Most racing games you see today for iOS devices are of the type that allow you to set everything on your car ranging from the gear ratios to the pin striping. And while I love those kind of games, and can spend hours playing them, sometimes I want to play a racing game to fill a few seconds with hectic, coming at ya’ action. That’s right, a few seconds. Enter Smacky Cars!
Overview
The developer of Smacky Cars calls the game, “the most addicting game to come along since Flappy Bird.” And if by that they also mean the most frustrating game to come along since Flappy Bird, I would have to agree with them. However, just because the game is frustrating, doesn’t mean it isn’t well done, and fun to play.
To play Smack Cars, you simply tap on the screen to drive your little 8-bit roadster, and avoid other vehicles as you race forward. That’s it. Tap left, switch lanes to the left. Tap right, switch to the lane to the right. The action is hectic, and coming at you at an amazingly fast clip as soon as you tap “Start.” I was lucky to pass 1 or 2 cars when I first tried out the game.
I actually had a helluva time playing long enough to get the screenshots accompanying this review!
The graphics in Smacky Cars are definitely retro, reminding me of such ’80s old-school arcade classics as Turbo, and Spy Hunter. This is not a bad thing, I loved those games, and the 8-bit style graphics are definitely fitting for a casual game of this type.
My reflexes aren’t what they used to be, so I was in for a bout of frustration when I first sat down with this game. Words that I would definitely not want anyone’s Mom to hear me say easily flew out of my mouth, as I crashed and restarted again and again. I did find myself eventually getting into a rhythm, allowing me to make a somewhat respectable showing.
Younger players with sharp reflexes will adapt to Smacky Cars’ hectic pace, however those among us that enjoy a quick, (and by quick, I mean a 2 second), game while waiting in line at the DMV will find Smacky Cars also worth the free download. (But watch your language, they frown on cursing at the DMV.)
The game will save your best game to the Smacky Cars leaderboard, so be prepared to be embarrassed. The #1 score of 2,147,483,647 set by “LEVELLEGEND.” (I’m afraid I would need to see that happen to believe it.)
Verdict
Smacky Cars is worth a download for anyone who enjoys a challenging, yet casual gaming experience. While the immediately hectic pace of the game will irritate many players, they most assuredly will be tapping the “START” button “Just one more time!”
Tip: If the game is too frustrating on the iPhone, try it on the iPad if one is available. I found that I was able to play better on the iPad.
Even though the game is simple, and a it derivative of other “reaction” based games, it rates a solid 3.5 rating.
Rating:3.5/5.0[rating:3.5]
Price: FREE – Available for the iPhone and iPad in the iOS App Store. [DIRECT LINK]
Pros:
- Easy to dive right in and play.
- The tap to move controls are simple and easy to pick up on.
- Love the 8-bit graphics. Perfect for this type of game.
Cons:
- The action is really hectic from the very start, if the game started slower at the beginning, and then sped up as we moved forward, It would be a lot more enjoyable for first-timers.
*Note: The above review was commissioned by the developer in accordance with our app review policy, and has been written in an objective, unbiased fashion.
