AiRace Speed (3Ds) Review
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AiRace Speed is one of those seemingly short and sweet games that just keeps you coming back for high scores, a ton of achievements, and the thrill of flying through a jungle of obstacles at gratuitously high speeds. It is both easy to pick up and difficult to master, so a little frustration and a whole lot of crashes are definitely in your future.
“I feel the need…the need for speed.”
If fast paced and frantic is right up your alley, then have I got the game for you. AiRace Speed offers all the speed you could ask for, blended with a truly challenging mechanic that will likely tempt you to throw your 3Ds on multiple occasions.
The basic premise in AiRace Speed is deceptively simple. You must pilot a variety of planes from one end of the course to the other as quickly as possible, and with as few crashes as possible. Of course, that is not as easy as it sounds. Your plane is constantly moving forward, and your lightning fast reflexes are all that prevent the fiery crashes that await around every corner. The shoulder buttons tilt the plane to the left or the right, directional buttons steer, and A and B offer boost and brake. That’s really all there is to it, but while the controls are very simple to pick up, the game itself is quite challenging to master.
The levels are a combination of tunnels and open rooms, each with obstacles ranging from moving vehicles and plane sucking fans to complex shapes that must be skillfully maneuvered to pass through. On top of that, the fast pace and winding tracks mean a dead end or unexpected obstacle could be around any corner. You will need both quick reflexes and a lot of patience to make your way through these levels, but some do offer you a choice in how you finish them, by way of alternate routes that are generally both shorter and more challenging. These can be a great option if you are trying for the gold, but any resulting crashes will result in a time penalty, so it’s an option you have to weigh carefully.
The level scores work on a star system, where gold and silver rankings are generally awarded based on a minimum high score that must be reached. The brass star is rewarded for simply finishing the level, and must be achieved in order to unlock the next level for play. There are a few exceptions in the form of a few unending levels. In these, you must achieve a minimum distance before crashing for each of the three star levels. You will not be able to advance to the next level of play without achieving at least a brass star (higher, in some later levels), so there is a definite possibility of getting stuck for a while. However, the game is so fast paced and quick loading that you will find yourself just replaying the level multiple times without even a thought.
The visuals in AiRace Speed are top notch. Everything has a cool sci-fi vibe to it, the tunnels are very industrial with menacing obstacles, and the planes are sleek and interesting. The last one can actually be a bit of a disappointment at times, though, because while you do unlock new planes as you play, you are unable to select or upgrade the planes you fly. You are given a plane to fly based on the level you are playing, and it’s a little disappointing not to be able to play around with it a little more. To give credit where it is due, the 3D aspect is really well done (and that’s coming from someone who generally prefers 2D). The planes dipping and weaving through oncoming obstacles are perfectly done, and I found my reaction time was actually better on 3D mode. Unfortunately, if you (like me), are near incapable of holding the device steady while you fly, you will find that the 3D only really works if you hold it in the sweet spot. That’s a device issue more than a game issue, but it’s something to keep in mind.
AiRace Speed is one of those seemingly short and sweet games that just keeps you coming back for high scores, a ton of achievements, and the thrill of flying through a jungle of obstacles at gratuitously high speeds. It is both easy to pick up and difficult to master, so a little frustration and a whole lot of crashes are definitely in your future.