Review: Hero of Sparta
by Matt Fox
July 3, 2009
Overview
A visually stunning and action packed game of epic proportions with a little bit of God of War thrown into the mix. This hack'n slash game has a few modest flaws, but the good will easily out way the bad as you write your own legend in Hero of Sparta.
Features
Let's start with the controls here. The game features a virtual keyboard to move around in a complete 3D environment. Fight against legions of enemies as you battle through eight different levels. The game also features a weapons upgrade ability. Use swords, bows, axes, and the twin blades on your quest to become Spartan's greatest warrior.
The Breakdown
The Good:
Easily, hands down...the graphics. Gameloft has really pulled out all the stops with this one. The graphics here really are amazing and it's hard to believe you're seeing some of this stuff on the iPhone. If you don't believe me, then feast your eyes on the photos featured here. See what I mean?
The amount of variety in this game is pretty impressive. The weapons, the enemies, the environments, etc. It's nice to see a game that isn't just the same thing for each level.
As much as I usually do not like the virtual keyboard on the iPhone, I found it works really well here. I know, I was shocked too. When I saw that the game only has one option for the controls I was a little worried. But the controls work and it's very refreshing.
The Bad:
The game has a pretty bad lag about it. In short, it just doesn't play as smoothly as you'd like it too. Remember when you played something like Mega Man II on the original Nintendo and once more than like three enemies entered the screen it got all slow and laggy? Well that kind of happens here too.
Your actually fighting moves get a little stale after a while. You get more weapons and you do get to go into a "God of War" like mode where you have to tap the screen at a certain time to kill the enemy, etc. Other than that you have the same basic moves and it can get dull after a few levels.
The Verdict
You know, for only $0.99 this game is worth the price. There's a lot of game here and the graphics are some of the best on the iPhone. There are a few issues with the game, but they don't really out way how much good is in this one. Grab it while it's on sale because once it goes back up, I'm not sure I'd say the same thing.