App of the Week: RipTide GP2 for Android

It's been a while, but in attempt to get the ball rolling again; we are back with a new 'App of the Week' and this week that app is 'RipTide GP2' for Android mobile devices.  First off, let me say that this game is simply amazing.  It is more of the same but with new tracks, a much larger career mode, upgradable 'Hydro Jets'; if you played it's predecessor you will have a general idea about what the sequel will have in store for you.  However, this time around VectorUnit has given us Online Multiplayer.  Let's cover what this game is all about.

The Deal:

As this game is about pure speed and thrilling tricks, there is no story.  The premise is you are a Hydro Jet racer in futuristic Hydro Jet Races.  Think of a Hydro Jet as a futuristic Jet Ski.  As you progress through the race circuits you will encounter not just standard 8 man races, but you will be faced with 'Hot Lap' and 'FreeStyle' races as well.  More on those below.  Regardless what mode or race type you play, I promise you it will become addictive fun that will be hard to put down.

Ready... Set... Go!

Race Types You Will Encounter:

You will of course play through the standard race that includes 8 NPC's all racing each other to the finish line.  The amount of laps and duration of the race will depend on what circuit you are playing.  The end goal is of course to be the first to cross the finish line.

Elimination mode will pit you against 8 NPC's and every few seconds (determined by the circuit you are playing) a player will be eliminated without prejudice.  The goal is to stay ahead of the pack and let everyone else get eliminated.  The only way to ensure victory is to be the race leader and outlast everyone else.

Hot Lap is basically a time-trial race.  Each time trial has set times that you need to complete the lap under in order to win.  Some tracks it's 1:07, some tracks it's 00:59 or a little less.  You will need to upgrade your Hydro Jet and make sure you have a speed demon to ensure victory in these races.

The level's are absolutely stunning!

Finally, you will bump into 'Free Style' races.  These races feature only your racer on a track filled with Ramps to trick off of.  Each 'Free Style' race will have a set score you have to hit to place in the top 3.  Earn points by popping tricks off of large waves of water and ramps.  You will have to unlock higher tier tricks to place high in the more advanced circuits.  More on that below.

Controls:

Controlling your Hydro Jet is as simple as tilting your mobile device in the direction you'd like to navigate.  Popping tricks is handled by swiping your thumbs in a particular order on the screen while your racer is airborne.  Each trick has a unique swipe, with the more advanced tricks requiring a slightly more difficult swipe pattern.  Sounds a little strange, but trust me... It works great.

Skills and Upgrades:

There are several different Hydro Jets that you can unlock with cash earned from your races.  Along with purchasing new Hydro Jets, you can also purchase upgrades to your Hydro Jet's abilities.  These abilities are split into several categories: 

- Acceleration

- Top Speed

- Handling

- Boost

Busting a Move!

Each category does exactly what it's name applies.  As you upgrade, the next upgrade level becomes more expensive requiring you to play more to earn more in-game cash to upgrade your ride.  You can also change the color-scheme (or 'paint job') of your Hydro Jet and your racer's uniform.

It doesn't stop there either.  As you play and race you will earn XP that will help you level up.  As you level up you get extra in-game cash and SP points that you will redeem for things like new tricks and increased agility and increased boost time.  Later in the game you will discover some future tricks are compounding.  So they require a trick from a lower skill level before they can be unlocked.  All in all the leveling system is pretty deep for a mobile racing game.

Music:

The soundtrack is pretty similar to the first RipTide GP.  Mixing techno beats with what sounds like spots of dub-step in spots.  All in all, it's pretty catchy and helps keep the energy moving during gameplay.

Online Mulitplayer

The online multiplayer is what I like to play.  I have ran several online matches against others and I have had a lot of fun.  Basically you pick 'Quick Match' and let the game match you up.  If you have signed in with your Google+ account, you can send invites and play with your friends as well.

Circuit Listing

Final Comments:

All in all, RipTide GP2 is an amazing game.  We are finally at the point where the division between mobile games and console quality games is started to fade.  The effects and overall experience are simply amazing.  In my opinion this game is well worth the $2.99 price tag.  Per their website, the game is also on it's way to the Apple iTunes App Store as well.

To Checkout RipTide GP2 visit the Google Play Store: http://bit.ly/15CFQxm

App Cost: $2.99

Rating: 5/5 Stars

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Video Review: 'Duke Nukem: Manhattan Project'

That's right, I now have the capability to do video reviews for games and software.  A few small bugs are being worked out (occasional crackling sound from Mic).  But otherwise, look for more coming soon!  In the meantime check out my quick review of 'Duke Nukem: Manhattan Project'.  I made this while in my retro kick.  So check it out. Just trying to feed the 'Duke' buzz that was stirring around with release of news about 'Duke Nukem Forever' getting picked up by Gearbox. Enjoy!

Happy Surfing!

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Wii Game Review: Prince of Persia-The Forgotten Sands

I've recently started playing through 'Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands' for the Nintendo Wii. First note, I have had absolutely zero play time with the 360 or PS3 ports of the game. This review is solely for the Wii version.  Nor have I played any of the Prince of Persia games since pretty much the original (years ago).

For starters, I was pretty impressed with this title.  Especially for a Wii game (which has taken some bad hits due to more mature audiences not finding many games to it's liking).  For me, I immediately found the game very immersing and fun.  The game starts off at a pretty fast pace, and throws you into the mix of combat and puzzle solving prettying quickly.



This game is not a movie-tie-in game.  Yes, the Prince resembles Jake Gyllenhall's portrayal of Prince Destin; however, the new version of the Prince also sports a pretty heavy duty gauntlet that kicks me back to the recent cell-shaded PoP game.  The story this time around hooks the Prince up with a genie (which looks like a pixie type creature that accompanies the Prince) that has agreed to give the Prince a kingdom and a princess.  The genie fails to mention that to get his wishes he has to follow through the sand and into a kingdom that time has long forgot.  The genie grants the Prince vision to see the Kingdom as it was, and from there you start to combat some plant like creatures and make your way through the mess and rumble and traps to rescue the Kingdom and the Princess.

Most of the puzzels (so far at least) pretty much involve you guiding the Prince to the exit of each room or area.  I like the ability to press the '-' key on the Wiimote to get a birds eye view on the room when you are trying to get to a particular goal.  It's nice to be able to just zoom out and see where to head next.

The controls are pretty similar to most action titles on the Wii.  Shaking the Wiimote and Nunchuck executes attacks, the Nunchuck is used for controlling the Prince and camera; meanwhile, the Wiimote is used to utilize your 'creation abilities' and enable magical hooks (hand holds for climbing) on power pads.  Other powers include making whirlwinds to shoot you up to the next hand hold (to name a few).  Controls at times can seem a little clunky; but fortunately, nothing that has hindered my gameplay.

The sound and music are great, the sound fits in with the setting having (like in the old Indiana Jones movies).  So far, I have completed the first boss fight (the temple Guardian) and that fight was pretty intense, and to my satisfaction took about 10 minutes and quite a bit of thinking to get past.  I like games that still make me think.

The graphics are pretty sweet.  For a Wii game I was pretty impressed.  I have become spoiled to playing games that 'look good'; but more often than not, those games don't offer the gameplay and satisfaction that other games afford.  This game, offers both. 

Overall, 'Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands' is a great game.  I highly recommend it to anyone who is a fan of adventure games.  If you own a Wii, be sure not to miss this one.

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Video Game Review: 'New Super Mario Bro. Wii'

Today is apparently Mario Day here at TechieSmarts because we have another review for another outstanding Mario game.  'New Super Mario Bros. Wii' is a title not to be missed.  Why?  Easy, it simply takes the best from previous Mario games, put a spin on it and makes them better.  Then hand delivers them to the player in a package that is a blast for one player and equally as fun for up to 4 players.  That's right, 4 players on the same screen simultaneously.  It's crazy to say the least.

I love playing multiplayer games, the experience they give is second to none (most of the time).  And sometimes playing by yourself just gets boring.  But with 'New Super Mario Bros. Wii' the boring doesn't ever really surface.  Remember back in the old days, when two siblings could play a game of 'Super Mario Bros.' but they had to take turns playing.  Not anymore, the developers even threw in concepts from the classic level designs into the newer ones.  Secondary players are allowed to pick between 3 characters (other than Mario).  They can play as either Luigi or one of two different colored Toads.  The dev's included attacks and moves from the newer games as well.  You can go the Ground Pound, Super Jumps, Somersaults, and Twirls just like in 'Super Mario Galaxy'.

We also have an assortment of power ups as well.  We have my favorite, the propeller helmet which lets you twirl across the level.  We have the fire flower, giant mushroom, mini mushroom, and Penguin Suits to name a few.  The game also doesn't skimp out on game modes either.  They offer a co-op mode, a competitive mode, Free For All, and Coin Battle Modes.  Mix this with up to 4 players on screen at the same time.  And good times are sure to follow.  The games level selection is reminiscent of old school 'Super Mario Bros. 3' where you move Mario via a map screen to each level.  Even the Toad Huts with Power-Up games have returned.

Any Mario fan needs to pick this title up.  It's a blast even if you prefer to play through by yourself. 

I give it 10 Stars out of 10 Stars.

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Video Game Review: 'Super Mario Galaxy 2'

I think it goes without saying that Mario is probably one of the most recognizable and defining characters in all of video game history.  And it shouldn't surprise anyone when we see another Mario game roll out on the market.  And out of all of the Mario titles, the only ones that I personally didn't care for were 'Mario's Time Machine' and the Paper Mario titles (I never played 'Super Mario Sunshine' though).  After falling in love with Mario's first 3D romp way back on the Nintendo 64 (the highly original titled 'Super Mario 64'); I knew at that time that Mario in 3D was the way to.

Fast forward to the release of Nintendo's Wii.  The first game I ever owned for the Wii was 'Super Mario Galaxy'.  I immediately fell in love with the franchise all over again.  Nintendo took risks and did things with that wonderful title that no other game had really tried yet.  It was wonderful.

Now fast forward a couple years to May of 2010.  Nintendo has released 'Super Mario Galaxy 2'.  Is it worth the hype? Is it as good as it's precursor?  My answers: Yes and Certainly Yes!  Initally when starting up 'Super Mario Galaxy 2' there isn't that much difference in the menu layouts and the save game system.  The player simply picks a planetoid to represent their save game file.  The off we go.

The opening level was a clever side scrolling type romp through part of the Mushroom Kingdom.  Bowser is back and he is bigger than ever.  No really, he is huge.  He has started trashing the Mushroom Kingdom and had kidnapped the Princess once again.  Meanwhile, stars and star pieces are falling from the sky.  The player is treated to a nice cut scene, and is then rocketed off to space once again for another adventure.

The level design is more of the same from the previous 'Super Mario Galaxy'.  Which is great, the use of a 'multidimensional' camera is wonderful.  You even meet up with old school favorite: Yoshi, pretty early on in the game.  Using Yoshi is as great as it was when he debuted back on 'Super Mario World' for the SNES.  Yoshi can swallow baddies and turn them into much needed star bits.

New power-ups have been gifted to us by the game's developers including the Cloud Flower and Rock Mushroom.  We also see the return of the Bee Mushroom and Boo Mushroom.  Old school baddies return in forms of the Goombas and Flying Goombas, Turtles and Spineys to name a few.  And my personal favorite the 'Cosmic Clones' which look like an evil persona of Mario who will spawn behind him and chase him through certain levels.  Very cool.

The soundtrack is pretty much the same from Mario's previous intergalactic romp.  Once again we are catching star bits, collecting coins and getting the star at the end of each stage to help power a spaceship which will eventually lead us to rescue the Princess.

Thank you Nintendo for giving players another Mario treat!  

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