N.O.V.A. 2 iPhone Review

The original N.O.V.A. laid down a marker: this is what hardcore gaming on the iPhone can be like. Of course, a lot has changed in the year since Gameloft's sci-fi – some might even call it Halo-esque – shooter. Archetype proved that the iPhone can handle manic matches. Infinity Blade set a new benchmark for visuals. And Gameloft's own Modern Combat 2 was a bang-up shooter that strode beyond N.O.V.A.'s jumping off point.

And so N.O.V.A. 2 doesn't have that same initial pop. Greatness is no longer the exception because there are so many excellent iPhone games on a monthly basis. But even if that means N.O.V.A. 2 isn't a defining 2010 game, it's still an incredible ride and one of the best shooters for the iPhone. Kal has been recalled to active duty. There is some mumbo-jumbo about a human-alien alliance that Kal must protect, but it's all just a backdrop for N.O.V.A. 2's prime focus: shooting things. Whether it's corrupted soldiers, aliens, or robots, almost everything in N.O.V.A. 2 deserves to be blasted. Now, there's a reason why N.O.V.A. is compared to Halo. Gameloft obviously picked up on the flow and structure of Bungie's franchise. There are big set pieces strung together by small skirmishes and corridor shootouts. It's a still-effective formula, as you always look forward to the next huge moment, but the in-between stuff is never dull.

Enemies in N.O.V.A. 2 are pretty bright. Even hulking robots know to seek cover or draw your attention so a partner can flank your position. This means you cannot just stand out in the open and shoot. You also have to seek cover or master strafing techniques. With gyro controls, that's much easier to pull off because you can use your thumbs to move and shoot while aiming through tilts. Regular controls on older devices are totally functional, but the gyro controls cannot be beat. Between the precision of the gyro and N.O.V.A. 2's useful aim assists, you will pull off some great finesse shots with your ample weapon catalog.

I cannot leave out, though, my minor gripes about the crowded screen. Yes, you can customize your controls but there are almost too many things going on for your fingers – especially without any physical buttons. Weapon selection, reloading, grenades, special powers, jumping, shooting, running, pausing – you can only attach a few of these to muscle memory. It's difficult not to have to look at the buttons to find them in some situations, and if you glance at the wrong moment, it can be deadly.

Mech cockpit

N.O.V.A. 2 also includes vehicles. The bike is a neat addition, but the giant mechs you can hijack and use to wipe out entire approaching forces are the real gas here. When you climb into the cockpit of a mech and look out across giant arenas and hordes of aliens, you get a real feel for the scale of N.O.V.A. 2.

Speaking of scale, Gameloft upped the online component of N.O.V.A. 2 as well. Now, up to 10 players can participate in online matches. (N.O.V.A. 2 supports local multiplayer, but I suspect the majority of players will go for it online.) Oddly enough, N.O.V.A. 2 only uses Gameloft Live for matchmaking right now. I had hoped to see Game Center integration, but it's missing. There are multiple modes beyond traditional deathmatch, such as capture the flag and the killfest InstaGib. Like Modern Combat 2, Gameloft added a persistent persona for N.O.V.A. 2 where you gain experience for extra ranks and perks.

Multiplayer madness

Already, N.O.V.A. 2 is heating up. I'll be curious to see how things shake out when thousands of players cram the servers, but right now the lag is completely under control. The maps are nicely designed, too. My favorite so far is an alien temple with a lava floor that swallows up those not sure-footed. It's the smoothness and full-featured multiplayer that really puts N.O.V.A. 2 over the top. Even though I like the campaign of Modern Combat 2 more than N.O.V.A. 2, this is a great multiplayer game with lots of action.

Closing Comments

N.O.V.A. 2 is a stunning shooter that should not be missed, especially if you were a fan of the original. Everything has been improved, from the inclusion of the monster mechs to the 10-player online matches that work without hiccups. While it works on older devices, playing N.O.V.A. 2 with a Retina display and gyro is the way to go. The controls are smooth, which helps so much when the action gets furious. While there can be no doubt that N.O.V.A. 2 takes a lot of cues from Halo, there are far worse games to lean on for inspiration. Grab it.