LEGENDARY creator of the game Metal Gear Solid, Hideo Kojima, once said that video games and movies will meld together in the near future. He said currently the main difference is that a movie is not interactive, unlike a game. However, some may argue that the gap is becoming closer than ever.
Last year’s Batman Arkham Knight, for example, puts you in the shoes of Batman as he fights the Arkham Knight and his goons; the experience is almost movie-like with cinematic shots and a storyline on par with the best Hollywood movies, with you directing the main protagonist in your own Batman movie.
Granted the developer Rocksteady Games had a huge budget but indie developers with a much smaller budget can also create a cinematic experience. All it takes are a good narrative, cinematic approach and a good creative vision. That is how I felt when I got my hands on Lonewolf, a game for the iPhone a while back. Having played this game from start to finish — and playing it again — I was surprised that it was made by one man, Simon Hason from SHD (Simon Jason Design) Games.
I felt like I was playing a well-made action movie. It has a Michael Man’s vibe in the story narrative where you play a hitman, trying to infiltrate a big crime organisation. The story is well written and presented in black and white comic frame. It has a strong detective noir vibe throughout the presentation as you follow your protagonist on his journey into the heart of the organisation. The game really tries to depart from the normal gaming aspect by making the Head-Up Display minimal and by making even one shot from the enemy kill you. By putting emphasis on the story, I felt like I was in an interactive movie.
While the game puts you in the first person perspective, I like that the settings and background change according to the story. It feels very dynamic. You will be shooting in the city, highway, camping ground, park, mansion, farm and rooftops, amongst others.
The variety of missions is also amazing for such a small budget game. While the game starts with some basic sniper missions, deeper into the game, you get to try your hands on machine guns where you need to clear a path or roomful of enemies.
There are also a close quarter handgun shootout level and a couple of unexpected levels where you are in hand-to-hand combat! This is completely unexpected and I had to master new skills as each weapon handles differently and it’s a completely new approach when you fight this way.
If you can’t tell yet, I love this game. It’s a robust cinematic gaming experience that I can play on my iPhone. Sure the game creator doesn’t have a big budget to make CGI cutscenes and other expensive presentations but the story narration and gaming interactivity will transport me into a movie-like experience.
I love it. The only flaw is that the story ends with a sequel bait! I don't want to spoil the ending of the game for you but the journey of the assassin hero doesn't end in this game but continues in the next chapter. I highly recommend this game to those who want to play a cinematic action movie game on iPhone.
Verdict: 5/5
THE PLOT
You play a faceless, nameless sniper, a special ops veteran with an outstanding reputation of a no-nonsense killer. Money is not your motivation. Some say you kill for the sake of killing, but it’s not that simple.
There is a blood-chilling back story to Lonewolf’s determination and patience as he makes his career with a nefarious organisation, The Assembly.
The characters are a bit stereotypical, yetthe player can relate to them. Then there is the big, bald, ruthless boss Mando with blood on his hands. The dope Midman hasa pony tail and wears sunglasses at night. Lonewolf’s only contact, Emile, knows him from the war, and yet he knows nothing about him but the fact the guy is a killing machine.