Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Gaming, Software, iPhone, App Store, iPod touch
Payback brings a GTA clone to the iPhone
Grand Theft Auto isn't out for the iPhone, but Payback is --it's basically a 3D version of the old top-down GTA gameplay, improved with better rendering and lighting. You control the game by pressing "buttons" on the screen, and tilting the iPhone around, and Touch Arcade says it works well. Some missions are apparently tough, but in terms of what GTA is really about -- driving around and generally causing mayhem -- Payback will deliver.Unfortunately, textures (both visual and audio) are rough, as are the actual physics, so it seems Payback is more of a "GTA could work on the iPhone" demo rather than an actual game (though of course you can play it, it probably just won't be as fun). Still, we're in favor of any game reaching high on the iPhone, and this one definitely does.
Payback is out in the App Store now, for a substantial $6.99. But it's worth it, especially if you're a big GTA fan, just to see such a complex game on Apple's little handheld. Video on the next page.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jason Brennan said 12:14PM on 1-29-2009
I guess it's all relative, but I would hardly call $6.99 "substantial". Think about what you're getting, for 7 bucks. You can't even get an album on iTunes for 7bucks.
This whole "race to 99 cents" thing for apps is disturbing. I doubt many devs want to invest a lot of time in apps if they're only selling it for 99 cents.
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KarlW said 1:46PM on 1-29-2009
At 99c, they're going to get more sales, which may compensate for the lower per-unit price and in many cases will actually provide a greater overall return.
jeroen said 4:49PM on 1-29-2009
I agree (as an iPhone developer).
For longtail, 99 cents is okay. For the first period we should be able to charge 9.99 easily. Development is expensive!
Meyer Schoeman said 10:38PM on 1-30-2009
I have to fully agree with you Jason. Most people who own an iPhone are most likely not impoverished, so why not stop the bitching and whining about anything more than a dollar? And the last time I checked nobody was forced to buy any app........
Tom said 12:17PM on 1-29-2009
Watched some of the YouTube video in HD, looks like a good game. Almost a dead ringer for GTA2. The main characters voice cracks me up.
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niknak said 12:29PM on 1-29-2009
http://uk.gamespot.com/gba/action/payback/index.html
Remake of a 5 year old GBA game. It wasn't any good back then and i don't reckon it will be improved by having no buttons.
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utterer said 12:30PM on 1-29-2009
I remember this game came out for Mac right around the time GTA 2 was out / hype was building for GTA3.
It stunk.
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Tom said 12:35PM on 1-29-2009
It's a port of an Amiga game.
The original had slightly better lighting after a couple of updates, but having tried the iPhone version it still looks very nice in motion. It looks like the first 3D acceleration version on the Amiga.
It's a better game than GTA 2 in my opinion (which was a step down from the first one even though it was prettier) and I've had far more fun with it than any of the 3D GTA games that followed.
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Asmodeus Dhoine said 1:17PM on 1-29-2009
Come on!.. The game's great, way better that all other racing/shooters/whatever games in the store. And the graphics is very good, considering that 1) it's an iPhone 2) it doesn't even lag!.
There IS one thing, though - it crashes when I try to load saved game :-/ And the devs' site is kinda crappy and useless.
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brnmbrns said 3:04PM on 1-29-2009
How can you say this is more of a demo to show it CAN run a GTA-esque game but then say $6.99 is worth it!?
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Chris said 4:14PM on 1-29-2009
Rockstar should just port GTA 1 to the iphone- problem solved.
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spyker said 4:30PM on 1-29-2009
"Unfortunately, textures (both visual and audio) are rough, as are the actual physics, so it seems Payback is more of a "GTA could work on the iPhone" demo rather than an actual game"
I'd have to disagree. The textures aren't amazing, but they look fine on a small screen (and better than GTA DS) and the physics are fine. I have really been enjoying playing through the 6 story levels (with tons of missions) and some rampage mode on the 11 maps. Also, the production value is quite high, with voice acting and music.
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jack said 6:49AM on 3-02-2009
I got one of these in china off the website http://www.wholesalediy.com and it is a sweet deal I love the phone works great I just threw my sim card from my old phone into it and away i went
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host said 3:38AM on 5-11-2009
good store website : http://www.13sz.com
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Rita said 2:24AM on 5-21-2009
It's a better game than GTA 2 in my opinion (which was a step down from the first one even though it was prettier) and I've had far more fun with it than any of the 3D GTA games that followed.
http://www.wholesalediy.com
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