I really didn’t think you could create a great game experience on the iPhone built around the Time Crisis “light gun shooter” model. Not that I thought it was impossible exactly, but there was something that just didn’t feel great about tapping directly on enemies to shoot them in this sort of game. Played on a TV, it’s the ideal arcade gaming experience, but if you have to cover up a portion of the screen with your finger to make anything happen, the experience gets old fast.
I’m happy to report that Bravo Force: Last Stand has proven me wrong on this matter. It took me a while to figure out just what Bravo Force does differently that I like so much and then it hit me – it’s fast. There’s very little time wasted walking from area to area. Whether you’re playing the game offline or online, Bravo Force just sends wave after wave of enemies at the screen. And you don’t have to pick them off using simple artillery, either. Players have machine guns, grenades, even air strikes at their disposal. The variety of weapons and the sheer number of oncoming enemies mean your fingers are moving all over the place and not stuck smack dab in the middle of your screen. It makes a huge difference.
Judging by the comments on the App Store, it appears there’s some contention about the game’s lack of a true “offline” mode. All of the gifts, leaderboards and extra features are only available if you play the game using your Facebook account. However, the game plays the same offline without the required Facebook log-in. You just miss out on the scoreboard and prizes, which doesn’t seem like the end of the world exactly.
While I’d like to see a greater variety in the locations that the missions take place, along with the addition of some sort of interactive element in the environments, Bravo Force is still a blast to play. The shooting comes early and often and there’s not much time wasted where you’re not firing a gun or taking cover from a hailstorm of bullets. This app is well worth the price of admission.
Find more great games for iOS here
