VH on Mobile + Dogs of War
Nov. 5th, 2014 08:41 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
yuuagoAfter playing the iOS version of Valiant Hearts for a while, I came to some conclusions about it. So, crossposted from the tumblr post I made about iOS vs Windows versions here-
Some observations after playing Valiant Hearts on both iOS and Windows
After I finished playing Valiant Hearts on my computer, I decided to play the mobile version on my itouch. I haven’t finished it on mobile yet, but I’ve played through enough to be able to get a good impression of the game as far as computer vs mobile game goes.
The game content is the same, so there is definitely no need to play both versions. The difference in playing one over the other comes down to what system/gadgets you have available for playing, and what your play preferences are (mobile vs stationary).
VH can be played on iphone/ipod, but the tiny screen can cause the controls to be a bit tricky for anything that requires precision. I’ve found that anything involving throwing is difficult, as well as using ladders. Getting through certain parts of the game has been significantly more difficult on the mobile version, and I spent a lot more time having to re-try things because of getting blown up (and such) than I did while playing it on the computer. People playing it on ipad probably would not have as much difficulty, due to using a larger screen, but I still don’t think it would compare to the ease of use and the precision of the keyboard controls in the computer version.
Also, downloaded content should be taken into consideration. When initially paying for and downloading the iOS version, you receive Chapter 1 of the game. Chapters 2-4 need to be paid for/downloaded separately; these can be bought individually or in a package. The total cost (if buying as a package) adds up to roughly the same amount as the stationary version, but having to add on Chapters 2-4 is inconvenient. It could be useful if someone wants to try it out but isn’t sure if they want to play the whole thing, but considering the type of game that Valiant Hearts is, I think it would be much more likely that someone would want the whole game available to them at the beginning without having to add parts of it on separately.
So, after trying both, I think the iOS version would mainly appeal to:
*Anyone who wants to play VH but doesn’t have a computer that can run the game.
*Anyone with a very strong preference for mobile gaming, as long as they’re willing to work with the mentioned issues above.
But for those who are able to run the Windows version, I’d strongly encourage doing that instead, due to the better ease of gameplay with the keyboard and the DLC issue in the mobile iOS version.
Regardless of which version you use, it’s definitely a game worth playing.
The main issue is definitely the controls; the DLC is just a minor complaint. I think that what I might do next is try to find my itouch stylus (because I do have one) and see if using that makes playing any easier. Otherwise, I have no flucking clue how I will clear some of the more difficult parts of the game, like Chemin des Dames; that one was practically impossible to get through even when using the keyboard.
I kind of wish I could play one of the game console versions, just so I could compare that to the Windows and iOS versions and see what the feel of it is, buuuut... I don't have that available, so. Anyway.
One neat thing - tomorrow (Nov 6th) there's going to be something new for download (as stated on the official tumblr here). "Valiant Hearts: Dogs of War". And since I've already paid for the mobile VH, this is free. :D "An interactive comic book"... I wonder what they mean by that, exactly? Guess I'll see when it's up.
Anyway, I'm going to try not to speculate very much until it's released and I get a chance to sit down and look at it. I'm not sure if it's pushing the educational angle or the character/narrative angle more. It looks like it's mainly about Walt and other dogs... there's another cap elsewhere on the tumblr, but it's definitely not enough to draw conclusions.
Some observations after playing Valiant Hearts on both iOS and Windows
After I finished playing Valiant Hearts on my computer, I decided to play the mobile version on my itouch. I haven’t finished it on mobile yet, but I’ve played through enough to be able to get a good impression of the game as far as computer vs mobile game goes.
The game content is the same, so there is definitely no need to play both versions. The difference in playing one over the other comes down to what system/gadgets you have available for playing, and what your play preferences are (mobile vs stationary).
VH can be played on iphone/ipod, but the tiny screen can cause the controls to be a bit tricky for anything that requires precision. I’ve found that anything involving throwing is difficult, as well as using ladders. Getting through certain parts of the game has been significantly more difficult on the mobile version, and I spent a lot more time having to re-try things because of getting blown up (and such) than I did while playing it on the computer. People playing it on ipad probably would not have as much difficulty, due to using a larger screen, but I still don’t think it would compare to the ease of use and the precision of the keyboard controls in the computer version.
Also, downloaded content should be taken into consideration. When initially paying for and downloading the iOS version, you receive Chapter 1 of the game. Chapters 2-4 need to be paid for/downloaded separately; these can be bought individually or in a package. The total cost (if buying as a package) adds up to roughly the same amount as the stationary version, but having to add on Chapters 2-4 is inconvenient. It could be useful if someone wants to try it out but isn’t sure if they want to play the whole thing, but considering the type of game that Valiant Hearts is, I think it would be much more likely that someone would want the whole game available to them at the beginning without having to add parts of it on separately.
So, after trying both, I think the iOS version would mainly appeal to:
*Anyone who wants to play VH but doesn’t have a computer that can run the game.
*Anyone with a very strong preference for mobile gaming, as long as they’re willing to work with the mentioned issues above.
But for those who are able to run the Windows version, I’d strongly encourage doing that instead, due to the better ease of gameplay with the keyboard and the DLC issue in the mobile iOS version.
Regardless of which version you use, it’s definitely a game worth playing.
The main issue is definitely the controls; the DLC is just a minor complaint. I think that what I might do next is try to find my itouch stylus (because I do have one) and see if using that makes playing any easier. Otherwise, I have no flucking clue how I will clear some of the more difficult parts of the game, like Chemin des Dames; that one was practically impossible to get through even when using the keyboard.
I kind of wish I could play one of the game console versions, just so I could compare that to the Windows and iOS versions and see what the feel of it is, buuuut... I don't have that available, so. Anyway.
One neat thing - tomorrow (Nov 6th) there's going to be something new for download (as stated on the official tumblr here). "Valiant Hearts: Dogs of War". And since I've already paid for the mobile VH, this is free. :D "An interactive comic book"... I wonder what they mean by that, exactly? Guess I'll see when it's up.
Anyway, I'm going to try not to speculate very much until it's released and I get a chance to sit down and look at it. I'm not sure if it's pushing the educational angle or the character/narrative angle more. It looks like it's mainly about Walt and other dogs... there's another cap elsewhere on the tumblr, but it's definitely not enough to draw conclusions.
Yuu. Fic writer & book lover. M/Canada.