iPad Games: The Best iPad Games for free: Turf Wars Livin Large

Today is the first of www.iPad.net’s series on the best free games available from the app store. Turf Wars is, as you might guess, a mafia-style game, merging GPS and multiplayer online gaming genres to give you something just a little out of the ordinary. Like any gangster game, the main objective is to hoodlum your way around the city, lie, steal, deal and kill until you’re top dog. This game is a real pretender to the throne occupied by Mafia Wars. So far it has some way to catch up in terms of downloads, but it has a BRILLIANT element that really sets it apart…

Unlike its many rivals, Turf Wars uses the iPad’s GPS. You can then lay claim to actual places and areas in your own city. This helps you to dominate a certain neighbourhood and builds you in the mafia ranks. Of course, if you are the first to take a certain area of your city, so much the better, but be aware of rivals who’ll fight you for your own turf. Suddenly your local Wal-Mart can become part of your own turf! You can increase your influence by buying “Respect Points” but I think the fun is to play the game without this artificial boost. What could be better than ruling the whole city’s underworld without spending a single dollar? The GPS and multiplayer elements also mean that you can compare your standing with other players in your city, state or even nationally. Who will end up Mafia Lord of the whole US?

You start Turf Wars as a young ‘street punk’. From there you choose your path to the position of top dog. Fight other mobsters, grab turf, bribe cops, do illicit ‘runs’ and missions as you claw your way up the mafia foodchain. You can capture your rival’s turf, or make them pay protection money. Defend your own with an array of weapons, or invite others to join your growing gang.

This game is easy to play and very addictive. The feature that sets it apart, the real-place GPS facility, is a fantastic idea and works really well. It gives the game a whole new dimension. You can easily end up fighting your friend over ownership of your local video store!

SCORES:
Playability: 8 / 10
Graphics: 6 / 10
Sound: 6 / 10
Originality: 8 / 10
Fun Factor:    8 / 10
Value: 9 /10