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DrawRace (iPhone)


Review by Ben Briggs, July 18, 2009

iPhone integration (About)
  • Save state: No
  • iPod music: Yes
  • Status bar: No
  • Version: 1.02
  • Price as reviewed: 59p
  • by RedLynx

Once every so often, a game comes along that completely changes your perceptions of the whole genre. It's execution is sufficiently different to make it become remembered. DrawRace is one of those games. Sure, we've all seen top down racers before in one way or another, but what makes this one different is it's intuitive control mechanic - you literally draw your pathway through, and what's more is that your opponent cannot crash into you. It's all about the line that you take.

20 different tracks offer a good dose of variety.

Of course, there's much more to it than that. The speed at which you draw affects the speed of your car - and there's no way to tell whether you're doing it right until you've drawn out all of your laps. Once the cars have passed the starting line, there's nothing you can do, save hope that you've drawn the best line. Slowing down is a must to avoid skidding, especially later on as the computer opponent presents a good challenge. 20 different tracks offer a good dose of variety, especially with the assorted scenery around them. A nice touch is that many tracks look worn, like many cars have driven over them - we're sure you'll get a lot out of them.

Not only can you go up against the AI, you can race up to three opponents in the pass-and-play multiplayer mode. Because you draw your line before the race, you can all choose your line and then see the results. It's a great deal of fun when you become accustomed to the controls - then you'll be zipping around the track and not skidding everywhere, losing precious seconds.

Because each race is very short, we can excuse the lack of game save state - most courses have only two or three laps. We really like the presentation in the game, yes it does remind us of Flight Control (it's safe to say if you liked Flight Control you won't go wrong here), but it has a certain quality to it that's all it's own. Indeed, the upbeat techno music in the title screen certainly evokes the atmosphere of a race, even though it's not present in the actual head to head racing - you'll only get engine noise and tyre squealing here. Not that there's anything wrong with that of course. Global leader boards round off a very well presented package.

While some could question the game's longevity, it is what it is. A twenty course racer with a unique control scheme, time trials, ghost laps, online leader boards and pass-the-iPhone multiplayer which works extremely well. It's also available for 59p. It's a complete steal.

Grade: B, Great

An immensely satisfying game, with stylish graphics and addictive hot seat multiplayer. It makes near perfect use of the touch screen.

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