CGRundertow SEA WOLF for iPhone Video Game Review

Sea Wolf review. Classic Game Room presents a CGRundertow review of Sea Wolf from Coastal Amusements for the iPhone. This is a kind of remake-sequel-type-thing to the original Sea Wolf, an arcade game that was released in 1976. This new Sea Wolf is a simple action game built from addictive gameplay that proves its arcade DNA. Controlling a crosshair on the center of the screen, you blow stuff up. The catch with Sea Wolf is the game is controlled entirely by motion and touch, and the controls are fantastic. You have a limited number of torpedos, and unless you refill your stock by shooting crates, you fail your mission if you run out of ammunition. So the objectives actually require a more deliberate and careful approach than the game's chaotic appearance might suggest. This Mobile/Tablet video review features video gameplay footage of Sea Wolf for the iPhone and audio commentary from Classic Game Room's Derek.

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Closed Caption:

Much to my dismay, this is not some aquatic
prequel in which we discover that Liam Neeson
actually takes a boat to the plane and that
it, in fact, is attacked by a strange pack
of creatures called sea wolves.
A pack of creatures he disposes of one at
a time.
No. Instead, this is a kind of remake-sequel-type-thing
to an arcade game that was released in 1976.
And though it’s thoroughly Neeson-less,
it’s still pretty badass. The spirit of
the original resurfaces on the iPhone in Sea
Wolf.
From the team at Coastal Amusements, Sea Wolf
is a simple action game built from addictive
gameplay that proves its arcade DNA. Controlling
a crosshair on the center
of the screen, you blow stuff up. Boats, bridges,
airplanes, icebergs—all are suitable targets
for your torpedo-fueled rage.
Release the Sea Wolf.
The catch with Sea Wolf is the game is controlled
entirely by motion and touch. Aim simply by
tilting the device to the left or the right
like a steering wheel. Shoot torpedoes by
tapping the two fire buttons on the bottom
of the screen. Use anti-air turrets with a
swipe of your finger. Express frustration
by throwing the device with your arms.
Crazy and perhaps annoying as it all sounds,
depending on your perspective, the controls
are fantastic. It can get pretty hectic, with
all the touching and tilting—as you can
plainly see—but the controls are very responsive,
and they totally fit the premise. You actually
feel like you’re looking down a periscope
while frantically trying to keep your vessel
afloat.
Of course, while your first instinct will
be to shoot everything in sight, that’s
not the approach to take in Sea Wolf. You
have a limited number of torpedoes, and unless
you refill your stock by shooting crates,
you fail your mission if you run out of ammunition.
So the objectives actually require a more
deliberate and careful approach than the game’s
chaotic appearance might suggest.
Translation? I ran out of torpedoes a lot.
So the gameplay is great, but the biggest
drawback with Sea Wolf is that the game looks
kind of drab. The colors aren’t very bright,
and the environments in which your battles
take place aren’t much to take in visually.
It’s not bad-looking, by any means. Just
a lot less exciting to look at than to play.
Fortunately, though, it is exciting to play.
And for two dollars, it’s definitely a game
arcade fiends and old-school gamers should
check out. If you’re looking for a retro
experience that benefits from modern controls,
put Sea Wolf in your crosshairs.