In this review I will be looking at Ice Stars Hockey Lite – Available from the iTunes Application store, for the attractive price of “Free”. Notably there is a pro version of the game, which at the time of writing retails for 99 Cents US or Canadian, or 59p in the UK.
Ice Stars Hockey
Experience the “hottest” game on the iPhone claims the description. It describes giving you the ability to have variable speed, the ability to do one timers and the ability to hit other players.
You also have the ability to play a variety of mini games, alongside customising teams, music and the game speed.
It is worth noting that I am reviewing the “lite” version of the game, which has a 60 seconds time limit per game, and is more restrictive in allowing me to play the mini games.
(Menu Screen)
Presentation
The app’s icon is a simple cartoon profile of a violent looking hockey player, with a menacing grin. Its fairly attractive, and would be noticeable amongst your other menu items.
Depending on your Internet connection, the 36MB file shouldn’t take too long to download, obviously, if your doing it through 3G on your iPhone, or an even slower GPRS connection, expect it to take a while.
The game plays in landscape mode which obviously allows for full use of the screen, and the home menu is clearly laid out, with 6 options available to me, being “Play”, “Trophies”, “Stats”, “How to Play”, “Options” and a “Buy” button. These are spaced well enough apart for any user to be able to select the right option.
The menu graphics are nice, bright and crisp, relying heavily on a light blue colour. Teams are show by the jersey colour choice of either red, blue, yellow, green, brown or purple.
(Team selection stage)
Gameplay
The starting point for me with most games is the option menu, and with this game the options allow me to choose period duration (as this is the lite version its stuck at 1), The ability to turn Easy Pass on and off, the maximum fights per period (notably 1,2,3 or unlimited) and the ability to turn auto save on or off.
Also included is the game speed, pass speed, shot speed, the ability to calibrate your accelerometer, customise teams and audio settings.
Its worth noting that with the team settings you can choose your teams colour, names and location. Defaults are available, and the deafult names are tied to the original six teams – although I’m certain Chicago are not purple…
Moving on, the “How to play” section has quite cleverly chosen to use videos showing how to play the game – notably showing you – How to move, How to shoot, Face Off, Shoot-out (part 1 and 2), how to pass, opponent contact, brawl and a video guide on customising your game.
To play the game you must choose your preferred style of control, either with virtual buttons, or through touch and motion sensitivity.
Movement is made by using the virtual analogue stick that appears in the left hand side, or by tilting the unit in the direction of play.
Shooting is a little more complex depending on your choice of control, For a normal shot you simply flick the puck into the net or use the virtual A button, Tap the player for a power shot (or hold the A button), Double tap for a One Time (or double tap the A button), or you can hold for a power shot.
Passese can be made by either swiping the screen in the direction you want to pass, or by pressing the virtual B button. To hit a player you simply tap a player next to you (when you don;t have possession), or you hit the A button again. To fight, it uses a first person view and you simply tap the screen where you wish to hit the player.
Shootouts are nice and simple, with the option of choosing your pucks aim by tap, or if your on the other side simply tilting your unit to move the goalie.
I chose to play two games using both styles of control – Firstly, I chose motion.
Sadly, as much as I wanted to like the idea of motion controls, I found the response to be fairly sluggish, and it to be awkward to both tilt my iPhone and to shoot or hit a player at the same time. The up side is the CPU didn’t seem to be all knowing either, and the game ended at the 1st with a tie, and an advert to buy the full game.
Using the virtual buttons, the game was a little easier. It still seemed impossible to score a goal, and the CPU still didn’t manage to score against me. There was no fights (I assume they only appear in the full version) and no shootouts. I also could not find any way of speeding up the movement of my player – and in one instance where I thought a fight might occur, a strange scribbling affect covered the player, with the player being frozen (but glowing bright) red for the next 10 or so seconds.
(Top – Control Choice) (Bottom – Motion Gameplay)
Graphics
I liked the graphics. They were bright, cartoon style, 2d Graphics. It is a shame that they chose to make all the players look the same (excluding the goalie), however it does give the game a fun arcade feel. The on screen controls look good, with the virtual control stick actually being 3D showing your tilt of it. I had what I would call one graphics glitch, was the strange red player.
(Strange graphics glitch)
Lasting Appeal
The full version of this game features a few mini games which I would like to try, and I most likey will consider buying the game. I did feel the need to attempt several times to score and it was annoying only having the one period limit (something again removed in the full version).
I cannot see this being your favourite application, or one you use everyday – but its definitely a bit of fun to play if you have a few minutes to kill perhaps while waiting for a train, to get picked up or perhaps if you’ve arrived at hockey practice a little early.
(Advert in game for full version)
Overall
The graphics are clean, bright and fun. The game creators actually went out and made videos to show you how to use the controls, and the vision of a fun quick fire arcade hockey game has certainly been met. 
However, the controls I feel mar the overall good experience of this game, with the motion controls feeling complexed, and the virtual on screen ones lacking responsiveness. Hopefully, future updates to the game will address the issues and then we will have the perfect hockey game for the iPhone.
Rating: 6/10: “Decent”
Try This App (Opens in iTunes)
