Flip, roll or just race

Gameloft's Asphalt 8: Airborne has arrived to the gaming world as the successor to Asphalt 7: Heat, a game that was a runaway hit. 

As the name suggests, the latest offering by Gameloft rewards you for the tricks performed while you are airborne; 'Barrel Rolls' or 'Flat Spin' jumps, for instance. 

One can do Barrel Rolls by driving onto one of the many angled ramps present on the track, allowing the automated mix of gravity and momentum take care of the rest. More often than not, you land safely, unless you falter with the approach. Flat Spin jumps require you to go off a ramp while drifting and you need to bring your skills into action for gaining success in it.

In terms of graphics, the game does not let you down. All the 47 licensed cars are crafted to ignite the racing passion in you. To add to that, the nine courses spread across the globe are designed to perfection. With the added punch of some licensed music such as "Be Electric" by The Qemists, "Etude" by Nero, "Rocksteady" by The Bloody Beetroots, "Fire Inside" by Gemini etc, the game renders an experience which does not just appeal to your eyes, but to your ears as well. 

Verdict: Asphalt 8 Airborne is a game all gaming freaks should lay their hands on. However, make sure you have a device to support it or else the continuous lags can spoil the fun

Availability: Asphalt 8: Airborne can be yours for Rs 55 on iOS and Android. Considering the price, the game is a must download, if you own the hardware to support it.
Pros: Track designs, Multiple game modes,Barrel rolls, Flat Spin jumps
Cons: Crashes often on average smartphones, availing of new cars can be a pain
The game stuttered at times on my Xolo Play T1000, though the third-generation iPad, on which I tried the game as well, handled everything without any glitches.

Asphalt 8: Airborne can be played in various modes including World Series (Multiplayer over the internet), a local Wi-Fi race, a quick Solo race, or the Career mode. The home screen of the game takes a while to figure out the various options.

On the outset, Asphalt 8: Airborne, appears to be an easy ride, but it is surprisingly difficult to actually win a race, especially with the car you begin with. Upgrading can be done through in-app purchase, or by winning races, (which is quite an uphill task.)

The game controls are a bit confusing to handle initially. Their is an option that allows you to tap the screen to turn left or right, with the brake and nitro triggered by specific buttons at the bottom of each side of the screen. Asphalt 8: Airborne's numerous features and modes, including multiplayer, help round out this package.  It's an easy recommendation for anyone who likes their races a little more realistic than a cartoon kart racer, but with a healthy dose of over-the-top arcade action.