The Drowning

The Drowning
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Publisher: Mobage
Reviewed On: iPhone
Cert: 18
Available On: iPad,iPhone

As far as first-person shooters for touchscreen devices go, The Drowning is one of the best we've ever played. It's set in a post-apocalyptic world, where your goal is mainly to survive the onslaught of zombie-like monsters that appear from the water at a frightening rate. Controls are simple and make the most of the touch interface instead of relying on on-screen sticks. Tap two fingers to shoot, with your target in between them; swipe to look around; tap where you want to walk; and when the need arises, a button to turn you 180 degrees will appear on the screen. It's easy to pick up. Weapons can be crafted and customised, so scavenging is essential. You earn as you go; the more stars you score, the more items you pick up. It could be anything from a broken weapon to an item you need to move on to the next level. The Drowning does lose points in app purchases, which are a bit in your face. However, since the game itself is free, it's only to be expected the hard sell will appear somewhere. thedrowning.com

Ciara O'Brien

Ciara O'Brien

Ciara O'Brien is an Irish Times business and technology journalist