Jet Car Stunts is a platform game... with a jet car. The game is really a mixture of three different genres, which merge together, forming the inventive physics platform racer that the it is. Contrary to other, possibly overambitious genre-mixing games, it manages to succeed with this eye opening combination, and True Axis have managed to develop an outstanding hybrid. Now, past the initial impressions of the game and onto the raw gameplay, which is even better. There are two modes in the game: Platforming and Time Trial, the former will give you some of the most unique driving you’ll ever come across, and the latter, a severe adrenaline rush.

In Platforming you have to get from the start to the finish using as few retries as possible. Throughout your journey along the twisting and turning track you’ll come across numerous jumps, rings and other hurdles. These are proven to be pretty tricky to get past but luckily your jet car is equip with none other than a massive jet engine to aid you across these huge gaps. Of course going at a high speed can be a problem at times so a clever “air brake” is also installed in your car. Put together, these allow you to make long, and precise, jumps, which are a key part of the gameplay. In fact the game is really about trial, error, and solid practice. At the start you are bound to fail jumps repeatedly, but as you get to know your surroundings, it becomes much easier.

Time Trial, on the other hand, is a little less about precision, and more about speed. You have to complete five laps in each track and you’re racing against the clock. Like in the Platforming mode, you only gain more fuel when you pass a checkpoint which means you have to use your jet wisely. Getting a fast time means using your jet at the right times and definitely not running out before you get to a jump. In both of the modes you can gain a bronze, silver or gold medal corresponding to your number of replays, or time.

Graphics are a significant part of any game, and Jet Car Stunts manages to balance them perfectly with gameplay. The geometric environment full of various shapes and shadows, and many panoramic skies looks stunning. Likewise, your glossy red car seems to dazzle in the sunlight of these simple, yet beautiful surroundings. While we certainly like intricate graphics, they can often spoil the gameplay, or sometimes the controls, so we think the developers definitely made the right choice with this style.

The “Stunts” part of Jet Car Stunts isn't immediately obvious in the gameplay, but you’ll quickly realise why it’s there. You are bound to miss jumps, crash into objects and generally fall short in the game at times and these always end in a relatively enjoyable way. If you’re pushing your car to go at a high speed and collide with an object, your car will smash in numerous pieces, which go flying. This is extremely satisfying and is really the cherry on the cake. Performing different stunts like back flips and barrel rolls will also earn you achievements in the intergrated OpenFeint service. Within this you can also compete for the fastest times against people all around the world.

We only have one minor complaint with Jet Car Stunts and that is to do with its audio. While the sounds are literally smashing, there is no music at all. What makes this worse is the inability to play your own iPod music. We think that blasting through the air would just be that tiny bit more fun with an adrenaline pumping background track. Of course, this complaint is only minor and Jet Car Stunts is an absolutely terrific game. For $1.99 this is truly a steal, and is without a doubt a game you will play over and over again.

Media gallery

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Why not try...

---

• 

  Solipskier

• 

  iStunt

• 

  Jump-O-Mania 3D!

• 

  Touchgrind