After the not so delightful first release hiccups, Payback officially ironed the kinks and is now back to take the world the second time around.

Payback ($6.99)

Everybody including us at The APPera, anticipated the re-release of one of the most sought after iPhone titles this 2009. Who wouldn’t? It was a must buy as soon as the first screenshots surfaced!

The game which provides a top down 3D view gameplay is reminiscent of the original Grand Theft Auto games stays true to their forefathers and makes them proud…

A Game Born For The iPhone

Followers of the Grand Theft Auto series should fit right into the game. It does not however discourage new fans of the genre with it’s intuitive controls and addicting gameplay.

Once you play Payback, you can tell that the way the controls work, it’s almost as if the game was born just for the iPhone (Trivia: Payback is also released on other platforms such as GameBoy Advance). Accelerometer controls your view 360 degrees and you use the bottom right buttons to move forward and back.

The bottom left of the screen contains buttons to activate current weapon selection plus the ability to enter/leave vehicles. The game does a rather great job of instilling a lot of buttons without looking cluttered at such a small screen.

Sandbox, Mini Missions and Challenges

The game provides mini missions relayed through payphones. It involves driving around different kind of cars to accomplish item delivery/pick ups to be accomplished against time to name a few. You die and get caught in the game as well just as you do in the original GTA games. It is great to note that Payback accomplishes the ability to cater to different iPhone gamers by providing three different modes:

1. Story. This is where most of the mini missions are relayed. In our opinion, this game should take you deep in the game in somewhat of a more structured format.
2. Challenge. In this mode, you need to accomplish a certain number of points in order to proceed to the next level. You can accomplish points by stealing cars, performing tasks etc.
3. Rampage. For us, this is the most sandbox mode of them all where you can just completely touch anything and figure out how everything works.

Hidden Gems

Besides the ability to save replays, a lot of people have reported to have found different things from flamethrowers to boats to helicopters. We at The APPera have had such no luck regarding any transportation other than the ones with four wheels. We, however, managed to get a flamethrower and a remote activated bomb shown in action below. It is great that Apex was able to inject some easter eggs in the game to keep people at the edge of their seats.

 The Cherry On Top…

Would have to be the soundtrack. Each level and mode comes with unique songs that matches the theme of the level. Personal favorites include: Yellow Bag and The General by Dispatch. With these interchangeable songs ranging from contemporary to rock surely pushes the game to super stardom. We’d bet you’d be playing the songs in your head long after you put down the game.

Overall, the game is an INSANE value for the price you are getting. Presentation is great from top to bottom. The iPhone’s controls + Payback’s gameplay surely can’t be ignored in this day and age of online multiplayer and rich 3D graphics.

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