Title: Battle Hunters
Developer: Phase Two Games Pty. Ltd.
Publisher: Phase Two Games Pty. Ltd.
Genre: ARPG
Price: $5.99
Created by independent developer Phase Two Games, Battle Hunters is a surprisingly polished title that transcends the limitations of its platform through its unabashed display of the passion of those behind it. No doubt, the pedigree of creative director Dan Tonkin and technical director Tony Charlton helps; drawing from their experience as co-founders of IronMonkey Studios and EA Melbourne, not to mention wealth of knowledge in providing gamers with guilty pleasures dating back to the industry’s eight-bit days, they’ve managed to produce an engrossing role-playing game well worth the 15 or so hours required to see it through.
In Battle Hunters, gamers initially take control of three from a roster of up to 25 heroes. Devon Highcastle, a soldier, Galador Stormwarden, a wizard, and Martin Swiftbow, an archer, have banded together in an effort to help keep evil from overrunning the kingdom. They go on a journey to meet the Old One, still able to hold the enemy at bay but slowly weakening over time, and, en route, they aim to overcome danger with their unique skill sets and special abilities. And even as the challenges presented before them become more and more difficult to overcome, they manage to recruit others to their cause.
For all the constraints of the iOS operating system, Battle Hunters proves to be an immersive escapade even for gamers not normally predisposed to spending significant amounts of time staring at small devices. The point-and-click interface is as smooth on the iPhone XS Max as on the iPad Pro, although the latter’s additional screen real estate does help in reading text and selecting command options faster. Loading times are fast, but the absence of a fast-forward option to skip animations and cutscenes in favor of decision points can drag proceedings.
Battle Hunters likewise benefits from outstanding graphics and an engaging audio track, though the music can be overwhelming at times. Menu options isolating it from sound effects and controlling its volume would have been welcome. The good news: Phase Two Games has promised to keep supporting and updating it in keeping with Tonkin and Charlton’s promise to deliver titles they themselves would like to play. Which is why there are no in-app purchases, no pay-to-play alternatives, no forced advertising sections. And which is also why it has actively solicited gamer feedback. At $5.99, it’s a decided steal, and one that looks to keep on giving.
THE GOOD
- Wholly immersive from the get-go
- Integrated tutorial allows gamers to hit the ground running
- Outstanding graphics and engaging audio track
- Smooth point-and-clock interface
THE BAD
- Music cannot be isolated from sound effects
- No fast-forward option to skip animations and cutscenes
- Does not provide for equipment and weaponry upgrades
RATING: 8.5/10
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