Modern Combat: Sandstorm

iTunes Link

Modern Combat: Sandstorm is a shooter game by Gameloft. $6.99

Brothers In Arms was Gameloft's first attempt at making a first person shooter. The game featured great gameplay and some amazing graphics for its time. Then came along a more modern approach with Terminator Salvation, which was really Brothers In Arms 2.0. The game featured better controls and smoother gameplay as well as superbly enhanced graphics. Again this game was ahead of its time. Again this game, Modern Combat, is basically Brothers In Arms 3.0 or Brothers In Arms on steroids. It is literally insane how good the graphics are in this game, really shows the full potential of the iPhone and is really smooth, even on the slowest of slow 1st Generation iPod Touch's. This game is also ahead of its time, with only just now are we seeing developers other than Gameloft and Electronic Arts making power demanding games with graphics to die for. Really there is no comparison in terms of first person shooter games, and that's with the rail shooter Doom: Resurrection on the App Store.

There are very few games on the App Store that can match this game in terms of its amazing graphics. There are some games that have been given previews but are not out yet that may match this game. The entire game is fully 3D and does not repeat itself with basic objects. Honestly, this game made me think I was playing something on my Xbox 360, that's how good this game looks and plays. The graphics are all well and good to have but what makes them even more impressive is how well they have made the game run. In the past with BIA and to a small extent Terminator Salvation, I encountered lag that slightly tainted the gaming experience. After seeing the game on my friends 3GS I was doubtful it would run well on my iPod Touch, yet the gameplay itself is almost identical. There are games we buy just for a reason to show off to our friends. Even if you don't like shooting games this one of those games to show off.

As Gameloft have put more and more games onto the App Store they have improved their once clunky control system. The controls in Brothers In Arms weren't the best but they were improved for Terminator Salvation. They are almost similar to the Terminator controls except I found the Modern Combat controls more responsive. The controls are easy to use with a virtual joystick to move and a button to shoot. There are also many other ways to fight with the ability to throw grenades, reload your weapon before you run out of bullets and even change between weapons with a double tap on the weapon icon. I could find no faults with the controls and they are easy enough to use once you play through the initial tutorial level.

Modern Combat: Sandstorm is a modern war where you are on the mission to annihilate a new terrorist resurgence set up in the remote desert. With help from your comrades you have to fight your way through 10 exhilarating levels of intense shooting and all out blood bath. You will travel around the Middle Eastern city protecting and seeking out terrorists in city streets, buildings, sewers, labs and more. The game takes advantage of Apple's lifted restrictions and if you kill someone close enough you can see their blood splurge out as they fall to the ground. This is an amazing game that caps off a super addictive first person game as well as the graphics to back it up. Each level takes anywhere from 10 minutes to half an hour depending on how far into the game you get. The way you fight the war is up to you with the ability to drive vehicles, choose many different weapons and even use mounted machine guns. I found the game had a nice challenge to it with the difficulty set to medium, making it something that isn't breezed through quite easily. This is probably one of the most addictive games on the App Store to date and even months after originally getting it I am still blown away by how good it is.

Easily the best shooter game I have ever played on the iPhone and has really set a high standard that I believe can only be matched by big companies like Konami, id Software, Capcom etc. Everything Gameloft has been working on for the last year has really been delivered in this game and shows why they are one of the most influential and creative developers on the App Store. You must seriously be kidding yourself if you haven't even pondered getting this game. At least try the just released lite version so you can see the spectacle that is, Modern Combat: Sandstorm.

Gameplay- 9.5/10
Graphics- 10/10
Sound- 9.5/10
Overall- 9.5/10

I would recommend this game if you enjoyed- Terminator Salvation

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