The iPhone has proved itself to be the perfect vessel for a management game, allowing for portable diving in and out. Game Dev Story isn’t just any iPhone management game, though – it’s quite easily the most addictive we’ve ever played.

Taking charge of a game development team, your job is to create the greatest games company possible while competing with some hilariously familiar brands. It’s seemingly simple gaming, yet there’s so much depth involved that you’ll have lost around a dozen hours to the game before you finally come up for air.

GAMEPLAY

The main bulk of Game Dev Story involves doing the same actions over and over, but receiving better results each time. Initially you’re presented with a small office, and left to hire several fresh, budding game devs for your company. Your first batch of games will be dire, but this only motivates you to do better, and as you accumulate fans and more skilled workers, the money will start rolling in.

Everything is controlled via a simple menu system, from where you can train your staff, advertise your company, check your latest company stats or start a new game project. It only takes a few minutes to settle into your new job, and the simplicity of it helps oodles in making the experience stupidly addictive.

Starting a project involves choosing the type of game you want to create, and setting a budget based on how much time you spend developing the game. Your staff will then automatically set to work building your masterpiece, as it goes through the alpha and beta stages of development. You’ll need staff with a variety of skills to make sure everything in your game is up to scratch.

Now and again you’ll also need to take on contract work. This provides your team with quick cash, and boosts your technical points, allowing you to level your staff up and create even more interesting games. Working out which contract work to take on is a game in itself, as each will have a set period of time in which it must be completed. Fail to turn in your work on time, and it will all have been for nothing.

Here’s the thing, though – while it’s all so simple to play, there’s also a underlying depth that must be explored. Special boosts allow you to create even better games, and games expos, magazine articles and awards shows allow you to build up hype for your latest venture. Creating a successful business isn’t difficult at all, but evolving into an incredible force takes a little extra doing. This means that, while it’s casual enough that anyone can have a crack, the more hardcore players will find so much more to be getting on with.

Amazingly, a prior knowledge of gaming over the last 20 years helps considerably. Every event, console, game and company in Game Dev Story is based on real-life – you’ve got Intendro with the Super IES, then Sonny pops up and develops the hugely successful PlayStatus series. Later in the game Microx appears, launching the Microx 480 console. Hilariously, even the game names are familar, with one or two letters changed around here and there.

Hence, when the NeonGeon console appears, it’s safe to stick with the IES instead. It’s such clever stuff, since it gives you the impression that you’re actually a real development company playing through the 90′s and into the millennium. All these points combined mean that Game Dev Story is quite easily the most enjoyable game we’ve played on the iPhone in a long while.

STYLE

Want to know how to pump a serious amount of personality into your game? Simple – just watch how Game Dev Story effortlessly and constantly makes you smile. Your staff will chatter away via speech bubbles, perhaps telling another staff member ‘Good job!’ or saying ‘Morning!’ as they come in well rested. They’ll also occasionally approach your desk to offer ideas on how to make your latest game even better.

Whenever a staff member gets on a roll, they will literally be on fire - it’s such an awesome visual effect that gives a real sense of urgency and power in your game developing skills. It’s as if there is a real office on your iPhone screen that is bustling away, and the effect is very powerful indeed.

The simplicity of the interface and controls means that graphically it feels so tidy. The various options never appear cluttered or thrown together – every has a purpose, and is laid out in the most perfect way imaginable, with gorgeous pixel-art style environments and characters.

STORY

Starting in the early 90′s, you play the director of a new game development company that is hopefully set for the big time. After giving the team a name and hiring your staff, your job is to create the best games possible and be the largest developer around within 20 years.

In a way, Game Dev Story gives the impression that you are creating your own story. You’re never specifically told what to do next – you can develop any type of game for any available console, and even ship your own branded console later into the game.

On my first playthrough I stuck to fantasy RPGs, and hence found that most of my fans were young males. Yet my next company went more for shooters, and this time around I picked up a much broader audience. There’s just so much to see and do, and creating your own journey is what spurs your enjoyment on.

OTHER

You shouldn’t even think twice about grabbing yourself a copy of Game Dev Story – it’s easily the best iPhone game released this year, and will keep you entertained for hours on end.

I’d say more, but in all honesty I need to get back and create some more games. Fifteen hours in, and I’m still well and truly addicted. Head over to the App Store and prepare to lose a good portion of your life to game development.

Game Dev Story on iTunes