Real Racing 2 - iPhone/iPod Touch racing game

Australian game developer Firemint has followed up its very successful car racing game for iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad, Real Racing, with the sequel, and the Carsales Network took it out for a spin today.

It was a long walk to the Firemint studios here in Melbourne, and I was wishing I driven so I could while away the time playing a short game on my mobile during stops. When I got to studio, it turned out I could do both at once with Firemint's soon to be released Real Racing 2.

Retina display enhanced, Real Racing 2 looks a treat on the iPhone display. From the opening intro movie to the full 3D in-cockpit racing, there is plenty to ogle at -- when you are not busily trying to stay ahead of the pack...

This time around Firemint has managed to bring licensed cars to the virtual track (see full list below) but it is a nice mix of recognisable street cars with a smattering of super-cars, thirty in total.

Over 'Career Mode' and 'Quick Race' there will be 15 other AI controlled cars on the grid making for plenty of overtaking action, and with three levels of difficulty controlling the AI 'experience level' both newbies and racing game veterans are well catered for.

Career mode includes at least ten hours of gameplay, where both money and 'reputation' is accumulated for doing well in events across 15 locations.  Cars, tracks and events are unlocked using reputation points and cars can be modified between events by spending cash, akin to Forza or Gran Turismo games.

There are a moderate amount of tune-ups to select from and all improve your cars' handling, acceleration or top-speed. Then there is the actual racing.

Firemint has managed to get a satisfying blend of arcade racing with a smattering of simulation to give an immersive recipe of fun and rewarding gameplay. Real Racing 2 looks remarkable from the cockpit view, and can be played with a variety of controls including an on screen steering wheel, or my favourite, tilt steering.

The eye-candy is top-notch: Shadows play across the dashboard, smoke and dust kicks up from rival cars, and car damage even plays a part, with dislodged fenders and bumpers lying discarded on the track, victims of earlier race incidents.

Apart from my fingers occasionally blocking the speakers, the noise from your own (and opponent) vehicles drives a pleasant thrum through the aural receptors.

But this is a mobile game after all, so Firemint is careful to ensure the game is fun in small doses as well.

The HUD (Heads Up Display) can be toggled on and off, and there are a number of driver-assists that aid braking, a small amount of cornering nudge and anti-skid mechanisms that can be turned off as experience and confidence grows.

Then there are the multiplayer modes; sadly I didn't get a chance to try it out, but the ambition of what Firemint is attempting sounds impressive.

Sixteen players over the internet or 3G, eight players over local network, and if this sounds a little odd the reasoning is the hub-spoke network design using Firemint's own servers works better for internet play versus the mesh style bandwidth utilised between phones with a local network.

Sixteen player multiplayer for a high-res 3D driving game over 3G on a phone is pretty impressive engineering, and we can't wait to try it out.

Final thoughts? Real Racing 2 takes mobile car-racing to another level. Like Iron Monkey's Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit, Firemint has managed to cram console-style gaming into the palm of our hands.

There is a full replay system, employing five camera angles, a car respray booth for custom artwork, Game Center achievements and leader boards plus five tiers of racing events to experience in this new game.

Availability: Real Racing 2 arrives on the Apple App Store for all iPhone and iPod Touch devices this Thursday December 16th, 2010 for US$9.99 / £5.99 / €7.99 / AU$12.99 / ¥900.

Developer: Firemint.com.

Real Racing 2 licensed cars

Chevrolet
2010 Chevrolet Cobalt SS
2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS
2010 Chevrolet Camaro GS Race Car
2010 Chevrolet Corvette C6 ZR1
2010 Chevrolet Corvette C6.R    

Jaguar
2010 Jaguar XKR
2010 #33 Jaguar RSR XKR GT    

McLaren
2010 McLaren MP4-12C
1995 McLaren F1 GTR Race Car