N.O.V.A. 2 - Near Orbit Vanguard Alliance App Poster Image

N.O.V.A. 2 - Near Orbit Vanguard Alliance

age 16+
(i)

 

Multiplayer boosts violent sequel, but controls hamper it.
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What parents need to know

Ease of play

There are a lot of player controls on screen -- sometimes too many to keep track of without distracting you from the battle you're in the midst of, which can prove deadly. 

Violence

The game is a first person shooter, so the violence is pretty much nonstop. You'll fire or face a variety of weapons, ranging from rifles to grenades to laser pulses. Explosions are commonplace, and when your character is gravely injured, the screen becomes obscured with blood. 

Sex
Not applicable
Language
Not applicable
Consumerism

The app actively promotes in-app purchases, including a $2 map pack via interstitial screens and from the main menu. 

Drinking, drugs, & smoking
Not applicable

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that N.O.V.A. 2 - Near Orbit Vanguard Alliance is a first person shooter that is loaded with violence and death. While the game is set in a sci-fi universe, the violence is very realistic and entirely inappropriate for younger players. Blood is minimal, though (only appearing when your character is nearing death). There's also a heavy push for an in-app purchase for additional multiplayer maps, which teens may desire so they can play with their friends. The Gameloft Live! opt-in feature allows players to connect to strangers, including the ability to text chat online with others.

Is it any good?

QUALITY

While the original N.O.V.A. set the bar for action games on the iPad, several other titles have since bested it. This sequel to that game is good, but doesn't redefine the category. Like the original, the story and many of the game's elements are obvious Halo rip-offs, but that's not overly important as the game is more action focused. It features a robust online multiplayer element, which is what will attract most players. But its biggest flaw is its control structure. There are so many onscreen buttons to be mindful of that it's hard to access what you need in the middle of a fight without looking away from the action. And especially later in the game, that can be fatal. 

App details

Devices:iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android, Kindle Fire
Price:$6.99
Release date:May 11, 2011
Category:Adventure Games
Size:580.00 MB
Publisher:Gameloft
Version:1.1.7
Minimum software requirements:iOS 3.1.3 or later; Android 2.0

This review of N.O.V.A. 2 - Near Orbit Vanguard Alliance was written by

Chris Morris
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Adult Written byBushMan6 December 12, 2011
age 15+

Good FPS Halo like game

I don't know Why they didn't say it had no swearing! I have the app and through the campaign you hear "Get that B***erd!" The more bad guys there are the more you hear it. There is some blood. Multiplayer is good. There is no chat. So no swearing in multiplayer. 15 and up 4 single player.
What other families should know
Too much violence
Too much swearing
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Teen, 13 years old Written byDrayoc December 14, 2011
age 14+

Great game with little blood

This is a first person shooter where you are trying to take out an army base on earth. Since all enemies are wearing suits, there is very little blood. The bodies also disapear right after being killed. Blood does not stain walls or floor, So there is also no gore. The only inapproriate phrase used in this game is, Kill that B***rd. Not much to worry about parents, Overall, great game!
What other families should know
Too much violence
Too much swearing
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Kid, 11 years old August 1, 2013
age 13+

Good but gory and has strong language.

Nova 2 is a great game with blood and gore language. With shotguns machine guns snipers mines frag grenades and plasma guns there is lots of gore like chunks of flesh exploding from headshots and lots of blood. Frequent, and I mean every few seconds, uses of "kill that b*****d" are used a lot. The main character Kal Wardin is trying to save humanity from aliens which is positive.
What other families should know
Great role models
Too much violence
Too much swearing
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