Ground Effect is an F-Zero or WipEout style hover-ship racing game where players traverse a series of varied tracks in high speed racing action. You’ll need to navigate each track, fly through each checkpoint and use your turbo effectively to come out as the winner and progress onto the next race.
There are two control schemes for players to use; a tilting scheme and a control stick scheme. Sadly neither one of these options is as responsive or smooth as you’d like them to be. Your ship’s acceleration is automatic and the only player input besides steering is boosting and breaking to control your speed.
Make no mistake, the 3D visuals look great and make the game standout. The sound on the other hand is a bit underutilised and plain, with no iPod access available to players. As for the game mode itself, you might be disappointed to find out that there are only two single player modes, normal race and ghost race.
Ground Effect shows promise but the lack of options and tricky controls make it difficult to enjoy. The graphics are certainly well done but unfortunately not much else is. Hopefully these issues will be addressed soon with an update or two but you might want to wait this one out and just see what happens.
Description
If you want to win races by shooting opponents or buying a faster vehicle, look elsewhere. If you are interested in the "best pure racing game on the iPhone" read on. Ground Effect is a silky Smooth Arcade Racer - Unique, Simple, Fast. Set on the smoothest, most detailed landscape yet seen on the iPhone.
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Youtube Search "Ground Effect iPhone" or follow the link to my site for the gameplay video.
"visually stunning with extremely impressive draw distance and silky smooth framerates... The game has a really great sense of speed and movement as you find yourself bobbing over surfaces trying to make the best time, and level designs are also varied and enjoyable...the game is great fun and has kept me coming back" - TouchArcade
"What stood out to us in this game first and foremost are the stunning graphics. The environments are very beautifully rendered, and the contrails behind your skimmer serve two purposes. One is to give you an idea of the flight path of your opponents, and the other is to look really, really cool" - Slide to Play
"Its pedigree is impeccable. Created by Glenn Corpes, the legendary coder of Bullfrog and EA UK games in the 1990s, it looks great, and the accelerometer controls are a delicate combination of solid and sensitive... Like WipEout, the best levels become somewhat Zen-like" - Pocket Gamer
"Anyone who likes racing games and wants something a little different than the usual auto-racing type of game should check out Ground Effect" - cnet
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Ground Effect is one of the most fun, exhilarating, addictive & visually impressive games to arrive at the App Store. Think flying, think driving, think racing, then think again! Skim land and seacapes in your high performance ekranoplan at low altitude and breakneck speed, supported by a cushion of air.
Ground Effect is set on a series of scenic, deserted islands, rich in green foliage and dramatic natural features including steep cliffs, winding coastal paths, blue lagoons and breathtaking skies. On each level, terrain varies between challenging courses dodging between rocks and islets and clinging to winding mountain roads.
Developed exclusively for the iPhone and iPod Touch and inspired by ekranoplan technology, Ground Effect boasts incredible 3D graphic detail and the gameplay itself will appeal to lovers of fast-paced, competitive action games as well as those who prefer something more sedate and relaxing.
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GAME FEATURES
- 14 challenging levels
- Choice of 10 Ground Effect craft
- Touch or accelerometer controls
- Stunning terrains - courses over land and sea - spanning 70 km2
- Attain speeds of over 400 kmh
- Throttle speed & boost controls
- High score recording
- Replay mode - take over and perfect your performance at any point
- Ghost race - race against your own fastest time
- Free roaming – explore at will
- Huge draw distance
- Sensitive and intuitive flight controls
- Enjoy the in-game music or listen to your iPod
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AUDIO
Ground Effect features “A Rock in a Pond”, an amazingly atmospheric track by Diefenbach, from their latest album "Dark Spinner", combined with dramatic sound effects.
What's New in Version 1.2
OpenFeint Leaderboards for every track and total time. 59 OpenFeint Achievments with 700+ gamerscore.
Improved 3D glasses support. Ground Effect does not require 3D glasses but supports all common coloured types.
$1.99
