Highborn for iPhone. Round-Based Strategy Game that is Engrossing from Beginning to End

Highborn iPhone

Highborn iPhone

Highborn [rating: 4.5/5]

Highborn is the first iPhone/iPod touch game from Jet Set Games and it appears that they have started things off with a winner with a round-based strategy game that is fun to play and entertaining.

When you start the game in Campaign mode you get to start, as you would expect, with chapter 1 with the first of 8 parts the only option unlocked to you. The others become unlocked as you complete them and there is already the promise of a 2nd chapter coming soon, whether that will be free or not remains to be seen.

The first couple of things you’ll notice are the great looking style of the game and the well written story-line which is both humorous and engaging. Yes it can be a little wordy at times but if you are a fan of this genre of game that won’t be a problem for you, in fact it makes the game more entertaining.

As the game starts you will find yourself taking the role of Archie, a knight who aims to rid the land of all the evil within. You complete this task by moving Archie and his minions, around the various maps fighting any enemies that you stumble across. The controls are relatively self explanatory and are quickly picked up and before long you will find yourself pitted into battle with one of the many enemies that you’ll we come across in your aventures.

The battles feel a little disjointed and will also be a little too simplistic for some more advanced players. As you move next to any enemy you get the chance to attack them. At this point the game tasks over and based on the combatants strengths and weaknesses the animated cut scene will act out the ensuing battles. Any spells that you have picked up on your travels can also be cast at this point to give you an advantage.

Highborn iPhone_1

There are plenty of different spells to be collected too and while they can only be used in attack rather than defence it just makes success come to players that act predominantly on attack rather than defence and that’s no bad thing.

The first map is relatively small with just a few villages and cities to capture along with a few enemies and as long as you don’t do anything crazy you’ll find yourself coming out on top of with little difficulty. However it’s merely an appetizer to the larger and more involved maps and battles that you an Archie will face on your campaign to greatness.

What was nice was the balance between battling the enemies and capturing points of interest around the map, concentrate too much on either and you’ll soon find yourself in a real uphill struggle to win, get it right though and Archie and his armies will progress successfully.

In addition to the campaign mode for you to play on your own and hone your skills and then there is a multi-player mode which utilizes Facebook where you can challenge your Facebook friends to a game across any of the 6 maps. Some people will find the requirement of Facebook to play a multi-player game annoying but it works well and is better than no multi-player option at all. What it also means is that each player can play at their own pace wherever they are in the world. The Facebook challenge mode also lets you have multiple games running at the same time which is nice.

Overall Highborn is an entertaining round-based strategy game which you can play all at once or in small bite size pieces. The storyline is well written and engaging and I would recommend Highborn to strategy game experts and those looking to try one out for the first time too. At the moment the introductory price of $3 is a bargain and is money well spent.

Pros

  • Engaging storyline
  • Simple yet, engrossing game play
  • Multi player Facebook mode

Cons

  • Simplistic battles

Price: $2.99 (iTunes Store)
Category: Games
Released: Jun 02, 2010
Reviewed Version: 1.0
Size: 69.8 MB
Language: English
Seller: Jet Set Games, Inc.
© 2010 Jet Set Games, Inc.
Requirements: Compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Requires iPhone OS 3.0 or later.

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