Platform: Windows Phone 8
Developer: Gameloft
Publisher: Gameloft
Release Date: November 13, 2013
Genre: Racing
Nerd Rating: 9.5 out of 10
Reviewed by Dovahkyle
I never thought I’d say this about a phone/tablet game, but I am truly impressed. Maybe I am a little behind on the times as the last game I played on a phone was Angry Birds. Asphalt 8 Airborne is not only graphically impressive, but the online multiplayer aspect makes this game that much more fun and challenging. Having recently played Need for Speed Rivals on the Xbox One for the first time, this game stands up to the competition of the racing genre. Tilt-to-steer, automatic acceleration, and adrenaline mode make A8A a NOS filled thrill ride of competitive action.
Gameplay
Leave gravity in the dust
This isn’t your typical racing game, and by that I mean this isn’t even your typical Asphalt racing game. Unlike the predecessors, A8A is a jump focused racing game with adrenaline mode (boost, NOS, etc…) being the key to winning. With 180 events spread over 8 seasons and 56 licensed cars available, you may want to plug in the old charger, ’cause no one wants to run out of juice in the middle of winning. Ain’t nobody got time fo’ dat. At 890 mega-bites you better have some internal storage available on the phone/tablet, I had to delete a couple lame ‘o games myself to get this one.
At the beginning of the game, the player will start with the Dodge Dart GT, new cars will become available for purchase as the player earns money in events. The cars available include, but are not limited to: Chevrolet Camaro GS, Lamborghini Countach 25th Anniversary, Bugatti Grand 16.4 Sport Vitesse, and the Lotus Exige S Roadster. These cars will be all but required to purchase (with in game currency) to progress into the more difficult races. The game tends to push for in-app purchases (with real money); new cars, new events, etc. can be purchased instead of earned to speed things along.
Beyond the season races, the player can choose the World Series which allows him/her to join a “room” and race against 7 other people online. This can be accomplished via internet (globally) or Wi-Fi (locally). The races are not just limited to typical lap races, there is another I personally fancy, Elimination. If you’ve ever destroyed someone’s dreams on Burnout Revenge, then you’ll be familiar with this game mode. The timer is constantly ticking down, and the racer in last place gets eliminated when the time runs out, continuing until only one player remains. This is definitely my favorite race type, as the races are quick, violent, and merciless. If you thought this was a cart ride down the street with the neighbor kids, you are gravely mistaken. This is a no holds barred, take ’em out, barrel rolling, flat spinning, palm sweating, slap yo’ mama kind of game.
Controls
Drift…Boost
This is a tilt-to-steer racer, and as much as I thought I would hate it, it’s not bad at all. The only down side is I can’t rest my elbows on anything while playing so my arms get tired pretty quick (what do you want from me? I’m a gamer not an athlete). Tapping the right side of the screen activates the boost mode, and if timed correctly, the boost will increase rapidly giving the racer max speed. Tapping the left side of the screen is the brake, which is only used to drift around corners. Once the drifting and boost timing is mastered it’s really just about how good you can see on your little phone at such high speeds. I think someone with a tablet may have a small advantage over those using phones, but that’s like saying someone with a 60″ LED LCD TV has an advantage over the dude with a 26″ tube TV on Halo 4. By the way, that dude with the 26″ tube was me up until about a week ago.
Graphics/Sound
Iron sharpens iron
Experience on Asphalt 8 Airborne is going to differ from phone to phone (tablet to tablet). I am using a Nokia Lumia 521 Windows Phone 8, not top of the line, but definitely good for the $100 price tag. The graphics are impressive for being a phone game, heck they’re impressive for being a 6th gen console game. The sound is more often than not turned off, so as not to annoy everyone sitting around me at home and at school, but when it’s up, it’s intense. The ambient engine noise, the metal on metal clank of knocking another racer off the track, the sound of burning NOS when it kicks in, and the tires screeching around the corners in a hundred mile per hour drift, you can almost smell the burnt rubber. I have nothing negative to say about this game graphically, and the sound is top drawer, really top drawer!
Replayability
OK I’m done…wait no I’m not
I swear every time I get pissed off and put my phone down because I lost a race, I end up picking it back up seconds later to try again. This is a great game to just pick up and kill some time like Tetris and Dr. Mario were. I wouldn’t suggest playing it when your in a vehicle, since it’s a tilt-to-steer racer, this makes the game think the player is turning when the actual vehicle is turning. In that case it definitely makes it more difficult, as if it needs help in that area. The online multiplayer gives this game a high replayability for me, as I personally suggest playing over Wi-Fi so you don’t risk losing a connection in the middle of a race. I actually had this happen to me; I was in first and was coming around the last corner of the track, then “boom,” done.
Overall
The dirty dirt
Let me just say, I won’t be uninstalling this one anytime soon, as I tend to do as soon as I play a phone game. I am always paranoid about running out of space on my phone and most phone games just suck. I will keep this one as long as possible, as I find myself playing it more and more. I have Need for Speed: Rivals for the Xbox One (as I mentioned earlier), which is a killer racing game for sure, but I still find myself at home on the couch playing Asphalt 8 Airborne. I suggest if you have a capable device and a good Wi-Fi connection, to download it and try it out at least. If you like racing games, you will just love this new take on jump focused, violent racing games.
*FS Rating System*
Gameplay: 9
Story: N/A
Controls: 9
Graphics/Sound: 10
Replayability: 10
Overall: 9.5
