iPad App BreakDown: Asphalt 5 HD
Asphalt 5 HD ($6.99) by Gameloft is an arcade racing sim so you can just jam the accelerator and go. This game is more about going as fast as you can while Real Racing is a game where you are concerned with braking around corners. Gameloft has made the game "HD" for the iPad.
The game itself: Asphalt 5 is an outstanding arcade racer that is so reminiscent of the Crusin' series, just made with the idevice in mind. Rather than worrying about driving, you worry about racing as you try to finish first at very high speeds. The game features eight different game modes that are randomized for each of the 12 locations.
There is normal race, cop chase, last man standing, and time trial to name a few. You get to race in Las Vegas, Hawaii, and Rio de Janeiro among other places with all of them having great design. 30 different unlockable cars are included from the Mini Cooper to the Audi R8, and up to the Bugatti.
This is one game that truly deserves the HD moniker as it looks simply amazing on the 9.7" screen. From the deluxe environments to the shine of the exotic cars racing down the road this is mesmerizing. On top of that it's right in your face giving you a completely immersive experience that may be more than watching it on an HDTV across the room.
The game has customizable controls giving you tons of options. Tilt seemed to work fine on the bigger device, and that method further connects you to the car and action. You can choose many on screen controls, and you can position them wherever you want on the screen. The game allows you to play local multiplayer against other iPads as well as iPhone and iPod Touches, plus there is online play.
The game chooses fun over all else by throwing out realistic physics, and instead just giving you a method to worry about the cars in front of you only. As you're racing there is other traffic on the road, and it wouldn't be arcade without the nitro pickups throughout the course.
Asphalt 5 HD is one of the best racing experiences on any device ever. If you're an arcade racer fan this is an absolute must, but if you ever play any racing games be sure to consider Asphalt 5 at the top of your list. It immerses you in the high speed hectic action only possible in an arcade racer with beautiful design so close to your face.
If you own the iPhone version: If you own the iPhone version already you will want to keep it on your iPhone. It looks blurry on the ipad to say the least. It just looks awful running at 2x with all detail and polish lost giving you a scrambled mess. After playing the iPad version it looks that much worse, and you can truly see all the time and effort put into making the game run at iPad native resolution.
With that said the game offers nothing new for the iPad. All the features are exactly the same with the only difference the visuals. If you've beaten the game already there's no incentive to pick up Asphalt 5 HD. If you want to play the arcade racer on your iPad then for $6.99 it's the best deal of the three best racing iPhone games upscaled for the iPad.
If you only own an iPad: If you only own an iPad Asphalt 5 HD is a must buy for $6.99 compared to $10 for Real Racing, and $15 for Need for Speed Shift. Asphalt is a whole different racing experience than those making racing for the more casual gaming fan, and those who want more action overall. You can't find such a good looking immersive racing experience on any other device for only $7.
If you never bought the iPhone version: If you never bought the iPhone version you are somewhat in luck. The same game that was $7 is now $5 just because time has passed. It's still one of the best racers on the iPhone, and there's a lite version to try plus you can read our full review.
