SkyDrift (XBLA) Review
Posted by Jimmy Chavez on 10.04.2011
Can a racing game about planes loaded with weaponry be fun? Find out here.
Title: SKYDRIFT
Publisher: NAMCO BANDAI
Developer: DIGITAL REALITY
Genre: RACING & FLYING
Players: 1 ONLINE MULTIPLAYER 2-8
Rated: (E) EVERYONE
Welcome to SkyDrift! SkyDrift is a racing game set in the wild blue yonder. Players select their aircraft and off they go trying to make it to the finish line first. Now you may be thinking to yourself, that’s it? Oh no, there is so much more to SkyDrift than that.
Let’s start off with the controls. Simply put, they are well done. The default layout is set up with the turn and pitch on the left stick and the knife edge position (which let’s you make sharp turns) on the right. There is no button layout customization, which I can’t stand, but the layout is so well done that it doesn’t take away from the game at all. I found it extremely easy to learn and master the control scheme, which allowed me to concentrate on flying.
The gameplay is really solid in this game. When I started on my first flight, I immediately thought of Crimson Skies. That is not a bad thing in the slightest. The aircraft movement is fluid and easy to control, and pulling off stunts is fun yet still challenging. If you mess a stunt up, you’re more than likely going to end up meeting the ground or the side of a cliff.
As for the racing itself, there is a ton of strategy involved that you wouldn’t even realize at first glance. For example, each individual aircraft has its own strengths and weaknesses. Some are faster but lose maneuverability at higher speeds. While others are slower and built like a tank, but once they reach top speeds are extremely tough to take down or match up with. As you progress through the tracks, players unlock more planes for use. This allows players to develop numerous strategies per track, per airplane. The game has depth that keeps players trying new things even on tracks that they have already “mastered”.
Each plane does not start off with weaponry. Throughout various parts of each track, there are power-ups available for pick up. Here is a listing of a few:
Cannon – A powerful machine gun. Pick it up twice and the bullets become even more powerful.
Missile – A tracking missile that is useful for taking down that one guy that just won’t get out of your way. Pick it up twice for double the ammo.
Mine – Have someone that just won’t get off of your backside? Drop and mine and hear him go boom. Pick it up twice for three times as many which have a huge area of effect.
There are plenty of others but I’m not going to spoil them for you.
There are three separate modes you can play. The first is Power race, which is your basic get to the finish line first. The second is Speed race, where players have to use speed rings to try to finish first. Finally there is the survivor race. Players race to ensure they are not in the last place position when the count down timer reaches zero, otherwise they are eliminated. Make it through the final round of eliminations and you win. Sounds simple enough, but remember everyone else is trying to do the same thing. Alls fair in love and war.
The graphics are well done and look incredibly smooth. The landscape and water effects look great. When skimming the surface of the water, the water parts and splashes of it go all over. When you activate your speed boost, the blur effect looks tremendous. I didn’t ever see any kind of slow down or frame rate jumping, even when mixed in with a large number of planes.
The sound effects are above average simply because the right sounds were emphasized. The motors of the airplanes are not overly loud, which allows the other sound effects to not be drowned out by it. The machine gun fire, rocket explosions, and repair sounds are crisp and easily distinguishable. The music is satisfactory. It doesn’t blow you away but at least it doesn’t make you want mute it.
The 411
SkyDrift is a great title that is extremely well done. From smooth controls to great graphics, this game is challenging but a fun time. If you enjoyed Crimson Skies, you’ll enjoy this. If they had included some player vs player mode and made the airplanes customizeable, this could have easily been an in store retail game. Regardless, SkyDrift didn’t need that and it shows just how well made it is.
Graphics
8.5
The graphics are very good and the blur motion effect looks great. No slow down or frame rate issues equals smooth play.
Gameplay
8.0
You can play each individual track and use a different style of racing with each airplane available. Keeps things interesting.
Sound
6.5
The sound effects are good but the music is average at best.
Lasting Appeal
7.0
Various game modes and numerous aircraft to choose from give players numerous things to try to master. Plus seeing how good of a flyer you are agiainst other players is a nice challenge to take on.
Fun Factor
7.5
It wasn't much fun while learning how to control each aircraft but once I picked it up it became a lot more exciting with what I could do.
