I have always been a fan of racing games, such as EA Games' Need for Speed and Papyrus Design Group's Indianapolis 500. I really enjoyed playing these, either on a desktop PC, laptop or PlayStation. When tablet PCs came into the fray, I never imagined I would experience the same gratification as on the traditional platforms.
This perception has changed, however, after indulging in the Real Racing 2HD iPad game, developed by Firemint. The game includes 30 different and well-known car brands, ranging from the low-end VW GTI, which most local players will be familiar with, to Volvos and Lotuses, and everything in-between.
The game features different international tracks. However, for this review, I focused on the coastal Castellona Bay track.
Take the (iPad) wheel
Unlike using joysticks or the keyboard as controls, the iPad itself becomes the steering wheel in this game. However, though it is quite enjoyable to use, the longer the game is played, the more the player's arms start to feel the fatigue.
One more problem is that players will need a lot of space to fully enjoy the game. For example, playing on the bus will risk drawing the wrath of fellow passengers.
As the name suggests, the game is in high-definition, which makes for immersive gameplay and a real-life 3D experience. This is enhanced by the fact that players can see the interior of the vehicle, including car controls.
Multiplayer mode
Players can pit their skills against others players of Real Racing 2HD in frenetic 16-player online multiplayer, a first for iOS.
They'll be able to enjoy local or online multiplayer games over WiFi, and after playing enough in career mode, will have access to additional tracks and cars, making the game fun to pick up at any time.
The game supports multiple languages, including English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Russian, Dutch and Brazilian Portuguese.
Pandemonium
Now to the Castellona Bay track. The race starts with 16 cars, but, unfortunately, the player starts right at the back. Once the game starts, it's like a herd of cattle that have just been released from a kraal - all hell breaks loose, with each player trying to out-muscle the others using any means necessary.
During this initial stage of the game, players must push their way forward to gain a better position. Fortunately, Real Racing 2HD does not have cops to spoil the fun, as in other games like Need for Speed, nor does it regard the K-53 instructions, as in real-life driving.
All the player needs to do is keep going forward, not lose momentum, and not bump others in the back (no penalties for this) until they get clear of the mayhem. For this stage, there should be no dilly-dallying at all, for car-to-car contact is the norm.
Failing to clear this stage means the player will struggle to get to pole position because those cars that managed to get ahead will be difficult to catch up with.
And, as players will be struggling to pass the cars at the tail-end, the cars at the front will be galloping ahead, widening the gap in the process. I would suggest players get out of the first corner at least in position five if they are to harbour any chances of finishing on the podium.
Mistakes during this stage can be catastrophic. Remember, all the cars are still jammed up in one place, so a bad turn can cost the player six or seven places in the race.
Stick with it
Real Racing 2HD improves as play continues. After the first handful of races, the player will have enough money to buy a good second-tier car, and start racing with a wider variety of cool models like BMWs rather than VWs. Also, the tracks just keep unlocking, with increasingly global, interesting designs.
However, for one to really master this game, one needs a great deal of patience. Players may get a little frustrated during their first few races due to a propensity to over-correct on turns that cause race-losing spinouts.
This cannot be blamed on the controls though. Players just need to be a bit smoother about applying the brakes and everything else will come together.
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