Game Streaming on iPhone.
Testing the power in our pocket.
(Photo by Neil Soni on Unsplash)
Hello, you guys. I’m nervously excited about today's topic.
So, gaming on an iPhone isn’t foreign to me.
But today, we will look at some of the most graphically intense games and how they perform.
All the games we test will be through Amazon Luna on an iPhone 12.
So let’s see: Testing Requirements, Gameplay, and finally Visuals.
(Amazon Luna, Ubisoft+ Tab on iPhone)
Requirements
As always, when testing anything, we gotta have requirements.
Now, because I’m familiar with this service and quite a few of these games, I felt requirements were even more necessary to give every game a fair shake.
Requirement #1: I can’t test a game I’ve already played
Requirement #2: Games must be AAA and graphically intense
Requirement #3: Games will be played on iPhone only (of course :) )
Requirement #4: The games will be tested for an hour, same as my The state of App Gaming is Horrendous post
So now we’re all done with requirements, and our two games will be Control (Ultimate Edition) & Assassins Creed Valhalla.
(Photos of Games being tested, Saved from the PlayStation Store)
Gameplay
Now, let’s get into our first game, Control (Complete Edition).
First, Control is a third-person, action-adventure, single-player game developed by Remedy Entertainment and published by 505 Games on October 20, 2020, on Luna but initially on August 27th, 2019.
(Control: Complete Edition, Acquiring our Weapon, Screenshot from iPhone by Nia🫧)
This game has been raved about to death and was spoiled for me, hence why I’ve taken so long to play it, but made it perfect for testing.
I love how fast we get right into the game.
The opening cutscene is brief and vague but piques your curiosity enough to hook you into play.
(Screenshot of Federal Bureau of Control Director, Taken on iPhone by Nia🫧)
This game is a blast, and an hour honestly didn’t do this game full justice.
When played on either a controller or touch screen, everything was fluid (for the most part), but the controller is my preferred method.
However, tablet touch screens are bigger and give you more space to view while bringing your controller UI closer to where your hands would naturally sit.
(iPad on Screen Controls UI, for Control)
I wish there were a way to customize the sensitivity of your on-screen thumbsticks.
That’s my only real gripe as far as gameplay.
(Control, iPhone On Screen Controls and Interruption from Siri (lol), Photo taken by Nia🫧)
Now let’s get into Valhalla, and unlike Control, this game was like 50–50 with me.
But I’m getting a little ahead of myself.
First, of course, a little history: Assassin Creed Valhalla is also a third-person, action-adventure, single-player game developed by Ubisoft Montreal and published by Ubisoft on November 10, 2020.
(Escaping Kjotve the Cruel’s Henchmen, Assassins Creed Valhalla, Photo taken by Nia🫧)
Guys, this game sent me through a roller coaster of emotions.
While there was a ton of customization, which is always welcome, it was overwhelming and, in a couple of cases, unnecessary.
It would have been better if they just put up a notification telling you to check your settings, especially given you can change them later on anyway.
Also, I have SO MANY problems with this already mind-numbly dumb story; however, thank god this post isn’t about that.
But for starters, the opening cutscene is just far too long and honestly did not do that good of a job of hooking me.
On a positive note, though, when you finally get to the gameplay, I enjoyed playing on the touch screen the most with Valhalla, especially climbing, bird controls (which, cmon guys, do we have to rehash everything good from prior games, looting, and combat.
(First Map Synchronization in Assassins Creed Valhalla, Screenshot by Nia🫧 on iPhone)
Visuals
Now, visually, I do think Control was slightly inferior.
For those unfamiliar with Game Streaming, I’m playing a game broadcast on a server from an Amazon warehouse.
While convenient things like distance, internet strength & speed, etc., all can affect the visual quality or how long it takes to play.
The only fundamental flaw with streaming currently is latency issues, and I experienced that with both games. However, minor pop in was my most prominent issue in control, but only occasionally.
With Valhalla, while I couldn’t tweak any graphics and whatnot, honestly, the game didn’t need it because it’s so stunning on its own.
There were issues like input lag occasionally, but again, this ties back to latency issues.
Finally, both games are beautiful in terms of environment and art style.
(Eivor’s parents during the opening celebration, Assassins Creed Valhalla, Screenshot taken by Nia🫧)
Wrap-Up
Overall, guys, I’m pleasantly surprised by what our phones can do.
While not perfect by any means, and we have a long way to go, it’s a great start, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for us gamers.
Thank you so much for reading.
Support me ;). And as always, I’ll catch you guys in the next one.
