Review - Modern Combat: Sandstorm

As we already introduced you a little over a month ago, Gameloft launched long ago Modern Combat: Sandstorm, a game set in the Gulf War. After a while, we bring you a review in which we analyze the points for and against this shooter which, in our opinion, deserves a better position in the ranking of the AppStore.

The first thing that catches the eye of Modern Combat: Sandstorm are your graphics. Whether we have been lucky enough to try it, or if we have only seen the images of the game, its careful graphics attract our attention.
Modern Combat: Sandstorm resembles several titles already available on the AppStore, but the resemblance is more than remarkable with the game Brothers In Arms, a shooter set in World War II.
But let's put the comparisons aside for the moment, and take a look at the game itself.

For fans of PC games, this game would be the version of Call Of Duty 4, for the iPhone / iPod Touch.

In this case, we play the head of the special commands of the United States, managing a team of soldiers on the mission Sandstorm (Sandstorm).

With Modern Combat: Sandstorm do not expect to find a well polished and worked history. The characters are more or less the same, even physically. There is also no story of them that gives a touch of originality to the game, or intrigue. The game will consist of charging the maximum number of enemies. Point.
This is a reproach that could be made to the game, not including any background story, even if it is to set us a bit in the game.

What are we left with then? Well, with the aim of the game, which is very simple. Go through the different phases of the game, surviving as long as possible, and guiding our steps where they force us, to the control points automatically located by the game. If they manage to end our life, we will start the current screen from the last checkpoint.

As you can see, the game does not have much intrigue in terms of history and operation.
Moreover, one point that we did not like at all is the fact of receiving a call in the middle of a game. You can forget to start the level from the last checkpoint. We will be forced to start from the beginning of the mission. The same is true if we exit the game for any reason.

Unfortunately, the structure and flow of the game are too linear. The movements are very restricted, and we will not only have to endure be guided through all the phases of the game, but also a series of green arrows will be in charge of reminding us.

Well, after these first criticisms, let's analyze the positive points, which also has them.

In the weapons section, we highlight how well achieved the graphic effects of the different weapons are, as well as their range. In the same way, the effects of the grenades are also very well achieved.
In total, we have 2 assault rifles, a sniper rifle, a missile launcher, a shotgun, a submachine gun, a light machine gun, explosive and blinding grenades. Come on, a whole arsenal to blow up an entire city.

Modern Combat: Sandstorm It includes 9 missions, not counting the first one, which is a training mission. Each mission lasts on average between 15 and 20 minutes. This means that finishing the game takes about 3 hours, a duration that is not bad when compared to other games available for the iPhone / iPod Touch.
There are three different levels of difficulty for the game.

Unfortunately, we have to highlight another negative point of this game, and it is the absence of a multiplayer mode, which would make it much more interesting.

Now let's move on to the most sensitive point of this type of game: the controls.

Fortunately, Gameloft has managed to implement excellent controls for Modern Combat: Sandstorm. These are made up of a USB stick analog to control movement, a button dedicated to shooting. Finally, to aim or to change the viewing angle, simply by pressing and dragging your finger on the screen we can rectify our view without major problems.

This does not end here. There is a second control mode, which we found more comfortable.
The screen is divided into two parts. Tapping on the left side, the USB stick analog, and from there we can control the movement. By touching the right part we can aim by sliding our finger on the screen, and with a single touch, we will shoot. This mode is the one we liked the most, since it allows us to aim while shooting. However, it doesn't always work quite right.

Finally, there is a third control option. A USB stick analog on the left to control movement, and another on the right to aim. Tapping anywhere on the screen will trigger the shot. Without a doubt, this last control mode has seemed the most complicated of the three.

In any of the control modes there is an option that will allow us to activate or deactivate the help when aiming. If we have it activated, it will not be too funny to play, so we recommend that you deactivate it to give a little more life to the game.

If at any time we want to change weapons, we must click twice on the weapon that we have activated. Pressing only once we will reload our weapon.

As a summary for this section, we must highlight how well the game controls are achieved. Since ActualidadiPhone we have not tried any other yet shooter that is as simple to handle as Modern Combat: Sandstorm.

Finally, I would like to highlight again the good graphics that this game has. When it comes to shooters, they are the best, there is no doubt: both the textures and the characters are really well done.

In the sound section, we must highlight the good work of the team of Gameloft, since it is a point that also stands out for its good quality.

In conclusion I have to admit that although the gaming experience has not been one of the best, Modern Combat: Sandstorm is a game that is definitely worth trying, for its good sound effects, excellent graphics and incredible game controls.

You can buy it directly in the AppStore from the following link:  

at a price of € 5,49.

As always, do not hesitate to tell us your impressions and opinions of this game.