Let me start it off with this: the voice acting is actually decent this time around. Looks like Gameloft finally listened.

Modern Combat 3: Fallen Nation (Universal: $6.99)

Putting that aside though, Modern Combat 3 is an awesome looking game. The game is set here in America as we are being invaded, and all the environments look stunning, even small details such as seeing the price of gas at a gas station, rather than some compressed texture.

Presentation

Along with that, all the character models look great. Making a combat from Modern Combat 2 is the slow-mo kill shot that plays once you get a headshot on the enemy. It feels like a new, and strong engine. Although we know that Gameloft has a license to use the Unreal Engine for new games, this engine could easily be used more if they wanted to.

Controls

The controls are awkward, but that can easily be fixed. Apart from adding a run button (and a slide function that you can do by pressing crouch while running), by default Gameloft is using a new control scheme, which felt awkward on the iPhone. When I tried playing it, it felt like there was too much stuff on screen and I couldn’t play.

On the iPad however, it finally felt like Gameloft nailed FPS controls on the larger screen. So what’s the fix? Just change the control scheme on settings to “Classic Controls” if it bothers you. And if you’re really picky you can even go as far as moving the sprint and crouch icon to wherever you prefer having it on screen. Phew, you had me scared there for a second Gameloft.

Gameplay

For all that we have praised the single player in most Gameloft games, Modern Combat 3 felt like a step backwards. Like with NOVA 2, Gameloft tried making the latest entry to a series harder and faster than before.

However with ‘Fallen Nation’ it’s a bit out of hand. The game will at times just throw endless enemies your way, which becomes pretty frustrating, since you’ll be dying very often no matter how hard you try. The same words goes to the enemy AI, because it’s practically non-existent. They have a set path and once they reach it, they shoot at you. Kill him? Cool, because another enemy will appear and do exactly the same thing.

All that being said though, the multiplayer mode saves the game from hitting rock bottom. It simply did exactly what Gameloft intended to do: be the best multiplayer FPS on the AppStore. The game comes with six maps and seven gameplay modes, and allows up to 12 people in a match at a time.

Each level has its own unique different look, and are pretty large and varied. Also new are the bonuses you get. Not only are you now able to customize your weapon (add whatever sights, optics, supressor, etc.), but you now get perks. For example, if you get a long enough kill streak, you’ll be able to run a satellite scan to show your enemies positions on the map. You’ll also have a button to call in an airstrike.

Conclusion

Like many other FPS (even console titles), you won’t be buying it for the campaign, what you really want is the multiplayer. Although it is disappointing that Gameloft rushed the campaign on what would have otherwise been a perfect title, the new things in multiplayer make up for it. Modern Combat 3 is a universal app, and Gameloft finally nailed the controls on the iPad. I’d highly recommend it regardless of what device you’re planning to play it on.