Review: Low Grav Racer 2
by Staff Writer
December 14, 2009
Overview
Low Grav Racer 2 is a sequel by Cobra Mobile which brings more fast paced futuristic arcade racing. On the surface it is definitely reminiscent of F-Zero, but with smaller crafts. You travel across expansive tracks with careening curves at super speeds. You can race or just play solo in time trial mode with all of your scores posted to Plus+ leaderboards. Achievements are included as well, and there are kart racing type pick-ups in the game.
Features
18 courses are included each with their own unique futuristic space theme. Race across all types of planets from ones with asteroids all around to the fire or ice planets. Two gameplay modes are included to play race mode, or do time trials for any of the tracks. There are three class ship types similar to 50cc, 100cc, and 150cc that increase the difficulty, and length of the course. Multiple pick ups are available as you speed down the track. You can pick up speed boosts, time warps, shields, and weapons: mines, missiles, tri-missiles, and beam blasts. There are two camera angles: 3rd person or in cockpit. Plus+ is included for your online connecting pleasure. Online high scores are included for each race time as well as the time trial lap time. There are achievements for finishing first on all 18 tracks as well as the likes of not hitting the sides in a race, or not picking anything up.
The Good
Low Grav Racer 2 is a great sequel that enhances every aspect of the game from the original. It feels more suited for the iPhone controls, looks better, and just overall is a better iPhone racing experience. It’s an arcade racer so all of the things come that you would expect including super high speeds, pick-ups, and some unrealistic physics when hitting walls. The game is definitely a fun experience to go screaming down swerving, bending, diving, and raising tracks. No other racing game in the App Store has as complex track designs as this game, and that’s definitely a good thing. The tracks are set up so most of the time you can’t see the next turn or how the course will unfold going forward.
Also included are pick-ups like in kart racing giving you the ability to fire weapons, get a shield, or a speed boost. The opponents are nice and difficult to give you a real challenge, and you will need to be in control of your vehicle to win.
The game looks amazing in the futuristic landscapes you race through. Just on the micro scale looking at the individual crafts, the track design, and the jet flow blowing behind each craft. Then seeing the large scale backgrounds with so many moving parts the game truly transports you away because it’s designed so well.
The included 18 tracks across three race car classes gives you plenty to do. Each race car class amps up the difficulty of your opponents giving you a great challenge boost. Each track is unlockable by a top three finish in the previous track, and there are unlockable vehicles too. The race mode, and time trial mode give you two unique challenges as well.
If that wasn’t enough for replayability, Plus+ is included too. With many online high score tables, as well as numerous achievements it gives you even more incentive to keep low grav racing. The controls worked well, but they don't have the super tight precision as on other top tier racing games.
The Bad
Not much to dislike with the game. One thing that is just disorienting is the tilt of the vehicle when you turn. It’s not bad, just weird to see your vehicle turn 90 degrees straight up, and then be able to realize what way you’re turning.
A minor concern is that the game gets quite tough as you reach higher course numbers, and play on the second difficulty. The opponents always hit you when they fire, and it’s tough to ever hit them with any weapons. As I stated in the good the courses are complex, and most of the time you can’t see the next curve so you’ll be riding the walls occasionally.
No type of multiplayer is included leaving it a little lower than the tough competition.
