Modern Combat 3: Fallen Nation

CNET Editors' review

by: Jason Parker on December 20, 2011

Modern Combat: Fallen Nation is a first-person shooter with jaw-dropping graphics. The third installment in Gameloft's Modern Combat series for iOS, this game challenges you to fight through 13 missions from Pakistan to Los Angeles, and you will find and use several different kinds of weapons as you complete mission objectives. The game is a universal download, so you can play on any of your iOS devices, but we think it is at its best on the iPad.

You get three different types of control schemes to pick from, with variations of onscreen joysticks and touch-screen actions. I found the default control method to work best for me, using a movement joystick on the left and the touch screen to aim and fire with my right thumb. Some added controls appear in certain situations where you need to pick up an item or jump down from a wall, for example. You can reload your weapon with a single tap on the gun in the upper right or you can double tap to switch weapons as you discover them in the game.

Though the iPhone touch screen will never be as easy to use as a keyboard and mouse or console controller, Modern Combat: Fallen Nation manages to make the controls fairly easy to use. Auto aim (found in the options) helps a lot to offset the less-than-optimal controls in the beginning, but after spending some time with the game you'll be able turn it off for a more realistic experience.

Along with the great gameplay, Modern Combat: Fallen Nation has amazing graphics, great audio with satisfyingly explosive-sounding guns, and good voice acting in-game and during cut scenes.

When you think you've honed your skills enough, you can take your game online and play in battles of up to 12 players, across six maps, and in several game modes (FPS staples like Conquest and Capture the Flag are my current favorites).

If you liked either of the earlier installments of Modern Combat, Fallen Nation is an excellent choice with more-exciting gameplay, challenging missions, and probably the best graphics yet. If you like first-person shooters, this game is a must-have on your iOS device.