Highborn Chapter 1
SCORE: 63
I have enjoyed the turn based strategy role playing games for decades. The king of that genre is Shining Force. I purchased the original 16-bit port on the iPhone/iPod Touch and enjoyed it. So I asked around and heard Highborn Chapter 1 was a game to look into. This app has its high points, and its low points. Sorry, I could not refrain from throwing that in there. The first thing I noticed about Highborn Chapter 1 is it does not take itself too seriously. Highborn Chapter 1 is also a game that is for the older members of the family. This app contains a lot of off color humor, and pokes fun at various things in the entertainment industry. I should be careful or they will mention me in a future chapter.
Visually Highborn Chapter 1 is pretty blocky. The graphics are not rounded out well, and the animation skips. In fact Highborn Chapter 1 crashed on me in the final level numerous times. I had to use check points, and load from them constantly. It lead to alot of frustration. There are undead creatures, mythical creatures, magicians, sorceresses, and more. A few of the female characters could have found some additional threads to put on if you know what I mean.
It can be difficult to follow all of the dialogue in Highborn Chapter 1. The characters talk about things that have little to nothing to do with the situation at hand. I hope they are trying to be humorous. There were few jokes in Highborn Chapter 1 that I found funny. That is when I had some clue what they were talking about. There were times I had no idea, and did not want to find out.
There are nine levels in Highborn Chapter 1. One of those is a tutorial. This app is the same price as Shining Force, has less characters, and way less levels. That is the biggest disappointment I have with Highborn Chapter 1. On the plus side the levels are long. Only one family member can enjoy this game at a time.
The game play really shines in Highborn Chapter 1. The various characters, magical monoliths, forests, and defense locations. The style of play is fantastic turn based strategy role playing. I wish there was some leveling up, or reasons to replay - like finding hidden characters. There is no reward for keeping characters alive since you start with a certain selection for each mission. Highborn Chapter 1 is also extremely easy. Well that is until the final level which is insanely difficult at the end.
A good portion
of the conversations in Highborn Chapter 1 are for adults only. I would
not want children reading these things. As an adult I have no interest
in reading those things. I do not expect the heroes to be perfect, but
they are more flawed than heroic in Highborn Chapter 1. I wish this app
was not so buggy. Jet Set Games tried to do a lot of things, but it
looks like it was more than the machine can handle. I do look forward to
sequels at some time in the future.
-
Paul
Graphics: 61%
Sound: 59%
Replay/Extras: 59%
Gameplay: 76%
Family Friendly Factor: 61%
System: iPhone/iPod Touch
Publisher: Jet Set Games
Rating: ‘9+’ for 9+
{Infrequent/Mild Realistic Violence, Infrequent/Mild Profanity or Crude
Humor, Infrequent/Mild Horror/Fear Themes, Infrequent/Mild Cartoon or
Fantasy Violence}
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