First impressions: N-Gage First Access client
We've got it, but is it any good?
As we reported late last night, Nokia has finally released the First Access version of its N-Gage application, for N81 and N81 8GB handsets.
Naturally, we've wasted no time in getting it onto our N81 8GB and cracking on with playing the next-gen games we've been typing about for the last couple of years.
Our first impressions of the client itself follow, including the installation process, while we'll be rolling out reviews of the first four games over the coming days.
First things first: you can't install First Access from the phone itself. We thought you'd be able to download it from within the N-Gage preview application that's preloaded on the phone, but it actually directs you off to Nokia's website.
So, you can head there, and download the client with the first three demos: Space Impact Kappa Base, futuristic racer System Rush: Evolution, and fishing title Hooked On: Creatures of the Deep.
The installation process is slightly convoluted, since you have to transfer the 6.15MB N-Gage client onto your phone via USB, then unplug the handset from the computer, install and run the application, then connect it again to transfer the games over.
This is just the first time you run it, mind, and to be fair, the whole process ran without a hitch. The three game files are 52.1MB in total, with Creatures of the Deep the biggest at 29MB.
First impressions
Our first surprise came when we went to the Get More Games section of the N-Gage application, and found an extra demo available to download over the air, for Gameloft's Block Breaker Deluxe.
So in total, there are four games available right now for N-Gage. We'd already got our handset configured for Wi-Fi, so the download of the Block Breaker Deluxe demo was super-fast.
Before firing any games up, we went to edit our N-Gage Arena profile. A niggle is that you can't have a username of less than four letters, so no 'Stu' for this journalist – Stu77 it is. You can set up your preferred connection to use, and also upload a photo of yourself and type in a motto.
Again, all this works without a hitch – no bugs spotted yet. That done, it was time to play some games. Bear in mind, this article isn't reviewing the games themselves, just giving a walkthrough of how the process of playing the trials and then buying the full games works.
So, Block Breaker Deluxe. After clicking on the icon, we were asked if we wanted to play the trial, purchase the full game now, or enter an activation code (presumably this is if you've paid for the game online).
The trial is literally 30 seconds long (or possibly 60 – we weren't timing it), and then you're prompted to buy it. Here's where we got our first sense of how much N-Gage games might cost: the full version is £6, but there are also options to buy a one-day pass for £1.50 or a seven-day pass for £4.
Choosing the full game option, we were then presented with a choice of payment options: credit card or phone bill. Choosing the latter sends you a premium message charging your bill, with the game activating immediately. We were also sent an email with the details of our purchase, and an activation code.
The game itself isn't immediately impressive, looking just like the existing Java version of Block Breaker Deluxe, with tarted up sound. More on that later this week in the actual review.
How about Creatures of the Deep? Firing that up, we had a quick go at catching a fish using the simple one-thumb controls, while wondering if those waves aren't a bit more pixellated than we remember them from demos in the past.
It's also at this point that we realised we might not get on with the N81 as a gaming handset, due to its stiff D-pad. (Thankfully though, the music buttons around it are disabled while the game is running, so there's none of the annoying 'fire up the MP3 player' events that we're used to when playing Java games.)
After catching a bicycle frame (!), the demo was over, and we were presented with the same choice of purchase options, although the full game cost £8 this time. Choosing credit card, it let us choose between VISA, Mastercard, American Express, Diners, JCB, Switch and Solo.
The inclusion of Switch (Maestro) is welcome indeed, although our joy lasted only as long as it took for our card to be declined, forcing us to use the Visa card after all. We're not sure why that happened.
'Verdict'
Leaving aside the fact we might get addicted to this mobile fishing lark for a minute, we were impressed by our first half an hour with First Access. It didn't crash, for starters, and everything seemed to be working smoothly.
The purchase process was seamless, putting you back into the game at the end of it where you left off. We wouldn't fancy downloading the large demo files over the network, but via wi-fi installation is speedy and painless.
As we said, we're working on full reviews of the four launch games as you read this, and we'll also be investigating N-Gage Arena more as we rack up some playtime. Check back regularly this week for the latest.
