I love the fact that the iPhone apps these days have better graphics than some of the systems that we were using only a few years ago. The mobile gaming has come so far, and it’s great to see a variety of game types on these devices. GT Racing: Motor Academy is a street-racing game by Gameloft for iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad running iOS 3.1.3 or later. Aside from the beautiful graphics this game sports on the iOS devices, I wouldn’t go out of my way to get it. As a racing game on the iPhone platform, I’m disappointed in the quality.
The moment I opened GT Racing, I knew it was going to frustrate me. The game seems as though it would fit nicely on a console such as PlayStation or the Wii, but it doesn’t seem to be tailored for the iPhone or any hand-held device. If you don’t approach the development from the standpoint of completely new, you’ll be stuck on emulation. The goal is not to make a better/different version of something that already exists, but to create something that is altogether new.
With that aside, the app plays like you think it will. You tip the device to steer the vehicle. I felt the controls could have been better — but I will say, I was using a crappy car. The main menu is extremely cluttered, and it is really hard to navigate. It took me way too long to just get into basic race. It’s not self-explanatory, and I believe that in any iOS app, if you have to explain for more than a few seconds, you might as well redesign your app.
If you’re dying to have a new racing game, give it a try — it’s free. But don’t go out of your way to get it. That is, unless you really want to see the Gameloft intro graphics, because they are really cool.
Download the free Appolicious iPhone app
