iDracula, a review

Here’s my view on iDracula for you iPhone mobile broadband users out there.

Alright, so it doesn’t have the most imaginative name in the world, but what’s the game about?

The game is (sort of) an overhead shooter, and nothing short of it. You’ll be pitted against a hell of a lot (pun not intended) of monsters and it’s up to you how many you take back to hell with you!

The graphics are actually pretty good for the iPhone and the animation is quite fluid. One thing that might get on your nerves is the music, just one song played over and over, apart from that the sound is pretty good: enemies and weapons sound believable.

The controls are touch screen; the movement keys are on the bottom left of the screen while the aiming keys on the bottom right – the main problem with this control interface is that if your character or any of the monsters walk under it, you can’t see them due to your thumbs being over that part of the screen. Something like not being able to see what’s attacking you almost certainly ends in death if you’re quite far into survival mode. Another thing that annoyed me is not being able to aim without shooting.

The game contains a small handful of maps and game modes, but plenty of weapons and things to shoot with them. There is also a perk system which lets you choose from 4 random “upgrades” at intervals throughout the game. You can find a list of maps, modes, weapons and perks below.

Maps

There are only three maps, all of them quite small and the monsters which spawn differ between each area:

1. Grave Park – This is exactly what it sounds like, a grave/park type area (this map is shown in the screenshot above).
2. Frozen Earth – Snowy type area, even has the fallen autumn leaves!
3. Castle Hall – This is the hall of a mean looking castle… What can I say other than… Very red.

Game Modes

1. Survival – You’ll start off with a handgun and very little opposition. This is a good time to get used to the controls and map. As the mode carries on you’ll get more perks, drops and weapons from dead monsters. The monsters themselves will get stronger and faster, not to mention they’ll multiply like rabbits. This is a you or them type situation, the bus isn’t coming to get you and the car rental is stuck in traffic, you’re in this mode until you bite the dust.
2. Super Survival - Same as survival but with additional drops, like super speed and bombs.
3. Wave Attack – Somewhat like survival, except enemies drop money. You’ll then have some time to buy weapons, ammo and health before starting the next wave of enemies.
4. Rush - Choose your weapon, you’re about to be dropped straight into a ton of enemies. This is like survival mode except… Skipping the build up.

Weapons

1. Handgun
2. Rifle
3. Crossbow
4. Grenade
5. Launcher
6. Machine Gun
7. Blade Ripper
8. Flamethrower
9. BFG - Big Fucking Gun? I prefer Big Friendly Giant.

“Perks”

1. Extra Health – This gives you 30% more HP
2. Crossbow Master – Adds an incredible amount of power to the crossbow, and also makes it shoot in 3 directions.
3. Power Striker – Your guns push back enemies further.
4. Bloodlust – The more HP you lose, the more damage you do.
5. Immortality – Makes you immortal for 20 seconds… but then kills you.
6. Telekinesis – Drags power ups dropped by enemies towards you.
7. New Weapon – Gives you a weapon which is more powerful than the ones you’re already holding, if there is one.
8. Ninja – Gives you a higher chance to dodge attacks (40% or 50%, I’ll have to confirm which one). I can’t say I’ve noticed my character ever dodging any attacks, even with this perk active.
9. Panic – The more HP you lose, the faster you reload.
10. Sniper – Increases the range of your weapons.
11. Bonus finder – Enemies drop more power ups and items.
12. Field Runner – Movement speed is increased.
13. Blood Sacrifice – All enemies in your line of sight will die at the cost of half of your remaining HP.
14. Reloader – Increases the reloading speed of all weapons
15. Score Master – Doubles any score points you receive after using it. This is useful for getting additional perks, as they’re given on random intervals of your score.
16. Bandage – Full heal.

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