Chopper – Review

Our rating:

By: David Frampton

Version #: 1.0

Date Released: 2008-07-06

Developer:

Price: 7.99

User Rating:

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Chopper proves that an iPhone game doesn’t have to be super fancy or sophisticated to make excellent use of the iPhone and iPod Touch’s unique features and be a whole lot of fun.

The game’s graphics are simple but sufficient. In many ways Chopper is reminiscent of some of the early video games which offered barebones graphics, simple control on the x and y axis (left/right, up/down) and were strangely addictive.

The game’s object is similarly simple. Save the civilians, shoot or bomb the bad guys, don’t get hit by rockets and don’t crash. That’s it. Unfortunately, for those who don’t like going down in a ball of flames a few rounds into it and those "simple" tasks" rapidly become far less simple. (Actually, there isn’t really a ball of flames- just a flash, a humiliating puff of smoke and the image of your chopper turing into a pile of debris.)

Each round of the game offers up a different scenario in which you are called on to fly the chopper into harms way, land near the civilians and take out the others before they can take you out.

On any other platform Chopper would be "retro" at best.. laughable at worst. On the iPhone it is just "Retro".

The key to the game being so terrific is the way in which is employs the accelerometer. Holding the device in landscape you are offered a panoramic view of the cityscape. Tilt the device away from you and the chopper lifts off. The more you tilt the more altitude it gains. Tilt the device toward you the chopper loses altitude it gains. Lower your right hand (assuming you are holding the device in two hands) and the chopper starts to move to the right. Lower your left hand… well… you get the idea. Once you get the hang of it making the chopper take off and move in very specific ways becomes natural… at least until the anti-aircraft fire becomes to come your way.

What makes this game stand out is two-fold. First, it is easy to play and you can control the pace of the game. Second, and more importantly, as limited as the game is on one level, it makes exceptional use of the iPhone/iPod Touch’s more unique attributes. Some iPhone/iPod Touch games I have played make use of the touchscreen. Some make use of the accelerometer on either the x or y axis. Some use the touchscreen and either the x or y axis movement. Chopper, however, uses the touchscreen and both the x and y axis, making it the first game I have played that takes advantage of the 3-dimensional gameplay the devices offer. And its really, really fun.

Quick Take

Overall Value: High
Entertainment Value: High
Graphics: Basic but sufficient
Level of Difficulty: Increases with gameplay
Age Appropriate: Basic videogame violence, no gore
Longevity: Medium to High
Would I Buy Again: Yes

Final Statement: Ultimately, while I wish the game was in the 3.99 to 4.99  even at 7.99 I would buy it again. There is no question that it is the type of game that I will come back to numerous times and, eventually, get my money’s worth.