Preview: 'Nova' (iPhone)

Since its stunning debut at Apple's annual iPod conference in September, Nova has become the most anticipated game for the iPhone platform. As well as a tantalising feature set - such as online multiplayer, voice chat, push notifications and in-game music - it signals the arrival of a fully-fledged adventure for the system, with all the bells and whistles you'd see from a console game, all in the palm of your hand.

Of course, it had to be inspired to get people's attention. The similarities with console behemoth Halo were apparent from the start, from the lush, green environments, chunky rifles and angular spacesuits. Our time with the game suggests that it wisely doesn't adopt many of the complex traits from the series, which would be near impossible to replicate on the touch-only interface, and that it won't transform the fortunes of the genre on the system either. But it does look to provide an action-packed and technically impressive shooter, which is certainly something new for the platform.

Although it utilises the same engine and a similar console scheme to Modern Combat: Sandstorm, it feels hugely different. Movement is faster, and turning is far less stiff and a lot more freeform, mainly thanks to a silky-smooth framerate. The interface is slightly changed too, where weapons are cycled by swiping an icon from side-to-side, and unlike Halo, it allows you to hold on to all your weapons permanently. (There are no sticky grenades either, in case you were wondering.) It feels entirely natural to control using an on-screen analogue stick, and several other schemes are also being worked on.

While most environments are lovingly textured, they can be somewhat sparse in particular details, but they make up for it with an impressive range of scale, often populated with multiple cover points such as rocks and crates. And they can handle a dozen enemies on screen at once. It's important to note that there are few sandbox mechanics here, opting for a more run-and-gun approach, though enemies are dropped into difficult positions and around chokepoints that require you to carefully consider your firing position. It feels more like Doom in this regard, with a variety of basic enemies that spit fireballs, charge at you or fire from a distance, backed up by interesting level designs and a supply of satisfying weaponry, such as assault rifles, sniper rifles and the classic rocket launcher.

Subtle touches give it a unique appeal, like the ability to throw projectiles from your hand to freeze enemies for an easy kill, and come especially handy when tackling large, red brutes that can grab hold of you and lift you into the air. Face-to-face, you can attempt to freeze 'them causing them to drop you, or blast them in the face to finish them for good. They appear regularly in the first jungle area, which was the setting of the Apple demo, and saw the player land on a planet and move to a base camp, complete with marines and ammo caches. These crates, which will feature throughout the game, must be opened through a simple hacking puzzle of placing mirrors onto a grid, so that a beam of light will hit a variety of satellites at the same time. They're quick and simple enough to solve and although you can find enough ammunition in the environment, they provide a quick respite from the action.

From the base camp, you tread down a tight jungle-mesh corridor with impressive lighting and shadow effects, before coming across an enemy portal, tasking you with handling an oncoming horde of beasts while destroying crystals to shut it down. The level continues to diversify with a massive downed ship that has caused lava to spill from the earth, creating a basic platforming section, as well as a bridge that requires a degree of strategy in deciding which enemies to pick off before progressing. The stage takes a good 15 minutes to clear - and was particularly tricky in places.

Another environment was a spaceship (the first proper mission of the game), which sees the main character investigate the status of its missing crew. The variety in the jungle environment continued here, with tight linear corridors, open docks with gun turrets to mow down teleporting enemies and a section that had you run past an open air lock before getting sucked outside. A further area was a snow-buried base, which had you snipe guards from lofty towers. And there are hints of bunker and alien planet environments later on, in a story that is sure to involve shifty mining companies and parasitic creatures.

One of the most heavily touted features is the multiplayer component, which allows up to one-versus-one via Bluetooth or four players on Wi-Fi or online. We didn't get to see it, nor did they confirm the presence of voice chat, but it will ship with five maps (ship, jungle and bunker environments are confirmed) that are focused for quick and fast-paced combat. There will be no experience or unlock system - Gameloft wants an even playing field - and it will come with leaderboards accessible from in-game or from the Gameloft Live website.

Multiplayer will figure into the long-term success of the product, especially since the single-player is expected to clock in at a short and sweet three hours. (A range of achievements, from finishing on hard to hacking every ammo pack, will surely lengthen it further.) Gameloft also hinted that additional multiplayer maps will be considered based on the strength of how well the game sells, so there's a chance it'll be expanded down the line. But regardless of its initial length, Nova already looks to be an impressive product in every department, with excellent controls, a fluid engine and involving combat – precisely what you'd expect from a heavy-hitting shooter.

Nova will be released in December for the iPhone.