On iPhone
Game: Rimelands: Hammer of Thor
Price: $4.99 / £2.99
Size: 58.7 MB
Get it now at the iTunes store:US/UK
On iPad
Game: Rimelands: Hammer of Thor
Price: $4.99 / £2.99
Size: 58.7 MB
Get it now at the iTunes store:US/UK
Above: It’s not gorgeous in still screens, but we’ve no complaints about Rimelands’ looks in motion
As if poking a touch screen to send an armor-clad warrior maiden slashing, blasting, and spellcasting through catacombs filled with sweet loot wasn't nerdy enough, Rimelands: Hammer of Thor had to throw dice into the mix. Arguably the first ever turn-based action RPG (we know that’s a contradiction of terms, but it’s totally what it feels like) this dungeon crawler looks a lot like Diablo but fights a lot like Dungeons & Dragons – by rolling for hits and damage. In our book, that’s a formula that just doesn't fail.
Rimelands’ story gets rolling following a cataclysmic ice age that forced humanity to head underground and live in Fallout-esque vaults. Civilization eventually emerges once again to a surface world filled with strange creatures and steampunk wizardry. A lady of many talents, your character battles human and nonhuman foes on her simple-job-turned-epic-quest, along the way expanding her skills in the areas of combat, magic, and technology (which translate roughly to barbarian, mage, or ranged assassin).
Above: You roll for attack, they roll for defense. Somehow, it works beautifully
These turn-based battles are where Rimelands really shines - and geeks out. Attacks and blocking attempts are accompanies by rolled die marked with skulls and shields. Both combatants roll to see who racks up the higher score to determine how much damage is dealt. It's primitive, nerdy, and oh-so-satisfying. Rimelands is a hands-down great pick for getting your dungeon crawling RPG fix. And thanks to its turn-based nature, none of the control quibbles that plague most iOS action RPGs are a problem here. This one’s been out for awhile, so you might have found it already. If you haven’t, you should absolutely give this hammer a swing.
Feb 3, 2011
