Highborn by Jet Set Games is a fantasy turn-based tactical strategy and combines some of the best aspects of the genre's top alumni with a healthy dose of tongue-in-cheek comedy. The creators aren't above a bit of fourth-wall action and bless them, they've even included the infamous Wilhelm scream - if that can't win you over, then you might be a bit dead on the inside.
The game's over-world uses a hexagon-grid based movement system, with various environmental hazards providing difficult to move through terrain and even potential cover from retaliation. Each unit in the game has a set movement and attack distance to help plan coordinated strikes against foes, while heroes can also gain special magics from monoliths scattered around the map. Attacking is similar to games like Advance Wars, giving you first strike with a retaliation following if they're capable of one. Various buildings can also provide fire-support to boost your attack and defense capabilities.
Visually the game is just stunning, with colorful Heroes of Might and Magic inspired over-worlds and simply rendered 3D models for the attack sequences. Learning the game will be easy for genre veterans, but those less experienced will need to make use of the in-game help to get a better understanding of the mechanics. Multiplayer is available via turn-based posting using Facebook integration, allowing for multiple games at a time.
And heck, this is only the first chapter of the series! Relatively short, but worth getting on board early.
Description
PLAY AS THE DECAY! HIGHBORN CHAPTER 3, “THE AUDACITY” NOW AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE!
The Decay start off Chapter 3 in quite the predicament, with their leader, Arch-Lich Floyd, trapped in the deepest, darkest dungeon. Time for you to take control of the Decay to fight against the Highborn and figure a way out of this pickle!
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“Highborn comfortably sits as one of the best turn-based strategy games we have played on the iPhone.” – TouchArcade.com
“Combines some of the best aspects of the genre’s top alumni with a healthy dose of tongue-in-cheek comedy. 5 out of 5!” – AppSpy.com
“The iPhone hosts plenty of turn-based strategy games, but few with the humor and pop of Highborn.” – IGN.com
“I would recommend Highborn to strategy game experts and those looking to try one out for the first time too.” – TouchReviews.net
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Check out the Highborn gameplay trailer at http://www.youtube.com/JetSetGames
Highborn for the iPhone and iPod Touch is a casual, turn-based strategy game, perfect for gaming on the go, or for anyone looking for an intelligent, tactical experience without the frenetic play of a traditional real-time strategy game.
Highborn features two types of strategy games in one. Move your army around an overhead map to capture points of interest and receive spells and combat support; then dive into 3D combat to deploy those advantages against an unsuspecting enemy!
All the fun and fighting is set against an irreverent take on the classic good-versus-evil tale. Eight wacky heroes banter about, trading dialogue full of miscommunications and outrageous assumptions.
A LIGHT TOUCH – Enjoy a satisfying strategy experience, no matter if you spend minutes or hours with the game.
TIME FOR A NEW STRATEGY – A unique blend of strategic movement and 3D combat that caters to a variety of gameplay styles and offers immense replayability.
MUTLIPLAY AT YOUR PACE – Think, then act in round-based play via OpenFeint’s 30-million-person community. Have multiple games going at once, and trash-talk your opponents in player-to-player chat.
MANY STYLES OF PLAY – Unlock hero characters for access to different abilities and play styles, along with different strategies to use against your opponents.
ACHIEVE GREATNESS – More than 20 single-player and multiplayer gameplay achievements to unlock, including judicious use of turns, using your monks as bait, and making it through an entire mission without capturing any support structures.
MORE CHALLENGES IN CHAPTER TWO – Double the gameplay with an in-app purchase of Chapter 2 that adds eight new missions, new enemies and allies, and multiple new structures, like factories and teleporters.
SWITCH SIDES IN CHAPTER THREE – Take control of the Decay in an in-app purchase, and fight against the Highborn through eight hilarious new missions. Even more new units, structures and spells are at your command in this parody-packed Chapter.
Highborn is developed by a team of industry veterans, many of who created the original Command & Conquer products, including Rade Stojsavljevic, Joseph B. Hewitt, IV, and Westwood Studios Co-Founder, Brett W. Sperry.
Get the latest updates at Facebook.com/JetSetGames, Twitter.com/JetSetGames, and YouTube.com/JetSetGames.
For turn-based Highborn madness on your iPad, check out http://itunes.com/app/HighbornHD.
What's New in Version 1.3.9
- Fix for mission 4 being inaccessible