Multiplay Reviews: ONE For N-Gage

December 9, 2008 by Chapree

We recently posted about ONE, a fighting game for Nokia’s gaming services platform, N-Gage. Developed by Digital Legends Entertainment and published by Nokia Games Publishing, the new ONE was actually a sequel to a game with the same name that appeared on the original N-Gage device.

The original ONE was touted as one of the best fighting game ever to appeared on mobile phones. Is the new sequel able to receive the same recognition? We shall find out, after the jump.

ONE Official Website
ONE Game Page @ N-Gage Official Website

LYN N-Gage 2.0 Community @ Lowyat.NET Forums

The Game

In ONE, you became a fighter on a mission to be the best of the best. The game plot sounded much like Highlander ( ), where you will travel through seven locations worldwide to meet bunch of fighters that have similar goal in their mind.

My favorite attack - launch kick, perfect to get back to your opponent after received a beating.

Outside of the story mode, there are Versus, Survival and Training. In terms of multiplayer, only offers Bluetooth connectivity method for direct peer to peer combat. As for online, players can only compare their scores through N-Gage Arena.

The Opinion

Call me crazy, but I found that seven cities and around 30 opponents were a little bit short for my liking. The whole story can be finished in 1 - 2 days depending on difficulty setting and your dedication level. After the final opponent was defeated and the game credits rolled down, I was left wishing for more. Let alone the fact my thumb already blistered from intense combat sessions.

Missed. Damnnnnn.

In terms of the technical aspect of the game, the computer fighters themselves quite good in knocking players off. To defeat them requires some strategic thinking and straight brawling is almost a definite way to lose. Available combat moves consisted of basic moves plus number of short button combo, making them less tedious to remember and execute. After all, it is a game for mobile phones, so the simplistic approach was really welcomed.

One power punch is all it takes to make your opponent eat some dust.

Another part where ONE really excels technically at is the game’s animation. It was really smooth in which made all the martial art’s moves looked really alive. Not to forget that gamers are able to customize their characters from head to toe, with items that were unlocked as your progressed through the game. Save for the low-poly and jagged graphics, looks like the motion capture sessions payed really well for the developers.

The Verdict

ONE is a worthy sequel of the original game back on the original N-Gage device. Its excellent animation and realistic martial moves plus substantial character customizations are definitely put a lot of fighting games to shame.

Jumping roundhouse kick anyone?

Although the storyline might be short for me, but I believe it is long enough to keep you in combat for long time. The only thing ONE misses was a good online multiplayer, where the game surely can benefit a lot from it.

ONE for N-Gage retails for RM 30 for a full license, RM 15 for a 7-day pass and RM 5 for one day pass. Both licensed and free trial version are available at N-Gage official website.

Posted in Mobile, New Releases, Reviews