Gameloft 9mm Android Review

Sound: 8/10 — The attention to detail in this game is some of the best I’ve seen in a mobile game. Whether you’re walking past a burning bin or hearing the sound of your enemy’s head being blown off Gameloft have really outdone themselves here.
The music in-game (although not something I’d personally listen to) really does help to add to the atmosphere of the game. Intense gun battles are backed up by fast paced tunes and when the panic is over the music fades out and goes to some of the more relaxing rap/hip-hop sounds.

Graphics: 10/10 — The graphics in this game are….*cough*….the graphics are really….*cough*….sorry; the graphics in 9mm are the best I have seen on a mobile game. Huge 3D environments look as good as anything you’d have seen on a high-end console 3/4 years ago. The lighting effects cast shadows well and the sun will blind your vision if you happen to peer into it.
The main characters are all animated well with good detail to their bodies. John Kannon and his crew all look the part and so do the main bad guys. Some of the less important characters however can look a bit more basic but that’s to be expected really. I was quite surprised Kannon’s wife was not better drawn but perhaps she’s just ugly.

Controls: 7/10 — The controls do take quite a bit of getting used to. Moving with your left thumb and looking around with your right is natural but you have to keep swiping around with your right thumb to get your character to look where you want him to. For a beginner this may be difficult but after some trial and error you can find a system that works for you. The thing that helps you along the way is the slow-mo mode. Once in this mode you have time to aim at your targets with pinpoint accuracy and this really helps get you out of some sticky situations.
The weapon select/reload in the top-right although handy is also a bit annoying. When scrolling through your arsenal you cannot keep scrolling one way to get back to the start; this can leave you in a sticky situation every now and then but you’ll soon learn the hard way.

Gameplay 8/10:
The game plays very well. The story is fluid and navigating your way round the levels is easy. Having a Max Payne-esque slow-mo mode adds another dimension to your battles. Whether you’re diving sideways to shoot some guys through a doorway in the room next door or throwing yourself back to avoid an explosion these Matrix-style jumps are really something.
Another nice addition to the game is QTEs — Quick Time Events as seen in other games (namely Shenmue if you’re old enough). Think of them as interactive cut scenes — although you’re not directly moving your character you determine the outcome of the scene by performing actions that are prompted on-screen. You may have to jump over an on-coming car or duck under an oncoming punch but these keep you on your toes and keep you involved in the game.
9mm even has online multiplayer for you and your friends (or drug-dealing enemies) to compete on. There are currently two different game modes — Free For All and Cops & Robbers. I found the multiplayer quite frustrating at first — namely because I’m crap — but you seem to be able to be killed in just a bullet or two which when you’re used to flying through the air with your leg practically blown off in the single player mode is a bit harsh.
One tip I can give you is to use your left thumb in the top left of the screen to aim your weapon and then your right thumb to shoot. Using your right thumb to do both just doesn’t give you enough time and I can bet your foes have already worked that one out.

OVERALL 86%
The story as previously mentioned is really good. Although a bit over the top it’s interesting and keeps you wanting to come back for some more Kannon action.
With ideas taken from Max Payne, Grand Theft Auto and Duke Nukem (namely Kannon’s voice acting) this puts 9mm in another league.

Watch more new videos about Android | Synthesized by Mindovermetal English