iPhone App Review: Hero of Sparta

February 18, 2009 by Jason Kaneshiro

Hero of Sparta is a hack-and-slash adventure game where you guide buff-and-oiled King Argos through a mysterious island and beyond, slaying numerous monsters with a variety of weapons.

hero of sparta iphone and ipod touch game

The Good

Interesting game controls that make unique use of the iPhone touch screen. There’s a D-pad style button on the left to move your character, and a sword and shield button on the right side for attacking and defending. But the controls vary according to situation: you can drag and release the shield button to set off a special attack, and additional buttons appear at particular moments: a green “jump” button when you near certain platforms, or a blue, special move button that appears when you fight your way close to a weakened enemy. Pressing this blue button sets off a series of other buttons, which you can touch in sequence to set off a cool finishing move and animation.
A good amount of variety between levels. I’ve encountered additional weapons (love the bow and Hades’ Tears), scary enemies of various sizes, unique challenges (spikes and rotating platforms), and spooky environments (Atlantis, the Underworld). Additional things to look for are gems that increase your health and magic levels, and green shrines that replenish both.
Surprisingly good graphics by iPhone standards: the entire world is 3D. The perspective often shifts around your character from side view to far above, enhancing gameplay and adding more variety.

hero of sparta iphone and ipod touch game

The Bad

Not much strategy beyond keeping your eye on the health meter and knowing when to run.
Six pack abs and oil not included.

Conclusion

Surely, the “Sparta” in the game’s name is meant to recall the ultra-violent movie 300. In regards to epic heroism amid a large body count, Hero of Sparta succeeds. Beyond that, it’s the best platform-style game I’ve installed on my iPhone. Highly recommended, and worth the $5.99 price tag.