Price: $0.99 Score: 7/10 Category: Games
Havoc is a fairly unique concept, for a simple iPhone game, and if it wasn’t for a few design flaws in the actual mechanics, it would probably be hitting 9 or even 10 out of 10.
The initial premise is pretty basic of all lightweight adventure games; get from one side of the map to the other. To do this, you need to break obstacles in your path, or you’ll take damage when you hit them.
However, you only have a very limited number of ‘bullets’ (which appear to be small boulders) to do this with, and the only way to get more is to pick them up as you walk along. This adds a unique strategy element to the basic adventure game formula that requires more than button mashing and luck for guaranteed victory; it makes you THINK. Scary stuff.
On top of this, rather than just getting past the end goal, you need to score a certain amount of points from destroying obstacles and hitting bonuses which move across the screen in order to progress; and the actual points requirements are considerably high, making the game a challenge even from an early point. The graphics are quirky and charming, and the story behind it is pretty basic, but at least coherent.
Unfortunately, the actual points requirements aren’t very well explained before the level starts, and the game has an infuriating habit of mistaking your touches on ammo for touches on enemies; that is, if you tap some spare ammo on the ground to pick it up, there’s a 20/30% chance your monster will throw a bit of ammo at it simultaneously, making your net gain of ammunition an impressive 0. This has never stopped me from beating a level, but it is very frustrating, especially if you’re going for a high score. If a quick patch can fix this, Havoc could easily be the most accessible and original adventure game available on the iPhone. Sequel please!