Review: Real Racing 2 - Rev Your Engines All Over Again
by Staff Writer
December 16, 2010
Overview
The class of the first set of iOS racing games now has a sequel in Real Racing 2. The realistic racing sim by Firemint looks to build upon many aspects of the original including giving you 30 officially licensed cars. Also instead of having six car races there are now 16 car races which have never before seen on a truly massive scale for iOS.
Features
The game includes a deluxe career mode with five main leagues, with each containing multiple events. There are championship tournaments, cup races, head to head matches, time trials, and more. Online multiplayer is included allowing for up to 16 player matches plus you can do eight player local matches and Game Center is included for online high scores and achievements.
The Good
Firemint could have just mailed it in, and simply changed the career mode, and made a sequel. Thankfully they didn't, and instead have created a brand new game in almost every regard that does laps around the original. It's an amazing technical achievement, and the most advanced iOS game to date.
The game looks amazing, but a game's greatness lies in its gameplay which is simply superb. The career mode has been redesigned to make it much more engaging, and fast paced from event to event. The original has some dull stretches, and in this game there is truly never a dull moment.
Every single race is a challenge simply with the course, and then there are all of the opponents to deal with as well. In every race you start from the back, and fight your way through all 15 opponents in such an enjoyable racing experience. It is unmatched on iOS, and it feels great making it to the front of the pack on each and every race.
There is a ton of variability in the career as there are so many types of events that are arranged so well. You move from head to head, to a full on race, and then on to a time trail, to advance to a tournament with no slow down along the way. Every race earns you recognition and money used to unlock new events, leagues, and cars.
There is an absolute great balance from race to race so that to compete you'll need to upgrade your car, and work your way up to buying new cars. The cars make such a monumental difference, and you can feel the difference from car to car all the way up the ladder. Helping you feel the difference are the controls which offer exceptional handling.
It's as close to feeling like your actually driving the car as possible with the tilt controls. The game has a lot of customization as well with five different control methods and control options including break and steering assist for more novice players. You can also customize the camera angle with five different angles from third person to in car, or first person, and the view is amazing from each position.
A 16 car race is simply jaw dropping on the mobile platform, and it absolutely shines on the retina display coupled with a wonderful frame rate. It's amazing seeing the natural flow of the cars, and then seeing them all bunched together while bumping and nudging seamlessly. Every single race course environment is gorgeous coupled with amazing lighting effects, and the course is impacted by the cars, and the rear bumper of the cars are destructible.
The game is just so immersive unlike anything else where you feel like you’re in the car in the race. The amazing visuals, dream like controls, and authentic sounds offer an unrivaled mobile experience.
The Bad
One small bug is that the audio stops when you get a push notification, and only starts up if you restart the app killing the process in the task bar. Another problem is the multiplayer which seems so good on paper, but not so when put to the test. It connects fast, and allows for huge multiplayer race, but that's not all there is to a multiplayer race.
The game doesn't connect players based on skill level or car type so you’re pitted against players with cars much more advanced or inferior to yours, and even you’re best driving can't beat a great car. Also during the race many players drop out, and you view other cars erratically because they're dropping in and out of connection. Sometimes you can't even see another car that should be right next to you, and then it flys in out of nowhere and disappears just as quickly.
The multiplayer has quite a bit to be worked out on the online level. It may help to include the multiplayer component of Game Center as the game is currently relying on Firemint's own servers.
One small note, the first race can be a little discouraging since you have such an inferior car. Finish the race in whatever position you can, and the second time you race even finishing in the same time will have you win or come very close to the top for whatever reason. From then on you'll always be racing for first, but that initial race is oddly nearly impossible to do well, but it's the only race like that.
The Verdict
Real Racing is simply the most technologically advanced game for iOS. It offers the best racing experience around with such deluxe career, challenging races, and the difficulty balance. Real Racing 2 could go toe to toe with any game on any other mobile platform, and is an amazing accomplishment on the iPhone/iPod Touch.
Real Racing 2 is a must buy for $9.99 that is one of the best games available on any mobile platform, and especially in the App Store. $10 may seem like a lot in the App Store market, but it could easily run for triple on the other mobile platforms, and is the closest there is to a console title.
