I haven’t played the earlier version of this game – Chopper. And I am kicking myself for having missed it.
However, if you are like me and missed the first version, you have to get this new and improved game Chopper 2. Let’s see why I say that.
The first thing that jumps at you in the game is the 3D effects in the landscapes and instructions. Chopper 2 is built as a Universal app so it works both on the iPhone and iPad. It is an amazing deal at the launch sale price of $2.99 if you have both iPhone & iPad.
The graphics are eye popping and the effects are very cool on the iPad as well as in the iPhone 4’s Retina Display.
Game Play
The game starts out very simple and builds up with weapons and controls. It is essentially a side scrolling game where you tilt up/down to fly/land the helicopter. You tilt sideways to move forward or backward.
You fire your machine gun by just touching the screen anywhere. If you press and hold you will see an onscreen arc which you can trace to change the direction of fire.
You will notice that the landscape itself is kind of in a 3D thanks to the author David Frampton’s Magic Jungle software.
The game has 36 action packed missions over 12 unique and beautiful locations. The firing and 3d engine have totally been rewritten and you will see the difference instantly.
In fact, the instructions in the game are also rendered in kind of a 3D effect with great music to go with the game. It actually features a 17 minute long original soundtrack and with the OpenAL’s spatial sound effects it will be a shame to play this game on mute.
The game is rendered with HD graphics on both iPad and iPhone 4 and it looks absolutely gorgeous on the iPad’s larger screen!
On the iPhone 4, it even utilizes the iPhone 4 gyroscope for increased controls.
iPad Coolness
If you have both an iPhone or iPod Touch and an iPad, you are probably already jumping on this deal of $2.99 for both devices. Wait until you hear this.
You can use the game’s remote control feature and control the chopper wirelessly with your iPhone or iPod Touch over Bluetooth. How cool is that? It includes all iDevices except the first generation iPhone and iPod Touch.
Also, you can TV out this game from the iPad and play it with this Bluetooth remote control on your TV!
If there is one thing that I have nitpick about this game is the missile bomb control. You have to be perfectly still to fire it and aim right. The slightest move sends it off course. Maybe I haven’t figured out how to do it right.
I rarely give a 5 out of 5 for an iPhone game but this is a ground breaking effort from David Frampton and is definitely one of those games that redefines the iDevice gaming landscape forever.
If you are a fan of Coldstone Creamery, Chopper 2 game is a ‘I gotta have it!’
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Availability: App Store
Price: $2.99 (Universal app – launch sale price)
Reviewed at version: 1.0
