N.O.V.A. – Near Orbit Vanguard Alliance ($6.99)
Version – 1.1.0
REVIEW – “One of the best FPS experiences for any mobile platform!”
I have seen a lot of games that have attempted to take on the iPhone FPS genre, but very few that have succeeded in being more than just eye candy with a half-baked interface thrown over them. Thankfully what you get with Gameloft’s N.O.V.A. – Near Orbit Vanguard Alliance is a game with an in depth storyline, great user interface, plenty of weapons and even an online multiplayer experience!
One thing that is difficult to ignore with this game is just how much it feels like the “Halo” genre of games. 
Gameloft’s team has managed to make this game feel a lot like those games by using a similar style of artwork, while at the same timemaking the in-game experience something totally different. One thing is for sure though, from the opening movie all the way down to the little details within the levels, a lot of work went into making this 
game look and feel right!
Once you get through the opening screens you will be taken to the main menu. The menu is laid out very well. All of the options are easy to read and as a whole the menu is very sharp looking. Perhaps one of the best features of this app is the control scheme settings. While most games offer some type of customization, N.O.V.A offers a wide variety of options from sensitivity control, to a “left handed mode” and 3 different control schemes. It seems that while a lot of games have come up with control schemes that work, this game allows you to use pretty much any of those control schemes that you may choose!
There are a variety of other options that you can customize. Some of the most prominent ones are an “Auto leveling” 
feature, “Aim assist,” a “Compass” feature that will help guide you through the levels if you are impatient. Another great feature is the ability to select and customize playlists of the music on your iPhone/iPod to listen to while you play. This is of course balanced with the ability to set different levels for sound effects and music.
Once you have everything set just right you can either get started on the single player campaign or head 
straight to multiplayer! The single player campaign offers 13 levels with varying terrain and enemies. I was very impressed with how much fun it really is. There are three different difficulty levels that allow anyone to enjoy this game without getting too frustrated.
The online multiplayer is a lot of fun! The one thing that I wonder is how the “host” system works in it. The reason I am asking is that I seem to lose my connection to the host more than half the time when playing online. It also didn’t seem to make a difference whether I was using a WiFi connection or a 3G connection. That being said, online play really is a lot of fun. The maps are packed with all kinds of great weapons and powerups which add a lot to the gameplay.
With all of that said, this game has really set the bar high for FPS games! If you have been waiting for just the right game to come along in this genre the wait is over! Download N.O.V.A. today for just $6.99 if you’d like to play one of the premier games in the App Store. This game will not disappoint you!
- David H.
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Developer – Gameloft
URL: http://www.near-orbit-vanguard-alliance.com/
DEVELOPERS NOTES
The most revolutionary sci-fi FPS for your iPhone & iPod Touch!
Join the fight for mankind’s survival against the aggressive aliens known as Judges in this immersive space opera.
With Earth no longer able to sustain life, huge artificial satellites called “near-orbitals” were constructed for people to live on. To protect themselves, the near-orbitals banded together to form N.O.V.A., the Near Orbit Vanguard Alliance. Now, a strange threat has emerged from the darkness of space. A Marine ship, reported missing just a week ago, has suddenly reappeared and is headed directly for the near-orbitals, ignoring all communications. Against his will, retired Marine hero Kal Wardin is forcefully returned to active duty to prevent mankind’s annihilation.
N.O.V.A. – Near Orbit Vanguard Alliance provides the most comprehensive content available on the AppStore. Plunge into an unparalleled gaming experience!
EPIC SINGLE-PLAYER CAMPAIGN
- 13 insane levels
- 5 radically different environments, from the real to the fantasic – jungle, snow mountains, spaceship, bunker, and an alien city
- 6 weapons: Assault rifle, shotgun, sniper rifle, handgun, rocket launcher and plasma gun – plus grenades & machine gun turrets in certain levels
- An intense drama sustained by transitional cinematics and character voices
FRANTIC MULTIPLAYER MODE
- Play locally or online via Wi-Fi or Local Bluetooth connection
- 1-4 player Deathmatch (1-2 players via Bluetooth connection)
- 5 different maps
- Play against your friends or the entire world through Gameloft LIVE!
- Worldwide leaderboards in the game & on the official website, www.near-orbit-vanguard-alliance.com
TECHNOLOGICAL LEAP
- Full 3D rendered environments enhanced by highly detailed graphics
- 3 control schemes
- Customizable interface
N.O.V.A., the Near Orbit Vanguard Alliance, wants you to support the fight!
Enlist on Twitter @NOVA_fps
Visit www.near-orbit-vanguard-alliance.com for more information.
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Also available from Gameloft this Christmas: Driver, Tom Clancy’s H.A.W.X, Skater Nation and James Cameron’s Avatar
Download Now!
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© 2009, Davidh. All rights reserved.