It looks like EA is going to have some competition with the new titles it just launched. Gameloft has just released six games for RIM’s tablet, running the gamut from sci-fi shooter to soccer. UNO HD is the classic card game, complete with multiplayer and various game modes. Asphalt 6: Adrenaline HD is a racing game, and might seem a little redundant since Need for Speed Undercover was already preloaded on the PlayBook. Star Front: Collision HD is a StarCraft-style real-time strategy game, with online multiplayer options available. Modern Combat 2 is a first-person shooter that looks an awful lot like Call of Duty, including rank progressions and unlockable weapons. N.O.V.A. 2 HD is Gameloft’s successful sci-fi franchise, and brings Halo-style gaming to mobile. Finally, Real Soccer 2011 HD is a pretty standard sports game, with stat tracking and replays.
Although many of Gameloft’s titles are shameless “homages” to established properties, the breadth and quality of their games excuses any lack of originality. Personally, I would love to see their World of Warcraft clone, Order & Chaos, on the PlayBook, especially since BlackBerry App World supports subscriptions now. It’s really refreshing to see some high-end games hitting the PlayBook and showing what the thing is really capable of. Until now, most developers have been stuck trying to make something usable with Adobe AIR and and WebWorks, which might be enough for those really familiar with those tools, but the native QNX software development kit currently in beta will be what really enables devs to go to town with RIM’s tablet.
The cheapest among Gameloft’s new titles is UNO HD, running for $4.99. Real Soccer 2011 HD, Star Front: Collision HD, Modern Combat 2: Black Pegasus HD, Asphalt 6: Adrenaline HD, and N.O.V.A. 2 HD are all going for $6.99.