Asphalt 3D

Rating: E10+

Score: 6.5/10

Now that the 3DS is out, soon we'll be swimming in games. Although, as already stated in my last column, there's not much for a launch line-up. Admittedly, that's both a good and bad thing, depending on if you're the gamer or creator. Gamers get little options for their system (with little choices), but creators get their new game tried out through gamer desperation (with gamers eagerly wanting a game to try out on their new system ). Asphalt 3D is one of the eager ones jumping out at launch, but will it only be bought in desperation? This game is, of course, exclusively to the 3DS.

The Asphalt series was born and raised on handheld systems. Phones, iPods, DS’s, Palm Pre’s, you name it. I first got my hands dirty with the series on the DSi-Ware. It was a stripped Need For Speed, but for a small fee and a download, it's customization and addictive gameplay made for a great download. Now we're in not only in cartridge territory, we're also in 3D territory. The game will need a large upgrade.

The story is the same. The same lack of, that is. You're an unknown and unnamed racer going into tournaments, what more do you really need? Well, it certainly doesn't get any more bare-bones than that.

The gameplay is more of the same story. You race, customize your car, and race some more. Its simplicity and stripped style still shows, but the fluidity of it all is fantastic. Drifting, a feature that can easily make or break an arcade racing game, is done smoothly and blends perfectly with the racing. To non-gamers (or non-arcade-racing-gamers), it may seem weird to praise controls in such a way but the controls are everything in arcade-style racing games.

As expected, you start with the small cars like Mini Coopers, then go to Nismos, then Ferraris, then Lamborghinis. You get better vehicles as you level, and you level as you race. So race fast to race even faster. In addition to upgrading cars, you can upgrade every relevant part to a car to make your Mini Cooper outspeed a Lamborghini, a feeling bested by very few others.

Nitro is a big part of the game. You get it by going fast and collecting bottles on the road, you use it with the shoulders, and having full nitro gives the ability to instantly crash other drivers. The screen goes black and red, and you go super-speed for the time you have your nitro bar on anything but empty. It's nice and artistic, and it stands out from the rest of the game, since it's the only part that gets artistic at all.

As for audio, there's nothing too notable. Not like Need For Speed where you had Pendulum, Benny Benassi, and 30 Seconds To Mars. Nothing outstanding, but nothing particularly bad either.

The 3D looks good when it gets used, but otherwise it sees little use when all you ever see is the back of cars. Menus have the effect, and some other menu-esque things, but the game is just as well played in 2D, knocking much of the value off.

While it has problems, quite a few, it masters the basics well. Being fluid and being fun go hand in hand, but there's no polish to the game. The 3D is needless, and there's no extra value to the game. For a release title, it's something to check out to hold you over. Until then, this game will only just get you to the finish line.