Review: Inotia 2: A Wanderer of Luone - Hottest Games of 2009 We Missed

Overview Chronicles of Inotia was one of the first full featured RPGs on the iPhone, but it was disappointing, and definitely fell short of Zenonia. Com2Us has retooled the game and now transports us back to Inotia in a sequel, a Wanderer of Luone. This is a classic action role playing game where all the fighting is done with live combat. The storyline included is a traditional rpg storyline with nothing ground breaking, where way back when three warriors sealed demons from this world, and loCked the keys away. The story begins with the main character unknowingly transporting a key to the wrong person, and that person opens up the world to the demons. Now you have to help the soldier of light guard the two other keys, push the demons back, and defeat Lord Gorgon. Features You begin the game choosing between one of five classes: Knight, Magician, Priest, Thief, or Templar with each providing different skill sets. The main story then includes just over 200 individual quests to complete which help progress the story, and level up your character properly. The game is set up with a part system allowing you to have up to two extra mercenaries with you. Two control methods are included with touch based movement or v-pad. The v-pad provides more input on your part. The online match-up mode was just recently activated with the update. You just go to the arena over wifi or 3g, and you can battle anyone in a straight fight to the death with online ranking as well. The Good Inotia 2 gives you everything you would expect from a classic action rpg. Every part of the game is free flowing and always moving, so you can go right up to enemies, and engage and kill right on the spot. The combat system is outstanding giving you action, and the ability to perform well while maintaining plenty of challenge. One of the best aspects is the included quest system which is extremely deluxe giving you over 200. The quests are set-up to progress the story and gameplay wonderfully well so you're never stuck not knowing what to do next. Everything is always moving forward, and you always know your goal which keeps the action coming, and making it nice and fun. The leveling up system is an important part of RPGs, and is really well done to give multiple options with it easy to know what the upgrade points will result in. The entire menu is implemented well for not only leveling upgrades, but also to work with your inventory, and everyone in your party. Also in the menu is the save system where you have to remember to manually press save, and then it will pick up right where you left off. The party system really helps the gameplay a lot. Having multiple characters to play as, with just a tap in the upper right to switch the players around, really makes this game stand out. Not only that, but the rest of your party attacks and uses special abilities automatically to really help in difficult battles. Overall this is the most engaging of any RPGs on the iPhone that keeps you entertained throughout all of the quests included. Playing through the entire game will give you actually too much to do if that's possible. The included story is tried and true rpg fare, but it's still a nice read, and develops well. The graphics are well done, and an upgrade on the first Inotia as well as any classic rpg style game. Everything is finely polished from the environments and characters to the slashes in combat. It's not close to Ravensword, but it's as nicely detailed as 2D classic rpg can be. The included soundtrack is pleasant to listen to, and fits perfectly with the adventure you are undertaking. The sound effects in battle are nice with sword slashes, and monster hits. The v-pad is the better of the two controls, and works, but it's not as good as it could be. The included arena battle mode adds even more to do in this game. The matches are fairly quick, and are nice to test your rpg skills against more than just ai. The online ranking system is relatively basic, but still nice to have. The Bad The main concern with this game is that it's relatively expensive at $7.99. I have no problem with devs charging reasonable prices for well made and deluxe games. The problem is just the price comparison to the main competitors at $2.99 and $4.99 respectively. The entire quest mode will take forever to get through, and I don't know how many will want to make it through. The game progresses nicely, but does become stale and repetitive, as the action just gets tougher with never any change. The quests seem to meld together as you go just changing names, but doing the same things. Both control methods leave something to be desired. The touch mode took a lot of the action out of the game. The v-pad on the other hand didn't allow for any quick movement of your character, and sometimes just didn't recognize your finger after you hold the button for a bit. The Verdict Inotia 2: A Wanderer of Luone is the best RPG in the App Store, and one of the 25 best games on the platform. Com2Us has done a great job changing everything from the original, and providing a sequel that is classic action rpg at its best. The game is engaging, and well designed in every aspect with an extremely deluxe quest mode to make it through. Inotia 2 is definitely the best rpg in the App Store, but is only a should buy at $7.99 with cheaper really great alternatives like Dungeon Hunter ($4.99), Zenonia ($2.99), and Hybrid ($2.99). So it's up to you if you want the best regardless of price, or if you are a little more price conscious there are worthy cheaper alternatives.

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