<p>Ever since <a class="zem_slink" title="Lando Calrissian" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lando_Calrissian" target="_blank" rel="wikipedia noopener noreferrer">Lando Calrissian</a>&#8216;s triumphant escape from the <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct">imminently</span> exploding <a class="zem_slink" title="Death Star" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_Star" target="_blank" rel="wikipedia noopener noreferrer">Death Star</a>, game developers have been trying to recreate that adrenaline fueled thrill of piloting a speeding ship through narrow tunnels. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct">QubicGames</span> has taken another stab at this particular brand of racing with the next iteration of their highly successful <i>AiRace</i> series with <i>AiRace Speed</i> for the Nintendo 3DS.</p>
<p><i><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct">AiRace</span> Speed</i> is more of a return to the smaller title, <i>AiRace Tunnel</i>, than the arguably more popular <i><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct">AiRace</span></i>, opting for spaceships and claustrophobic tunnels instead of planes and open skies. Thankfully <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct">forgoing</span> any tacked on narrative, the game gets right to the point via its simple menu screen. The 18 different <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct">obstacle</span>-laden &#8220;tracks&#8221; are unlocked, one at a time, as players earn stars based on their race performance. While the majority of these are straightforward races against the clock, a couple of the tracks are endless, challenging players to travel as far as they can before using up all of their lives. In addition to a continuous <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct">nitro</span> boost ability, ships also have a rechargeable shield. Although these shields allow ships to safely scrape against walls for a moment, head on collisions will still send players back to the most recent checkpoint, with a time penalty to boot.</p>
<figure id="attachment_53459" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-53459" style="width: 800px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://cdn.bagogames.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/05160134/AiRace_Speed_1.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-53459" src="https://cdn.bagogames.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/05160134/AiRace_Speed_1.jpg" alt="AiRace_Speed_1" width="800" height="480" /></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-53459" class="wp-caption-text">Stay on target!</figcaption></figure>
<p>If the default thumbstick and D-pad controls aren&#8217;t to a player&#8217;s liking, the game includes a stylus control option. Unfortunately, due to the button layout, this control scheme feels completely <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct">unpractical</span> and cumbersome when braking, banking, and boosting. Personally, I would have liked to have seen a gyroscopic control option instead.</p>
<p>As two years have gone by since the last game in the series, <i>AiRace Speed</i> is expectedly far prettier than its predecessors. The game&#8217;s excellent use of 3D to gauge depth and realistically create a feeling of intense speed makes it one of the few games I insist on playing with the 3D slider turned up. Although they all pretty much handle identically, the five different available ships <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct">are also pleasantly varied</span> in appearance, which is unfortunately more than I can say for the tracks. The exact same obstacles found in the first few tracks repetitively populate every track in the game. This monotony is occasionally broken up by a few sections of track that open wide, showing off various futuristic landscapes. However, these moments are all too few and far between.</p>
<figure id="attachment_53460" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-53460" style="width: 800px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://cdn.bagogames.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/05160122/AiRace_Speed_6.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-53460" src="https://cdn.bagogames.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/05160122/AiRace_Speed_6.jpg" alt="AiRace_Speed_6" width="800" height="480" /></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-53460" class="wp-caption-text">In the future, all transportation routes will littered with huge, mechanical, yellow slices of pizza</figcaption></figure>
<p>Each race can be completed in just a few minutes, making <i>AiRace Speed</i> perfectly suited for the mobile platform. However, those players prone to occasional moments of gamer rage take heed, if playing during a commute on public transportation; this game is far from easy. Unlocking 3/4 of the tracks in an hour or so is simple enough, but attaining the silver and gold stars needed to unlock those last few tracks can inspire more than a few regrettable, profanity-laden outbursts.</p>
<figure id="attachment_53560" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-53560" style="width: 800px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://cdn.bagogames.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/05155535/AiRace_Speed_21.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-53560" src="https://cdn.bagogames.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/05155535/AiRace_Speed_21.jpg" alt="AiRace_Speed_2" width="800" height="480" /></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-53560" class="wp-caption-text">Mind the overpass.</figcaption></figure>
<p>Although <i>AiRace Speed</i> includes achievements and online <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct">leaderboards</span>, its lack of power-ups, an upgrade system, or <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct">any</span> sort of multiplayer (even against AI racers), severely hinders it&#8217;s length of <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct">appeal</span>. Those players that aren&#8217;t interested in climbing online <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct">leaderboards</span> or shaving seconds off of their best times may sadly become bored rather quickly.</p>
<p><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct">AiRace</span> Speed is available now in the Nintendo <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct">eShop</span> for $4.99. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct">Have</span> the game? Share your thoughts in the comment section below and be sure to contribute your own rating at the top!</p>
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BagoGames > Articles > Game Reviews > Nintendo 3DS Reviews > Leashed Potential | AiRace Speed Review
Leashed Potential | AiRace Speed Review
-
By Corey Atwood
- Categories: Game Reviews, Nintendo 3DS Reviews
- Tags: Nintendo
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