Epic Games is the genius behind the Unreal Engine 3 that powers such games as Gears of War and Mass Effect. Now, this amazing technology is available for iOS devices. Epic Citadel is a free application with the purpose of showing off the engine’s capabilities on the iPhone and iPad. However, it’s not a full game, or even a demo of a game. All you are able to do is walk around the world that Epic has created, getting a feel for the controls and the gorgeous graphics.
This app looks incredible on both the iPhone 4 and the iPad. Of course, there is much more screen real estate on the iPad, so for me, it is definitely the preferred method of exploration. There is so much detail to the environment. The buildings look authentic, the trees sway in the wind, and lighting effects are top-notch. Also, the ambient sound effects help to immerse you in the world of Epic Citadel. The entire experience rivals that of Oblivion for the XBOX 360.
You explore the world using two virtual thumb sticks on the screen. The left stick moves you in any direction, and the right stick rotates your view. They are smooth and responsive, allowing for precise control over your character.
While this is not actually a game, you really do get a sense of what the iPhone and iPad are capable of with such advanced technology as the Unreal Engine 3. I can’t wait to see this app turn into an actual game.
