Gameloft has launched N.O.V.A. 3, the next step to their sci-fi first-person-shooter franchise for iPhone and iPad. This time, you're taking to the streets of Earth, engaging in gripping firefights with a bunch of high-tech weaponry and vehicles. As with previous games, there's full support for multiplayer, spanning 6 modes and including up to 12 players, but there's also a ten-level single-player campaign to get you warmed up. Vehicles now let more than one player hop in, which promises to be a ton of fun when playing online. There's no Game Center support, since Gameloft has their own setup for multiplayer and achievements, but N.O.V.A. 3  is optimized for the new iPad.

The N.O.V.A. franchise has been around for awhile, and has been a staple for the quality of mobile first-person-shooters in many respects. Modern Combat, another one of Gameloft's brands, has very much done the same, only it targeted the Modern Warfare and Call of Duty crowd rather than the hardcore Halo players.

Personally, I'm itching to give this a shot. Are you?

$6.99 - Download now

Dead Space from Electronic Arts is set to hit the US iTunes App Store sometime later today in both iPhone and iPad versions. TiPb got a sneak preview so let's just give you the goods right now. If you couldn't guess from the title it's a space survival/horror shooter with absolutely gorgeous graphics and even better sound and atmosphere. The mood is just perfect and transitions from casual, almost monotonous getting-to-know-the-controls early missions to OMFG-what's-eating-my-face action with heart-stopping abruptness.

Controls are about as good as can be expected for a mulitouch device though I did once in a while have trouble picking something up as opposed to shooting. If you're familiar with other first-person shooters on iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad you'll feel right at home.

Dead Space isn't on rails; you walk where you want to walk, blast what you want to blast. You do have a guidance mechanism to show you the way, however, which minimizes the frustration of truly open environments.

Like I mentioned at the beginning, it's not a universal app so you can buy it just for iPhone/iPod touch (and framed on iPad) or you can buy Dead Space HD for the big screen iPad experience. (When you do buy Dead Space for iPhone or iPad and register the game, you'll get a special unlock for Dead Space 2 for Xbox 360, PS3, and PC.)

Unfortunately, like most other separate iPhone/iPad games, there's no way to sync progress between platforms so if you get pretty far on the iPhone on the bus, you probably won't want to switch to the iPad and keep going on the sofa. Pity.

Overall Dead Space reaffirms that we've just entered the next great generation of iOS gaming. It looks great, it sounds great, and it's a ton of fun.

Video up top and screen shots after the break. If you check it out, let us know what you think.

[Dead Space iTunes link - $6.99]

[Dead Space HD iTunes link - $9.99]

When I saw John Carmack show off Rage on the iPhone a few months back, I was rather excited. The promise of real console-like graphics were in our grasp. Then, the game finally came out and I was initially blown away, but then...

Rage HD on iPad is set in a post-apocalyptic future. Typical of these types of games where you play a contestant out to earn money by defeating mutants. The game is set in a first-person shooter (FPS) perspective, but it is on rails. This means the game "moves" for you and you are only allowed to maneuver the cursor on screen at any given time. This is okay, as the games visuals are amazing and this style of game worked really well for Doom Resurrection on iPhone.

The screen is comprised of only a few buttons. The left side is meant solely to move the cursor, target enemies, etc. The right side has the action button (to shoot and pick up items like health, ammo, etc), dodge button (the enemy throws bricks at you), reload weapon and select weapon. If the touch screen modality does not work for you, there is a tilt option as well as lefty mode and other configurable choices such as inverted axis and more.

As you start a level, you immediately notice there are several bulls-eyes scattered among the levels. By shooting them, you increase your score. As enemy mutants appear, you target and shoot them. You can often get a one-shot fill if you time your shots appropriately; you get a special reticule when you in the correct area to pull it off.

As you maneuver your cursor around the screen trying to take out bulls-eyes and mutants, you will notice you can also pick up money, health and ammo bonuses; your cursor turns into a green hand. The ammo comes in particularly handy as I found I ran out of ammo a little too fast. The good news is that you have a pistol with unlimited ammo, but takes forever to reload. However, I have played entire levels with just the pistol with no problem. The additional weapons that you can find ammo for are the shotgun and automatic weapon.

The games graphics are really, really good. I mean, really good. It is a testament to iOS's capabilities. No slowdown, plenty of particles flying at you and a ton of action. But this is where the problems begin for this game. It's gorgeous. But that is all it's got. You only have three levels of play, you fight the same enemies over and over. Rage HD is literally a $2.00 technology demo. It wouldn't be so bad (since the game is clearly score based) if you had Game Center support to see where you rank on the leaderboards and add some challenges with achievements. Alas, none of these options exist.

I am impressed with id's effort in this title to bring an amazing console experience to our beloved iOS devices. I am not impressed with the paltry three stages and lack of Game Center support. Should you get this game? It's hard to tell. It is only $2.00, and will hardly break the bank. You will enjoy it till you beat the three levels and you will be left with the insatiable need for more. I am happy to have played it, but after 30 minutes (that is how long it takes to beat all of the levels) you are left with a very, very, very empty feeling.

[$1.99- iTunes Link]

Pros

• Amazing graphics
• Fun to play
• Varying levels of difficulty
• Different versions of the game for newer/older hardware
• Universal app for iPhone/iPad

Cons

• Only three levels
• Only two types of enemies (really only one type if you want to get picky)
• You are playing for what amounts to a tech demo
• No Game Center support (missing leader boards, achievements, etc)

Archetype, the top-selling and critically acclaimed online first-person shooter game for the iPhone and iPod touch, got a major update today with new features and explosive new in-app content. Users now have full access to Game Center to join matches, earn Achievements, and follow Leaderboards, and they have also added many features that users have been requesting. The update is free and in it you will also have access to the DLC (downloadable content) items for an extra $2.99.

• Capture the Flag mode: Battle it out with 10 players to capture the other team's flag in new open arenas. And when you have the flag, you’re not defenseless—bludgeon your enemies with the new flag weapon.
• Three new Environments, including the game’s first outdoor map:
• Crimson Moon: Outdoor Mining Base of Torim Kafto
• Aqua Lock: Derelict Dam on Thata Prime
• Obsidian Skirmish: Military deep space transport.
• Six new Arenas for Team Deathmatch (TDM) and Capture the Flag (CTF) play:
• Crimson Moon TDM: Open arena perfect for precision sniping
• Crimson Moon CTF: Avoid the deadly lava
• Aqua Lock TDM: Multiple elevations, open areas, and water
• Aqua Lock CTF: Use the waterways to confuse your pursuers
• Obsidian Skirmish: Fight your way through the Obsidian in traditional TDM
• Avarice CTF: Defend your flag in this revisited vertical arena

The update for Archetype HD for the iPad is due out within the next few weeks.

[$0.99 - iTunes link]

If you haven't bought Archetype for iPhone yet, they've got a new price tag of only $0.99. If you grab it, let us know your thoughts on the game and the update!

by Brian Tufo

Are you ready for the ultimate in iPhone first-person shooter games? If so, then sit back and enjoy Modern Combat 2: Black Pegasus. Gameloft has really, really, really shown it is in this to win and take advantage of the hardware on iPhone. This game is gorgeous, especially on the retina display. Ah, but let's not dwell on the graphics for now, let's jump into the game itself.

Black Pegasus is a sequel to Modern Combat. This game was good for its day, but Black Pegasus sets a new standard. The game starts off after the old one where you are part of a squad sent to take out the bad guys, protect civilians, etc. There really isn't anything new there, so let's talk about what is new. As I mentioned earlier, the graphics are awesome. I don't mean just because they are retina display graphics, they are awesome because the new character models look very realistic and body movement is very smooth as characters move about the screen. You also have a blinding white screen when you are caught with a flash bang grenade and if you "bust" in a door you have slow motion for a few seconds to take out the bad guys, creating a sense of stunned enemies.

To control the game you have the standard fanfare of d-pad on the left and your attack, grenades, etc on the right. You have the crouch button on the bottom left and the zoom scope on the bottom right. When maneuvering your character it is quite responsive and when you zoom to scope view, the controls turn very sluggish. This is done on purpose, because if not, everyone would spend the whole game in zoom mode! The controls are solid, but still suffer for Gameloft's persistent issue of keeping on the d-pad on the left as the control point and if your thumb moves off of it, you inadvertently end up controlling your view. Though not a game-stopper, it does happen on occasion- I will be in the middle of combat and all of a sudden be looking up at the sky or down at the ground. If Gameloft would simply change the whole left of the screen for movement, the problem would be solved.

There are lots of single player missions with great difficulty on the hard levels, but where this game really shines is in multiplayer. 10 players online and 4 types of games tend to keep me very busy. You have typical "deathmatch" where everyone is out for each other. Team deathmatch where two sides go after each other. Next is capture the flag where you capture the enemy flag and take it back to your base and last is bomb defuse where you have to protect a bomb from the other guys defusing it.

These multiplayer matches are crazy awesome. Fluid, look beautiful, solid Internet connections, etc., what could make it better? Points. That's right, there is a ranking system. Every kill, headshot, assist, you name gets points. Typically every level unlocks something from a kill signature (it's like a taunt) to new weapons or a skill like -20% on gun recoil and more. The only chink in the armor is that the online multiplayer is Wi-Fi only, so no 3G regretfully. Still, I can live with that as the single player missions are still a blast to play.

If you like first-person shooters, this is an absolute no-brainer purchase; it must be bought and it must be bought now. It is without a doubt the BEST game of this type on the App Store and I guarantee you will waste many hours fraggin' your peeps online. Not sure? Watch my video up top and you will be convinced.

[$6.99- iTunes Link]

Pros

• Amazing graphics
• Great controls
• Very challenging single player campaign on the hard levels
• The absolute best multiplayer FPS experience on the App Store

Cons

• No Game Center support, uses Gameloft Live! )but it works really well!
• No 3G Multiplayer

Gameloft's NOVA has just received one awesome update; high-res retina display support and the ability to use the gyroscope (looks like Gun Range proved useful after all) for iPhone 4. First let's talk graphics...

This game looks absolutely amazing. Color. Crispness. It's all there. No aliasing problems, things just look great. Now for the not so great news, the Gyroscope.

I have been playing with the NOVA update for the last couple of days and for the life of me, I can't seem to feel comfortable using the gyroscope in conjunction with the traditional controls. Sure, the gyroscope is precise. Sure you can pivot in a circle and the game will rotate with you. But when it comes to playing in a firefight with aliens, it is hard to be using the traditional controls to pan while using the gyroscope to aim. Perhaps I just don't have the reflexes of my youth, but I found the experience frustrating. Thankfully you can turn the gyroscope controls off.

This was just my experience, how are you liking the update? Let us know in the comments!

Video after the break.

[$4.99- iTunes link]

Ngmoco has just brought out the ultimate game/tech-demo (to show your friends) for the iPhone 4 -- Eliminate GunRange. It's a virtual gun range game where you use real weapons to shoot targets. The concept is not entirely engrossing as there are plenty of other top-notch shooting games out there (ngmoco's own Eliminate comes to mind). What makes this game fun and special is that it is the first game to take full use of the new iPhone 4 gyroscope. How does it work? Continue reading to find out!

The game starts out simple enough; you are presented with a single weapon, an M60. There are numerous other weapons to choose from, but you have to score well to unlock additional weapons with credits. After you select your weapon, you then can begin the " Challenges" for your selected weapon. When the level begins you have a pre- determined set of targets to destroy. That is where the fun begins.

The enjoyment factor of GunRange does not stem from the fact that you are destroying targets, it comes form the amazing control offered by the iPhone 4 gyroscope. It literally "feels" like you are holding the weapon in your hands and where ever you aim your iPhone, the cursor hovers over the target. This level of control is unprecedented in previous iPhone efforts till now. It is simply a tease of what is to come.

What could be hum-drum central, ngmoco has attempted to make levels as interesting as possible, however there are only three ranges. For example, the first level is a basic shooting range. As you progress you being to shoot targets outside in a different locale. What makes the level and challenge enticing is that targets appear "off screen" and you have to use the gyroscope to quickly turn left and right. Speaking of turning left and right, you don't have to rotate your whole body like Steve Jobs did in his WWDC 2010 keynote. Rather, I was able to successfully turn by simply lowering one side or the other to turn. This is also effective in racing games too, I have found.

For $.99 this is an easy pick up title. Will it keep you engaged for months to come, unlikely. But is it fun and cool to show off? Definitely.

[$0.99- iTunes Link]

Pros

• Awesome use of the iPhone 4 gyroscope Graphics are sharp and look good on the retina display
• Multiple guns and shooting ranges

Cons

• A bit repetitive
• Only three gun ranges, more variety would have been nice

Brothers in Arms 2: Global Front has is now available in the App store [$7.99 - iTunes link]. This is the sequel to 2008's Brothers in Arms: Hour of Heroes, one of the first 3D shooters on the iPhone. The above screen shot was taken in-game and it looks amazing. There is a smooth framerate and uses Gameloft's successful control schemes for FPSs. This is a big improvement over the first game in the series and has been well worth the wait. Some highlights include:

Battle across 5 locations: Pacific, Normandy, North Africa, Germany, Sicily.

Challenge up to 5 friends on five multiplayer maps online

Pilot 3 vehicles including the tank, off-road vehicle or glider, or gun down enemies from the vehicle or tank turret

A wide range of realistic weapons: machine guns, bazookas, sniper rifles, flamethrowers and more.

Compelling cinematic moments with more interaction between you and your squad members

Stunning graphics and authentic settings inspired by real life battlefields from WWII.

Waaaaaay back in the early days of the iPhone, word spread that legendary creator of 3D first person shooters like Wolfenstein and Doom, John Carmack was eager to develop games for the iPhone. Well, hopefully good things come to those who wait, because Carmack has just posted news that Wolfenstein is on its way, and there's more to come.

In a monstrous blog post, Carmack explains what took so long, the pros (graphics more capable than Nintendo DS) and cons (driver overhead is far, far worse), design notes, and programming.

Must read for anyone interested in iPhone development and id games. For those who just want to play, Wolfenstein is coming, Doom is coming, and undisclosed but hopefully uber-cool new id-goodness is coming.

So, who's loading their chain guns?

Are you guys familiar with BioShock? It was an amazing first person shooter that released for the Xbox 360 and PC. As one of the best games of 2007, it created a beautiful story through deep emotional connection and stunning visuals. And guess what. It's coming to the iPhone.

Yes, that's not a typo. It hasn't even been ported to a portable gaming machine yet but it is coming to the iPhone. Who knows how well it can translate to a mobile device, but this shows how much faith developers have in the iPhone. Note: A 2D version is also going to be released for mobile devices that can't handle the full 3D Game. I'm looking at you Blackberry. =)

I couldn't find a video for you guys but folks are saying that it looks spectacular. No one has actually given gameplay a twirl yet so the controls can't be spoken for, but the video shown to a few insiders was rendered on the iPhone itself.

So who's NOT excited about gaming on the iPhone?

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