Dim the lights and find yourself a stable spot to sit. That old wobbly chair is not where you want to be sitting when playing this game. This game takes full use of your device’s tilt sensors, and you will find yourself firmly gripping it with both hands.  You will be leaning into the corners, lifting yourself up as you launch off ramps, then bending your knees and ducking down a little as you come splashing down into the water.

Riptide GP is a fast paced jet ski racing game with 12 different raceways.  Technically it’s 6 courses that you can race again in the opposite direction, making a total of 12 raceways.  But do not think for a moment that this takes anything away from the game. Running these 6 courses the opposite direction makes for a totally new racing experience.

You start off by choosing your method of playing: Racing against other computer racers, going for a Hot Lap to try and beat your personal best times, or the Championship races. Then choose the level of difficulty, easiest to hardest, based on the engine size of the jet ski:  250cc, 500cc or the 1000cc.  Finally, the type of jet ski.  Each with their own pros and cons, depending on your style of racing in regards to their acceleration, speed, and handling capabilities.

 

One of the things I like about this game is the colorful environments you race through. From futuristic cities, to inside power plants, to what feels like a flooded subway system. And it is not just full speed and stay straight while going through the courses. With random low clearances such as bridges and lowered ceilings, you have to make sure you are riding the swells just right to avoid collisions.

Besides the game being fast paced and fun for your eyes to take in, you will enjoy the attention to physics taken into consideration for most of the action that takes place during the race. From all the vertical lifts, bounces, and the splash downs. Yet as much attention that was given to certain aspects of the race, other items were unfortunately disregarded.

As just one example, this particular screen capture above is one of my pet peeves found in many games. The “invisible brick wall.”  The entire course is lined with this damn “invisible brick wall.”  You cannot launch out of the course. The above screen capture is a “Tabletop” stunt where I shot off to the left of the course by accident.  Not only did the jet ski stay within the course, instead of crashing on the concrete sidewalk off to the left, the stunt was completed successfully without a hitch. Another item that should result in a guaranteed crash, would be when performing a full back flip and another racer clips you with their jet ski at full speed.  Instead you go unscathed, completing the stunt successfully. Some may argue that you’ll be crashing throughout the race.  But without the risk of crashing, there is no need to ever slow down.  And with so much effort to make the game realistic, why stop half way?

The majority of the crashes that will be taking place are when a stunt is attempted too late into a jump, or the size and height of a swell is misjudged, resulting in not enough air time to complete the stunt.  These crashes are nicely done though, with the racer getting projected over the front of the jet ski, splashing into the water, and floating motionless.

Overall, its a great game and lots of fun to play.  And each race only takes about 3 minutes, so it is easy to get a quick race in for those short on time like myself.

PROS Environments are total eye candy Fast paced music improves game play Tilt motion sensing for steering works great Swells of water always randomly rolling, so course is not identically handled on each run CONS Invisible brick walls “Boosting” is not necessary to win a race Computer racers seem to only boost if you boost Brake buttons are where your thumbs lay comfortably when holding device Needs a “course preview” WISH Option to “see” through the eyes of the racer or at least camera angle was similar to racer’s view

Available for all your Android and iOS devices, but recommend the larger tablet devices if you want to enjoy the full landscapes in the background.  Game is also tied to OpenFeint, to have fun competing against your friends and foes.

Final Rating: 7/10

CBR Break Down:
Console Played On: Android Tablet (ASUS Eee Pad Transformer)
Available On: Google Play, App Store, Amazon Appstore, Nook
Time to completion: Still playing.  Trying to get 1st place Gold Medal on each type of race.
Gamer Score Earned: N/A
Price Bought at: $2.99
Current Price: $2.99 on Google Play
Recommend Purchase Price: $2.99
Why you should buy it: Enjoy racing games
Why you shouldn’t buy it: Don’t enjoy racing games or device does not have motion sensor capability. (touch steering is an option though in game)