo]

Pro:
- This game looks and sounds great. It's a good omen of the quality of games to come. (Can't wait to see what id come up with).

Con:
- Waaaay too short. Developers need to get out of this "it's a mobile game, 1 hour of gameplay is fine" mentality. Personally, I'd rather pay 20 euros for an iPhone game with depth and variety of gameplay; than 2 or 3 euros for a game that's over in an hour with limited replayability.

[bluelondon]

i;ve spent too much on apps and games that i dont use, and as nice as this game looks i think i'll pass. i want some real challenging games with depth.

[Max E Verde]

Also agree that Real Soccer 09 is the most re-playable game. I've only tried for 1 trophy yet i've played at least 50 complete games. Hoping for more sports games, football, basketball, hockey, baseball, etc.

I bought Kroll this morning and beat it on Normal in about 20 minutes. Great graphics and even though all you do is press 2 buttons to hit, it's still pretty fun. I still want to play more cause I want to try and beat it on Hard and Insane, but yes it is a very short game.

[jarofclay73]

For some reason I cannot finish Chapter III.

[whooleytoo]

For some reason I cannot finish Chapter III.

a) It's very hard. You need to react very fast.
b) The game tends to run out of memory and quit at this point (at least it used to!)

:)