Our rating: By: Gameloft Version #: 1.4.0 Date Released: 2010-10-07 Developer: Price: 0.99 User Rating: Loading... Loading... Download App

When I saw James Cameron’s Avatar (the movie version), I have to admit it was a great spectacle and not much of a story. Fortunately, the spectacle translates well to the iPhone and the price has been reduced by a whopping 90% (down to 99 cents from 10 bucks).

The graphics are terrific and even look more impressive on the retina display (I own an old iPod touch as well as a new iPhone so I can compare). The controls are a little tough to get the hang of but the game comes with a training module to help the hopeless like myself.

One aspect of the game I’m not too keen on is the inability to control the perspective of the Na’vi main character. Basically, the game moves your perspective for you which is kind of disappointing if you want to choose the direction you wish to look at. The game options are pretty basic, only allowing you to control orientation and music and sound effect volume.

Unlike other iPhone games with good graphics (such as Call of Duty with the zombies), this one actually takes a while to complete. While some of the combat can be repetitive, it does give you your money’s worth (particularly if you only spent a buck).

The game is narrated by Neytiri (who is, in actuality, Zoe Saldana). It’s nice when they can get the actors to participate in the game. However, the story actually takes place two decades before the events of the movie during the original Avatar program on Pandora.

Overall, the game is well worth the download, particularly at this price.