Epic Games Launches 'Infinity Blade' - an Unreal-Based Game for iPhone and iPad

[spercharged69]

If you think there isn't any gameplay in Infinity Blade, you either haven't played it, or you're just flailing your finger wildly. If that's the case, you could also say there's no gameplay in Street Fighter because all you have to do is roll your face across the controller. My point is, doing well in either game requires a considerable amount of technique, which is where the gameplay actually lies.

 

[sharpycl]

Fun game! Graphics are amazing!

Good job Epic

 

[0098386]

I find it comical that so many people expect a full PC, XBox-360 or PS3 experience from a hand-held game that cost barely more than our morning cup of "Starbucks" (which most of us finish within 20 to 30 minutes). That's America today; Everything for free or next to nothing! And it had better be Great!

No, us gamers expect something with a bit more depth than this. As I said before - there are GBA, hell even GB games with more content and depth than this game. It really is graphics over gameplay, if you can even call it gameplay.

There are 59p iOS games with more gameplay.

Ehhhh, I have to wonder if some of the people here have ever played games before. This game is mediocre at best, and I only give it a mediocre because it looks nice. From a pure gameplay standpoint its terrible in relation to quality titles on the handhelds Apple believes it can some day compete with. I'll stick with Angry Birds.

Truer words were never spoken.

 

[Irishman]

it bugs me that developers make awesome quality native games for iOS but won't make that extra mile for OS X.

I see this as a good thing for OSX gaming.

Wanna know why? Sure you do.

iOS games that do well (think Rage, Angry Birds, Plants vs. Zombies) will inevitably get an OSX version ported over in much shorter order than a Windows port (and it will be better).

Gaming on iOS devices will be a gateway drug to the full-on Mac experience.

 

[Rot'nApple]

"If you were expecting Infinity Blade to be some massive open-world RPG and any number of other things I've seen people on our forums suggesting, you're going to be sorely disappointed. If all you were looking for is a fighting game with a really cool input method that fits perfectly with iOS devices, you're going to be in for a treat. The RPG elements are very light, but the fighting is solid, and the graphics are the best we've seen so far on the App Store."

Someone in the know, what does RPG mean? Thanks.

 

[Irishman]

No, us gamers expect something with a bit more depth than this. As I said before - there are GBA, hell even GB games with more content and depth than this game. It really is graphics over gameplay, if you can even call it gameplay.

There are 59p iOS games with more gameplay.



Truer words were never spoken.

Meh. I think you're expecting a truck to be a car here. In that sense, you're bound to be disappointed.

 

[Irishman]

The problem is, there's plenty of better titles with more content and gameplay than this for that price point or lower. The problem is not trying to sell an iOS game for 5.99$, it's trying to sell a game with 0.99$ content for 5.99$.

This is a game engine demo, nothing more, nothing less. Now let's see real game companies take this and make games with it.

iOS gaming is still in its infancy, folks.

Expecting its "Citizen Kane" at this early point would be setting up unrealistically high expectations.

 

[ZilogZ80]

"If you were expecting Infinity Blade to be some massive open-world RPG and any number of other things I've seen people on our forums suggesting, you're going to be sorely disappointed. If all you were looking for is a fighting game with a really cool input method that fits perfectly with iOS devices, you're going to be in for a treat. The RPG elements are very light, but the fighting is solid, and the graphics are the best we've seen so far on the App Store."

Someone in the know, what does RPG mean? Thanks.

It means "Role Playing Game" and originally described something like Dungeons & Dragons wherein you pretended to be the character you were playing, like acting.

The modern meaning has become somewhat changed though and any game where you can improve the effectiveness of your character(s) and his weapons/armour etc as you make progress is said to have 'role playing elements' these days.

 

[spencers]

I call this a graphics engine demo, Not a game.

Epic Citadel was the graphics engine demo.

I am literally lost for words. This game is so empty and shallow, it just looks pretty. There are Gameboy Advance RPGs with more depth and gameplay than this.

Yet people are rating it so high?

Gaming weeps.

Sigh. You folks don't realize that you have to start somewhere!
Games like this will only get better and more complex with time!

iOS gaming is still in its infancy, folks.

Expecting its "Citizen Kane" at this early point would be setting up unrealistically high expectations.

Exactomundo!

I see this as a good thing for OSX gaming.
Wanna know why? Sure you do.
iOS games that do well (think Rage, Angry Birds, Plants vs. Zombies) will inevitably get an OSX version ported over in much shorter order than a Windows port (and it will be better).
Gaming on iOS devices will be a gateway drug to the full-on Mac experience.

I was just thinking the very same thing last night. Apple's App Store for OSX will likely bring these games to an even larger market.

 

[kicolas]

nice graphics, it really looks awsome.
Gameplay is fun and the game uses touch screen in an efficient way.
But am I the only one to get low framerate (variable) and frame drop ??
It seems worse on iphone 4 then 3gs (because retina..)

LOT better then Rage !

 

[KnightWRX]

iOS gaming is still in its infancy, folks.

Expecting its "Citizen Kane" at this early point would be setting up unrealistically high expectations.

My example was only about iOS gaming. Your comment doesn't even begin to refute what I said. On the App Store, there's plenty of games with more content at the same 5.99$ or at a lower price point.

Comparing to other games on the App Store for iOS, Infinity Blade has about 0.99$'s worth of content.

This isn't about iOS being in its infancy at all. A lot of other devs have shown that there's more depth to be had for 5.99$ than this provides. This is a tech demo for the Unreal Engine on iOS.

 

[benpatient]

iOS gaming is still in its infancy, folks.

Expecting its "Citizen Kane" at this early point would be setting up unrealistically high expectations.

Infancy? 2.5 years in the technology world is at least a couple of decades by 20th century hollywood standards.

Besides, it isn't like Epic hasn't ever made a game before.

You don't push "reset" on the "how does gameplay work" button every time a new console comes out. It's just a different interface, not a different field of study.

Mario on a Wii is still just Mario. And yet, they managed to make Mario Galaxy more fun than earlier games in a lot of ways. They took what they learned and advanced upon it, while taking advantage of the new tools (motion control) to add some new gameplay mechanics. Just being on the Wii didn't make it a better game.

 

[RawBert]

On the App Store, there's plenty of games with more content at the same 5.99$ or at a lower price point.

Big deal. It's six bucks! Why do you care if anyone buys it? What, are you trying to convince us not to?

You know, just to spite you, I'm buying this game.

 

[Cynicalone]

It's incredible on the iPhone 4.

Really can't believe they are doing this on a cell phone. The iPhone/iOS has come a long way in a little over 3 years.

If you have both an iPad and iPhone 4 try it on the 4 the graphics with the Retina Display are amazing.

 

[Merthyrboy]

A few of you have been comparing this to rage and that was shocking in my opinion. It was a waste of money and I didn't even attempt other levels because I didn't like the game that much. Don't think it was really my best game to be honest but it wasn't what it was hyped up to be either. This on the other hand is much better. I prefer the old controls better than the tap to go to the monster bit but maybe the game become too difficult if it was a free world so to speak. I personally can't wait for the multi player features to come into it and hopefully beat all my friends at it but until then I've got to keep practicing I guess

 

[iBaloney]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 4_1 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/532.9 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0.5 Mobile/8B117 Safari/6531.22.7)

Wow after reading all your guys' input, I'm kinda glad i didnt jump on this

 

[vini-vidi-vici]

Watched the video review at IGN. As much as I wanted to like it, and it looks beautiful, there's a couple of major flaws.

First, it's a total grindfest dungeon crawler, with that looks like a limited number of monsters. I mean, literally you keep fighting the same boss over and over, who just gets tougher each time. RPG elements limited to picking up random equipment upgrades.

Second, the fighting system, at least as the IGN reviewer displayed it, looks not "sweet" but instead like it responds well to movements from an ADD child high on speed and 4Loko. There doesn't seem to be much strategy aside from touching the right dodge button or guessing the correct swing direction for a sword parry. Sort of like one of the arm-flailing Wii sword games transposed to iPhone.

I have to say, the amount of free press Epic is getting on this (including Engadget) is ridiculous. There are some other apps in the store that are much more deserving of hype than this.

Dude... it's $6.

 

[BC2009]

This will never sell.

Bold words from a nobody.

The little winking smiley let's you know he is using sarcasm. You misread Hal Itosis' original post. I'm guessing Hal Itsosis already bought the game and is busy playing it.

 

[gloss]

If a computer/console gamer through the 80's and 90's had been in a coma for the past decade and read that $5.99 was considered expensive for a cutting edge game today, they probably would lapse right back into their coma.

qft.

I remember when Phantasy Star IV for the Genesis ran $120.

 

[vini-vidi-vici]

about that price...

I always consider pricing games relative to first-run movies. I'll pay ~$9 for a good first run movie, which lasts about 2 hours. So, that's about $4.50 / hour of enjoyment. So, if I have fun with a $6 game for 1.5 hours... and then am bored with it and never touch it again... I got a good deal. Not sure why people expect much more than this. I mean, how many hours of your life do you have to devote to a game anyway? I suppose the younger among us have more time for things like this... I still enjoy a good game, but don't have the time for anything very in-depth.

 

[BC2009]

Someone in the know, what does RPG mean? Thanks.

It means "Role Playing Game" and originally described something like Dungeons & Dragons wherein you pretended to be the character you were playing, like acting.

The modern meaning has become somewhat changed though and any game where you can improve the effectiveness of your character(s) and his weapons/armour etc as you make progress is said to have 'role playing elements' these days.

Good answer. I would add that while upgrading weapons, armor, and skills is great, the best RPG's let you actually "role play" by having your actions craft the personality of your character/avatar (i.e.: your actions affect the outcome and gameplay). If you are ruthless, then you will find common citizens fearing you instead of cheering you. If you are trustworthy, then you may find you can form alliances better. The sort of missions or quests you receive may depend on your previous actions and the reputation you have built.

I was wondering if folks have some good recommendations for RPG's they have played (iOS or not) that let your actions shape the reputation of your character/avatar?

 

[KnightWRX]

Big deal. It's six bucks! Why do you care if anyone buys it? What, are you trying to convince us not to?

You know, just to spite you, I'm buying this game.

I'm not convincing you nor do I care if anyone else buys it. What do you care if I don't buy it ?

You know, just to spite you, I'm not buying this game.



Just stating my opinion that it is overpriced for a tech demo. If you don't like other people's opinion, you have no place being on a forum.

Good answer. I would add that while upgrading weapons, armor, and skills is great, the best RPG's let you actually "role play" by having your actions craft the personality of your character/avatar (i.e.: your actions affect the outcome and gameplay). If you are ruthless, then you will find common citizens fearing you instead of cheering you. If you are trustworthy, then you may find you can form alliances better. The sort of missions or quests you receive may depend on your previous actions and the reputation you have built.

I was wondering if folks have some good recommendations for RPG's they have played (iOS or not) that let your actions shape the reputation of your character/avatar?

CRPGs, except for things like Ultima/Fable, have never really been actual RPGs like their table-top counterparts where your actions have influence on the world around you. Most CRPGs have been adventure games with statistics, where you follow a linear or semi-linear story. That's just been the accepted definition of RPG when it comes to video games.

 

[zweigand]

The problem is, there's plenty of better titles with more content and gameplay than this for that price point or lower. The problem is not trying to sell an iOS game for 5.99$, it's trying to sell a game with 0.99$ content for 5.99$.

This is a game engine demo, nothing more, nothing less. Now let's see real game companies take this and make games with it.

I think you guys have lost all comprehension of a dollar's worth. Paying $6 is less than I spend on a sandwich from Subway. Not only that, but this game is going to be updated with more features. More items, foes, and areas …as well as multiplayer via game center. Even if it wasn't, I've already played it for a couple hours (longer than the average $8 cinema) and feel like I've gotten more than my money's worth out of it.

In my opinion it's a very fun game. And it's universal so I have it on my iPod Touch AND my iPad (and probably on the wife's iPhone 4 too).

 

[tropic10]

Blame the general lack of depth of all iOS games on the race to $0.99 and the public's unwillingness to pay anything more than a few bucks. Developers can't afford to sink a lot of time and expense into these titles.

 

[ReallyBigFeet]

If a computer/console gamer through the 80's and 90's had been in a coma for the past decade and read that $5.99 was considered expensive for a cutting edge game today, they probably would lapse right back into their coma.

Amen. I was developing and selling video games in the 80's and we thought when the NES started releasing games at $49.99 that it would kill our profits!

I recognize that most 99 cent games don't have near the depth or production value of a console or PC game, but for the money I'm not expecting that either. If something gives me 8-10 hours of play value on my iPhone for 99 cents or even $5, that's a pretty good bargain. I've spent $50 on games that I was able to finish in under 5 hours before.