When people talk about games on the iPhone, one category that has never worked for me is simulation games. The concept involves lots of information on screen at once and a heavy level of attention to detail. Even the iPhone 4’s Retina Display can’t replicate this well on a 3.5″ screen, so the alternative becomes to dumb it down. Even the best attempts at this seem to fail, the reason being that sim games are all about complicated gameplay. Regular fans of the genre are turned off due to a lack of challenge and new players can’t get sucked in due it’s simplicity. We play these games to build worlds, run countries and become corporate gods, without this feeling the game just doesn’t work.
“Game Dev Story” however, proves it can be done.
The game is all about … well, game development. You are head of a small software development company somewhere around the 70’s, at a time where consoles were almost non existent and PC reigned supreme. Your task is simple, work your way up from basement development company to soulless overlord of the gaming world. This is done through choosing the type of game you wish to make (genre, type and system) and then set to work on the development and marketing. Simple right? Well on the most part, yes. The game doesn’t really push you mentally and most users can get to the end of the game without any tragic failures. However, the drive of the game lies in how far you can expand your company within the 21 year time frame given. The game will record how many “hall of fame” games you can make and how much money you can rake in with the time given. Again, simple but still challenging.
Your first office allows for four staff and at this stage your releases will not win any awards, so immediately you learn your first real game development truth. Cute games sell and adventure doesn’t. You spend a good portion of your early company days churning out anything that will sell and building capital in the hopes that your team will one day release that Call of Duty-esque world changer.
As the game continues and consoles begin to dominate, you as a player will learn the second big truth of gaming. Not every console sells. Picking the ones to back isn’t hard but still provides a few solid in-jokes for people who know the industry. Those who want to play it safe can stick with “Intrendo” and they will be fine.
If it is sounding a tad repetitious relax, the game will continue to evolve as you go. Game types go in and out of fashion, consoles rise and fall and there are plenty of risk and reward situations. Plus, it’s own awards ceremonies and E3 events.
The game is a hugely fun ride with heaps of replay ability and has an incredibly addictive nature. Players will find short sessions turning into all nighters, and every spare moment of their day stolen.
Game Dev Story is a near perfect mix, simplistic mechanics, cute 8-bit graphics and challenging gameplay. The game just feels incredibly balanced and is a must own for anyone who calls themselves a gamer.
Get more information about “Game Dev Story” by visiting iTunes, Click here.
– Josh
