Readers Digest version: Do not hesitate, buy this game immediately, especially for $2.
Long version:
Wolfenstein 3D for the iPhone/iPod Touch is arguably the definitive version of Wolfenstein 3D. It contains everything that made the original PC version excellent, while adding some technical and gameplay features that update the design for modern sensibilities.
The core game remains untouched. Wolf 3D is the granddaddy of FPS, and while practically every aspect is simple compared to modern games, the game remains fun. Let's not spend too much time discussing the basics, since you and I know them well. You explore Nazi fortresses floor by single level floor, doing battle with Nazi soldiers and their zombie experiments. The game is divided into 6 episodes, and each episode culminates with a boss battle against some ridiculous person. You cannot look up. You cannot look down. There are 3 weapons, and each one completely replaces the one before it. There is treasure to be collected, dog food to eat, and secrets to discover.
So what then does this version of Wolf 3D bring to the table? Oh my, so much.
First, while the graphics themselves are largely untouched, performance is impeccable. Framerate is very solid, only occassionally dropping during very heavy activity (and even then, usually something non-game critical like picking up 30 treasures in fast succession.) The game is played with the phone/touch in landscape, and it renders in widescreen. This has very little effect on gameplay, but it certainly makes the game look better than chopping off the sides (hi, DOOM XBLA.)
I want to emphasize untouched. None of the gore has been removed (and it's kind of funny how little gore there is for a game that created so much controversy with its violent content.) More importantly, none of the Nazi iconography has been changed. You are still surrounded by Swastikas, Iron Eagles and other Nazi decorations. And yes, that man still awaits you at the end of the third episode.
The controls are done via the touchscreen. Real talk: they ain't the greatest. But once you get over the initial learning curve, the game's rather pleasant to control. One very nice thing is that the open door button has gone away. Doors open when you walk into them, and the same is true for secrets. This is the kind of "dumbing down" that I can get behind.
You have the option of splitting up turning and strafing for true PC Gaming style control, but I opted for the default which has no strafing and maps forward, back and turning to the left side of the screen. With a little practice, I was exploring maps with ease and plugging Nazi's from across vast hallways.
Speaking of maps, Wolf 3D features a real time map that updates as you explore the level, and can be accessed at any time. It makes searching for secrets much easier, as you can see the overall layout of the map and get a better idea of where hidden rooms might be located. The game also informs you when you've killed every enemy on a floor, or found all the treasure, or all the secrets. A nice touch.
Finally, and this is kind of a simple thing but something I came to really enjoy, there is no quicksave. The game autosaves whenever you exit, and that's the only way to record your progress. If you are killed, it's back to the beginning of the map with full health, the basic handgun and 8 bullets. What is cool about that is how it adds a very arcade style feel to the game. Instead of quicksave jumping through hard encounters, you have to exploit the strength you've built up over the last floors, or else start over with the basics and build yourself back up again. This also encourages you to explore for secrets, since that's often the best way to re-arm after dying.
I love Wolf 3D on the iPhone/iPod Touch. After playing it for a while, I decided to fire up Wolf 3D on my PC. Get that real feeling, fingers on keyboard and what not. After a few minutes, I went back to the iPod version. It's just that good.
Many, many words, and we're back to the beginning. Wolfenstein 3D for iPod Touch/iPhone is incredible. At $2, it is inarguably the best game on the platform. I paid like $10 for MGS Touch, and that game is a complete piece of shit compared to Wolf 3D.
Don't sleep, go buy this game.
