Rating: N.O.V.A. and Texas Hold’em Poker 2 available for free
N.O.V. A. screenshot
Although they were all officially due to appear by November 30th [2011], the last two of the twelve apps provided for free as Thank You Gifts have finally appeared. They are both games from Gameloft – N.O.V.A. and Texas Hold’em Poker 2. Although it says N.O.V.A is free of charge for a limited time (and worth $4.99 ), while Texas Hold’em Poker 2 is also time restricted (and worth $2.99), RIM appears to have made a subtle change to its FAQ (here) concerning these apps. It now says, “they are yours to keep afterwards as well.” Another interesting addition (as far as we are concerned) is the revelation that, ” For users with a BIS Lite or BBM-only plan, these free apps will be downloadable over Wi-Fi from BlackBerry App World beginning in November 2011.”
Which could explain why some BlackBerry owners couldn’t see them! Also some BES administrators might block the download of some of these apps to their corporate users.
Additionally as we’ve outlined before in our previous stories (see here), you have to be able to download the App World App to get to these freebies.
One BlackBerry owner who has already bothered to download N.O.V.A. comments,”Finally a game to enjoy.”
Here’s the plot of the game … “With Earth no longer able to sustain life, huge artificial satellites called ‘near-orbitals’ were constructed for people to live on.
To protect themselves, the near-orbitals banded together to form N.O.V.A., the Near Orbit Vanguard Alliance.
Against his will, retired marine hero, Kal Wardin, is forcefully returned to active duty to prevent mankind’s annihilation.”
Significantly, Gameloft warns BlackBerry owners that both games are “High Performance Apps. Ensure app is closed when not in use to ensure longer battery life.
To close app, press Menu key (to the left of the trackball/trackpad), then select ‘Exit’ from the game menu.
So if your battery life has suddenly plunged then you’ve been playing the game for too long. But it does illustrate what good graphics these Gameloft games offer!
