iSink U – Nostalgic Battleship Game Gone 3D!
by Paul Wilks
Jul 1, 2011 8:17 AM –
Install
iSink U is a sturdy battleships game on Android. Surely everyone has played the old fashioned paper version of battleships, drawing out an private grid and barking “B5! D9! A13!” at your enemy. Ah yes, nostalgia. Anyway, Artificial Life Inc. have recreated this bite of history on the Android platform. With cool 3D graphics, immersive strategic gameplay and simple controls this is a fun and entertaining adaptation of that old school favourite.
Price: Free
Tested on: HTC Desire HD
Content Rating: Everyone
Pros & Cons:
Pros
- Plush comic-book style graphics.
- Thumping military soundtrack. Reminded me of playing Command & Conquer.
- Cool sound effects.
- Easy to use controls.
- Familiar gameplay.
- Range of vessels.
- Multi-player options.
- Different environments and maps to choose from.
Cons
- It’s a great time-killing game but, based on a very simple game concept, it might be suggested that it lacks some ‘depth’ (pun intentional).
- Aiming controls are a little frustrating.
Features:
iSink U reinvents the traditional paper-based battleships game into a beautiful 3D battle strategy game. Carefully place your vessels in the gridded area, you have a variety to choose from: Battleships and Carriers, Cruisers, Patrol Boats and submarines. Once placed you get to fire a series of shots into your enemies grid area. These shots are demonstrated in glorious 3D environment and you smoothly zoom into the gun turret of your chosen vessel as it fires. The shots land on the grid area you specified- hopefully you’ll hit one of the enemies which will give you a pleasing explosion. Miss and you get a disappointing ‘plop’ noise.
You have a choice of environments; ‘Frozen Front’, ‘Tropical’, ‘War Zone’ and another zone to unlock. These zones have 3 maps to choose from so you have healthy choice of arenas to demonstrate your skills in military strategy. Multiplayer mode is an awesome addition. Although this isn’t online multiplayer (which would be phenomenal) there is a head to head mode which works well.
Controls are good, although aiming your fire is a little fiddly. The cross-hairs do not always go immediately to the square you want it to, and it’s tricky getting it right. This minor issue aside the game plays well and the cool graphics and pumped up military music is very effective. The various sound effects also add the experience; loud explosions, submarine sonar and plops are all superb and well developed.
Obviously the game play on your own is a little limited and the thrills die down after extended play- although you do have that locked level to work on. Most people will have played the paper versions of battleships and the gameplay is ultimately limited to that unfortunately. I have no problem with this, and I think the game is a nice spin on a nostalgic childhood favourite, but those seeking continually new challenges might feel the game is a little restricted.
Watch on Mobile
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iSink U – 3D shooting perspective.
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iSink U – Enemies screen, ships invisible unless you hit them.
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iSink U – They missed!
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iSink U – My screen. My big ship has been hit. Not good.
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iSink U – Various worlds to play in.
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iSink U – Fleet, Submarine.
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iSink U – Fleet, Patrol Boat.
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iSink U – Fleet, Cruiser.
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iSink U – Fleet, Carrier.
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iSink U – Fleet, Battleship
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iSink U – Splash screen, pun intended.
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iSink U – Main menu.
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iSink U – Game tutorial.
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iSink U – Medals!
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iSink U – Rankings.
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iSink U – Extra game instructions.
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iSink U – Options.
Fun Factor:
I think iSink U is great fun and brilliant to play with friends. A great combination of familiar gameplay, superb 3D graphics, extended maps and locations make this a fun and enjoyable game to play.
Addictive:
I think one player gameplay is a little limited, but the 2 player head to head mode is superb fun and can easily bring you back to the game again and again.
Graphics:
Graphics have a lush comic book feel to them. 3D environments, moving waves and billowing smoke and splashing water effects contribute to a beautifully rendered game.
Accelerometer, Vibration & Sound:
As said, the sound effects and music is a real highlight. The music switches depending on the environment; thumping shanty music and cool military tracks and this really adds to the atmosphere. Like I mentioned, it reminded me a little of the music from the Command & Conquer strategy games so it comes across as a very polished element of the game.