You guys go ahead. We'll get the next bridge, really.

We never thought an iPhone game could be epic before enlisting with Brothers in Arms. This 3D action title is exciting and fast-paced, even without qualifying, "…for the iPhone," like the insult comic dog. It still stumbles sometimes, but this shooter balances the need for simplicity with tense firefights previously only seen on "real" game systems.

The 3D graphics and controls lead to victory. While often simple and blocky, the visuals clearly show what's happening as you progress through the three campaigns with four or five missions each. You'll easily spot enemy Panzers, armored trucks, and infantry by their look, but the game also nudges you with floating crosshairs over foes. In the default--and best--control scheme, a finger or thumb on the left side of the screen acts as a virtual joystick to control forward, backward, and sideways movement. You swipe anywhere onscreen with the right hand to change your view and tap an icon to fire.

Additionally, the game helps by automatically ducking your character behind cover, or putting his back against a wall to lean around corners. You can't jump, but he climbs over low obstacles. Aiming is similarly augmented, bringing the crosshairs to a target if you get fairly close. Without this help, the controls would frustrate. With the assistance, the game still feels challenging but fair. We only felt out-of-control in the brief scenes driving an armored personnel carrier, which weakly uses an on-screen steering wheel. (Tank driving worked much better, mimicking the running controls.)

Brother in Arms builds scale to a surprisingly large result. You'll pick up a sniper rifle or rocket launcher, toss grenades, and man stationary guns. Clearly defined level objectives lead you to blow up bridges, while planes crash and buildings collapse nearby. It all adds up to a big experience on a phone-sized screen.

Brothers in Arms surprisingly crams WWII action into the iPhone. It's a tight fit that still feels grand.

Brothers in Arms: Hour of Heroes 1.0.3
COMPANY: Gameloft
CONTACT: www.gameloft.com
PRICE: $9.99
REQUIREMENTS: iPhone or iPod touch with 2.1 software update.
Controls succeed in navigating 3D player on small device. Big-feeling variety in combat. 3D graphics look great, if sometimes simple. Sound effects work well, especially hearing-loss squeak when you're close to death.
Controls are sometimes difficult when driving or climbing through buildings. Shooting matches occasionally turn into Naked Gun-style alternating misses. No left-hand inversion. Occasional frame-rate slow-downs.