Heavy Mach 2, the 3D top-down follow-up to the previously 2D side-scrolling tank combat game, has been released by IndieApps in the app store. Utilizing an open world that is less about getting from one side of the screen to the other and more about completing missions and upgrading your weapons for future battles, Heavy Mach 2 has taken one of our favorite games and made significant changes for the better.
Heavy Mach 2 Pros:
- Effective control scheme
- Environments and machs look terrific
- Heavy and intense action
- Great character and realism
- Tons of customization options
Heavy Mach 2 Cons:
- No support for playing music from your library
- Annoying and time-consuming double tap selection method
- Not clear which portals lead to which maps
At its core, Heavy Mach 2 involves accepting missions from the Command Center, outfitting your Mach’s “arms” with crazy weapons, blasting enemies to smithereens, collecting various parts, earning credits and experience points, and continuing to upgrade your rig until you’re the baddest on the block. There is a strong RPG-element to this version, as you are basically questing and earning points to level up. The Equipment Shop allows you to purchase various upgrades to your body, feet, and arms for maximum strength, speed, and butt-whooping. A quick trip to the Maintenance Shop allows you to play fashion show until you’re satisfied with your configuration. Even the new environments are reminiscent of the various RPGs that have popped up within the iDevice landscape. This new perspective, as well as the visually new perspective of viewing your tank battles from above instead of from the side, has really given the Heavy Mach series new life and created something quite stunning.
Another of the big differences is the control system. Whereas Heavy Mach requires tilt controls to drive your relatively normal-looking tank back-and-forth in the side-scrolling version, Heavy Mach 2 has adopted tapping and line-drawing control mechanisms that we’ve seen used so successfully in countless other games. Not only is it a more effective control scheme, but it eliminates the need to play within a stable environment that won’t affect the accelerometer. Simply tap where you want to move and your mach follows. Double-tapping enables you to dash quickly, avoiding incoming enemy fire and positioning you to counterattack. Similarly, you can draw a line and the mach will follow your line rather than take an A-to-B route. Attacking is accomplished by tapping on an enemy, as they will then become the target of your auto-firing weapon arms. If you really get in deep, purchasable helper bots and airstrikes may be just the thing to lead you to victory. The action is heavy and intense, but it’s also a lot of fun.
Graphically, the environments and machs look terrific, with well-rendered shading and textures, as well as great attention to detail. It’s a far cry from the slightly cartoonish look of the original. The machs look visually different based on the weapons with which they are equipped and the upgrades you’ve made to their bodies. Even the way they move gives the impression of heavy weight distribution, which adds great character and realism. The soundtrack is a bit arcade-like. While it’s not the greatest, it’s also not too annoying, either. Unfortunately, there doesn’t appear to be support for playing music from your library, so you’re kind of stuck listening to it whether you like it or not.
There were a few quirks that we weren’t thrilled with, but again, they aren’t dealbreakers. Most selections require double-taps, as the first tap brings up an explanation of the item you’ve tapped on. The first time you experience the game, this is helpful. After that, it’s just annoying and time-consuming. The quick use slots on the right side of the game area are a bit in the way and easy to accidentally tap. Of course, these only require a single tap to activate. The bar’s placement also prevents us from reaching the extreme side of the map. It would be nice if it could be tucked away somehow. It’s also not clear which portals lead to which maps and where you can receive certain items. A little more direction would have been appreciated, though the exploration aspect of the game kind of ties into this obscurity, so we can let it slide.
Replay value is very good, as there are tons of options for customizing your mach and plenty of great battles in which to take part. Given the choices you make, no two battles will be the same. Future updates will include new maps, missions, weapons, and more, adding to the value of the game and the scope of options available to you. There are also three save slots, so multiple people can play without affecting the progress of another. At an introductory price of $2.99, Heavy Mach 2 is a great value that looks stunning, plays well, and is packed with 4-Dimple goodness.
