Infinity Blade Review
PROS
- Incredible console quality graphics.
- Engaging touch-based combat system.
- Elegant item upgrade system.
CONS
- Repetition accentuated by recycled animations and enemies.
- Currently limited exploration.
VERDICT
Infinity Blade is by its very nature a game with a narrow scope, but within those limits it's a beast of gameplay, visuals and execution; this isn't just a pretty face, it's a seriously fun game to master.
- Full Review
- App Store Info
After teasers that had many of us salivating for months on end, ChAIR Entertainment has finally released their gorgeous and engrossing on-rails RPG title Infinity Blade. You'll take the reigns of a luckless hero who is compelled to return to a cursed tower in order to avenge the death of his father, but once you meet your demise (and you will) the mantle of a hero and crusader will be passed to your successive generations until you can crush the God King once and for all.
Over the course of the first few generations you'll need to come to grips with the game's touch based system that pits you against each of the castle's denizens in one on one melee combat. Players have the option of either blocking, dodging or parrying the blows sent towards them by tapping or swiping in reaction to the blows of your enemy, eventually stunning or creating an opening that can be used to inflict damage of your own. Combo melee attacks based on swipes or magic spells activated by following patterns help you to gain an edge on your foe, but should you fall before reaching the God King you have the option of restarting the current bloodline or continuing from your previous checkpoint.
Once you've explored the castle a couple of times you'll find nothing new outside of refreshed treasure chests and the occasional pile of cash lying around and while this is a shame the beauty of the game's environments are not diminished for it. As items are found or purchased they'll add to your current character's attributes and experience earned will go towards mastering them, rewarding you with a skill point once they're maxed out. Leveling up also provides access to new skill points, but experience can also be earned by spending cash on 'mastering' an item, providing the experience and skill point in trade for this cost.
If one point of contention has to be mentioned it would be the lack of variety in the enemies you fight, with only a handful of variations that sport the same animations and attacks, however the monsters don't just grow in power with each generation, they also learn new attack sequences to keep you on your toes. Infinity Blade is no less compelling for its purposeful repetition, though future updates promise to add more variety and as it stands the game will leave you engrossed well beyond the main storyline; a definite must have.
Screenshots
$5.99
