GameSir T2a Review on Asphalt 8: Airborne: Great For a Quick Adrenaline Rush

"Asphalt 8: Airborne carries on the tradition of providing an exciting racing experience on your mobile device with an added twist."

-gadgets.ndtv.com

Asphalt 8: Airborne, as the eighth game in the series, is a very successful racing game. The sheer sensation of speed and momentum, constant and sensitive controls and abundant racing scenes make it highly playable and enjoyable.

If you desire a simulation like the Real Racing franchise at this game, you may despair, as arcade racers like this one don't own real-world physics and controls. This type of racer is meant to be much more fast-paced and entertaining than the sims, so racing purists might want to look elsewhere. But the game is still a lot of fun.

• Controls

The default control system requires that the throttle always be on to tilt to steer. The right side of the screen lies a nitro boost while the brakes on the left side. Actually, you won't need to slow down much in this arcade racer as you can tap brakes to put you into drift mode. What's more, there are also pickups around the track for nitro, so do not worry about overusing your speed boost, just rush!

Gamepad playing is perfectly compatible. I use a GameSir T2a to test. When the gamepad is connected, the game will detect it automatically. You do not need to have extra settings as the gamepad adapts itself. However, sad thing is, gamepad settings are not available, which means you can play only with the default gamepad button setting (left joystick to turn, right one to accelerate). And when you pause and go back to game, the gamepad seems not to be working. So my conclusion is, this game must be welcomed by gamers who do not rely on gamepad playing.

• Gameplay

There are only nine different racing locations, but you can trace and face plenty of variation brought by them. You can enjoy eight race seasons, each of which mixes all race types, relieving you from playing the same old routine.

As you race, random ramps will appear on your track to give you air and let you perform a couple of different tricks. Jumps give you extra nitro, so you'll definitely want to take them. Though you do not land well and the car goes sideways, it will automatically go back the right lane itself. If you go off a twisted ramp, your car will perform a barrel roll.

• Multiplayer modes

If you want to race with other players, you can compete with your friends or other real players over Wi-Fi. Gameplay was good, with no lag or hiccup during the race. Under multiplayer mode, you are free to choose the race track and car type. And this mode will be a little harder than playing with real-world players as it poses the biggest challenge from players coming from around the world.

• Graphics

Talking to this, I found some differences between iOS version & Android version. The former one performs better than the latter one as graphics are vivid: iOS version shows a lot more particles and broken glass when jockeying for position with other cars while Android version doesn't have nearly the detail. It won't affect the game itself but experience would be appreciated.

• Conclusion

Asphalt 8: Airborne is the best arcade racing game I've played in a while and the best so far in the franchise as there are countless car types to unlock, amazing track, high-speed rush and drifting in the air, so the game is great for a quick adrenaline rush.

Source: cnet