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WWDC 09: Hands on with Mass Effect Galaxy on iPhone

Maximum warped

WWDC 09: Hands on with Mass Effect Galaxy on iPhone

You don't have to travel to a galaxy far, far away for warfare in the stars.

Your pocket will be as far as you have to go when Mass Effect Galaxy warps to iPhone in the coming months. This unlikely spin-off transforms the rich role-playing of the console series into a quick bite of arcade action. Unfortunately, our hands on showed a game that has much further to go before it reaches anywhere near the stars.

Mass Effect Galaxy provides a narrative bridge between the original Xbox 360 and PC role-playing game and its forthcoming sequel. As Jacob Taylor, you preface the story of Mass Effect 2 with a short adventure on the galactic hub known as the Citadel. This massive space station set deep within a nebula that houses delegates from dozens of species from across the galaxy, some seeking to dissolve the tenuous peace secured with the death of Saren at the end of the first game.

While precise details regarding Jacob's story and his role in the greater Mass Effect narrative arc won't be unveiled until the game's release, we did get a comprehensive look at gameplay.

Breaking from the action role-playing of the main series, this offshoot pairs accelerometer-driven shootouts with multiple choice conversations. It's an unusual combination; while the branching dialogue fits well within the franchise, the action stages are a jarring departure.

You control Jacob through top-down stages using the iPhone's accelerometer. Tilting your handset moves him left, right, up and down. Jacob automatically fires upon an enemy using a basic laser pistol whenever they move within range. However special abilities lining the right side of the screen can be triggered with a tap of the finger.

Shields, for instance, protect Jacob for a short period of time. Once activated, each ability undergoes a recharge time after which you can tap again to use. Other abilities include a heavy attack and bionic attack that freezes enemies in place.

The basic nature of the game isn't so much the issue here as its complete lack of appeal. Mass Effect Galaxy seemingly fails to capture the incredible spirit of the console games, opting instead of hackneyed casual gameplay.

The two stages we played were devoid of fun. Tilting to move through static top-down stages filled with unremarkable enemies does nothing to relay the sophistication of this imaginative universe.

The branching conversations lacked panache too. Selecting dialogue options is done with taps of the screen as you converse with characters. A curved menu situated on the right can be slid with a swipe of your finger, and a response selected with a tap. Conversations vary depending on your chosen replies, though the obvious nature of the available options and underwhelming cast of characters promise little entertainment.

Even the visuals leave something to be desired. Instead of leveraging the slick realistic style of the series, the game employs comical cel-shaded characters that are completely out of sync.

So Mass Effect Galaxy appears misguided; it's a casual interpretation of a complex series that comes across as a disjointed. While the effort to introduce this rich universe to a wider audience is admirable, a serious reworking of the game will be required if developer BioWare wants to accomplish that goal.

Tracy Erickson
Tracy Erickson
Manning our editorial outpost in America, Tracy comes with years of expertise at mashing a keyboard. When he's not out painting the town red, he jets across the home of the brave, covering press events under the Pocket Gamer banner.