République: Episode 1
République, a Kickstarterfunded stealth title, is something of an anomaly. Rather than being an out-and-out mobile game, it transcends the platform and resembles something far more forward thinking than is usually available on handheld devices.
Camouflaj and Logan have managed to create a mobile game with a mobile price point that ticks a lot of the boxes that big-budget console leviathans fail to on a daily basis. It’s ambitious, conceptual, precise and – crucially – works properly. We are subjected to sub-standard touch controls in iOS games more often than we’d like, and so République finds itself in a strong position. To finally be offered something that gets all of its fundamentals right without trying to peddle a steaming pile of microtransactions and contrived social features is refreshing.
And what’s even more impressive is that République’s features are well executed even when they are so numerous. As well as the neatly engineered touch controls there are several genre influences at work here that tip their proverbial hats to several successful franchises – at times the stealth elements hark back to the early Metal Gear days, and there are thematic comparisons to be made with Deus Ex.
The game purveys a sterile, Orwellian dystopia in which people are punished for consuming sensitive materials – it’s not the most trailblazing narrative at this point, but there are still several episodes to follow that will build upon it.
The key gameplay hook here is that you don’t control a player-character – instead you are a disembodied figure that aids Hope, the main character, by taking control of security cameras and unlocking doors for her. You then direct her by touching the screen, allowing you to order her to snap into cover or pepper spray an assailant.Touching an Illuminati-style eye in the top-right pauses the action and puts you into ‘OmniView’, your main point of call when interacting with République’s features.
OmniView enables you to pause the action and jump between security feeds. What this does is allow you to plan ahead before directing Hope to move. This is a key dynamic, and provides the game with an almost turn-based strategy focus reminiscent of Mode 7’s superb Frozen Synapse. It’s not particularly tough, but to have to consider every situation carefully before committing Hope to a movement is a great inclusion.
A well-realised stealth adventure, this first instalment is a testament to the experience of its developers, a group of individuals with credits on titles as diverse as Metal Gear Solid 4, Mass Effect 2 and F.E.A.R. This is indie done right; a title that makes the most of its limited resources to create something unique and engaging.
DETAILS
Format: iOS
Other Formats: PC, Mac
Origin: USA
Publisher: Camouflaj, Logan
Developer: In-house
Release: Out now
Players: 1
Online Reviewed: N/A
Nice Post!! I also have a website, here I providing gaming content.
ReplyDelete