Review: Modern Conflict For iPad And iPhone
by Staff Writer
July 14, 2010
Overview
Modern Conflict has an iPhone and iPad version giving you a real time strategy game (RTS), using modern tanks and helicopters in various locations across the globe. The game is set up with a field of bases each with a number of units needed to take control of the base. You control tanks and helicopters going against regular bases, bases that are fortified, and ones that have missile defenses.
*The iPhone and iPad version are practically the same except for the visuals, so the information below is accurate for both versions.
Features
The game features three gameplay modes with campaign, survival, and special ops. In campaign mode there is a different set of missions for U.S, Russia, and China with 33 in total between the three countries. In survival mode you go from battle to battle with increasingly difficult opponents with upgrades to your own units along the way.
Special ops mode is similar to campaign mode with more specific challenges, and an all in jungle type area compared to the desert area of the campaign mode. The game is tap based where you tap once on your base to send half the units, and tap twice to send all the units to the selected base of attack. Crystal is included for online high scores for each mode as well as achievements.
The Good
Modern Conflict presents real time strategy in a simple straight forward way for the more casual gamer. There aren’t a multitude of variations in the gameplay like most real time strategy, and it plays closest to Galcon rather than Red Conquest. The game just gives you bases with target units needed to take control of the base, and then you try to out maneuver your opponent to achieve victory.
The tutorial really helps those new to the genre to appreciate and enjoy a real time strategy game. Though the game is relatively simplistic that’s not to say there isn’t a load of challenge even for RTS veterans. The early levels wet your whistle, and there is a brilliantly constructed increasing level of difficulty to have most players on the same level prepared for the next battle.
From the opening levels you’ll instantly be engaged in the game as it makes RTS fast paced engaging action that requires you to constantly keep an eye on. You always have to be thinking, and adjusting your strategy based on your opponent’s movements. The best way to do that is to act rather than react though the set up of every level changes even the best plan of attack.
The campaign mode is quite deluxe when you play through it with all three countries with different layouts and challenges for each country. Then there is the special ops mode for very specific battles, and an increase in the challenge including facing more than one enemy. Finally survival mode starts off easy enough, but you will need to upgrade your skills and attributes if you want to survive for long.
It’s super easy to control the movement of your units which is necessary to balance your units between your bases with each one having caps on the number of units it can produce. The game features a great mechanic where moving units can fire upon one another as they pass, and the inclusion of complex fortified structures requiring double or even four times the number of units to infiltrate. When you get to the levels that have tanks and helicopters you will need to be really quick with your decisions as helicopters change strategy so much as they aren’t restricted to roads, and can take new bases easier in some instances.
If you’re on the iPhone the game looks great on the small device taking advantage of every pixel. When you’re on the iPad it looks amazing with the expanded intricate backgrounds. The action on screen is great from the various fire of the defending bases, and the explosions of tanks and helicopters on impact with bases.
The backgrounds degrade from the firing of the base defenses, and stay destroyed throughout the battle. The moving tanks and helicopters look great, and the sound effects go right with the units. There is a nice soundtrack filled with action, though the ‘roger’ on every movement you do is kind of annoying.
The Bad
There isn’t much to dislike with the game. It’s made so most users will enjoy it, and there is plenty of action and replay. The game does have some frustrating parts when some levels feel practically impossible, but that’s when you really need to think, and you’ll no doubt get through it.
Though there are new levels for each country, and multiple game modes the levels seem to meld together. The computer player has similar patterns, and every level is similar with the layout of bases. The variability is there if you simply look at the features, but it’s lacking in the actual gameplay.
The Verdict
Modern Conflict is a well made real time strategy game that anyone can enjoy because of the simple style and outstanding difficulty curve. It’s enjoyable the entire length of all three modes across the various missions and it’s worth being commended for making RTS more approachable. The game is nicely designed in every aspect whether you’re on the iPhone or iPad.
For $0.99 on the iPhone or $1.99 on the iPad it’s a really should buy depending on your preferred device, though picking up both versions isn’t worth it.
