The eighth edition of the Asphalt series; Asphalt 8 has turned out to be one of the best and most popular racing games. Developed by ExotikBikes and Gameloft, Airborne has changed the way mobile racing games work and is an improvement over its predecessor, Asphalt 7: Heat. It is currently available on iOS, iPad OS, Android, Windows Phone 8, BlackBerry 10, Fire OS, Tizen, Microsoft Windows, tv OS, macOS, and Windows 10 mobile.

A case can be made that this is the most complete package of any mobile arcade game. It gets better when you realize that it goes for a meager $0.99. You get to race in some of the most exotic locations globally, which gives every location a unique environment that always feels fresh—Dubai, Tokyo, San Diego Harbor, London, etc. Airborne offers eight seasons and 180 races overall, and you get more options by using the multiplayer campaign.

Top Of The Line Arcade Gameplay

The coolest upgrade of Asphalt 8: Airborne is that it has more jump-focused gameplay than any previous versions. Ramps are ubiquitously located all around the tracks, which gives you more reason to get into the air. You are rewarded with extra points for your “airtime”, which is the time you spend in the air. The developers retained the five-star rating system from previous versions, where-in you got three stars for coming first and two extra stars for performing other stunts and other secondary objectives.

This move incentivizes secondary objectives such as knocking out opponents, doing stunts in the air, etc. Being airborne may get you Nitros, but it is slower than when you’re on the ground. Speaking of Nitro boosts, there are now many more ways to earn them in Asphalt 8. You can perform standard jumps or barrel rolls, destroy obstacles, damage the city or hit traffic cars. You can now perform a “Perfect Nitro” by double-tapping the screen.

Intuitive Controls For A Better Gaming Experience

Airborne uses controls such as Asphalt 7, which is a “Tilt to steer” control. It combines that with a “Tilt-icon” control, tilting your mobile device and accelerating using an on-screen icon. You can also opt for the “On-screen control”, where you use a virtual steering and auto acceleration. Lastly, you can “Tap to steer”, in which case you tap the sides of your screen to control the car’s direction.

I prefer the “Tilt to steer” because it is more liberating than the other control options. It gives flexibility, allowing me to focus on the environment, the map, and other drivers. Without a doubt, Asphalt 8: Airborne is more than the driving experience alone; it encourages Aggressive driving, excessive drifting, defying the law of gravity, and knocking out the opponent.

Immersive Graphics With Beautiful Scenery

The graphics go to great lengths to give a sense of speed, which is exceptional. The cities are designed with intricate details, such as skyline, mountain peaks, neon signs, etc., which gives a distinct feel to the cities. There are only a handful of locations, so you easily get tired of them as you progress in the game.

As exciting as Nitro Boost can be, it causes the environment around you to accelerate into a blur. This may affect your visibility while trying to navigate the tracks. I’m sure you know how hard it can be to control a car going at Nitro speed.

Exciting Soundtracks Perfect For Racing

Gameloft takes gaming soundtracks to another level with Asphalt 8: Airborne. It features licensed soundtracks which act as a radio with selectable stations. You get to choose between rock, electronic, and bass, and these stations play songs from artists like Martin Garrix, Band of Skulls, MONSTA, Skrillex, etc.

These recognizable sounds get your blood pumping in excitement and keep you in a fast-paced mind frame as you drift through the tracks. The swooshing sound for accompanies selecting levels or cars is badass. This comes with an impressive background score which is really.

Great Car Selection Option

Asphalt 8: Airborne has some of the best car selections that use real live models, including Audi, Lamborghini, etc. The cars sound great in action and rev powerfully when you increase intensity. Gameloft also paid attention to the change in sound for swerving, drifting, knockouts, and landing after airborne, making the game feel very dynamic.

On the upside, you can earn almost any car by winning and piling up in-game currency. One issue I noticed was the paywall to get the amazing cars. You need to pay $1.99 to unlock the supreme cars, which sucks. The electric cars are also not fast enough, and they sound funny.

Many Exciting Modes To Choose From

Motorcycles are back. Many Asphalt lovers were upset when the Asphalt 7: Heat removed the motorcycles campaign. They are back and are now available from the beginning of the game, so you don’t have to obtain stars to unlock them anymore. Infection is the name of the game. When you get bored of the monotony of regular campaigns, you can up the excitement with “infection”.

In this mode, your car gets infected, and you need to pass it on to another driver before it destroys you. It tests your speed, accuracy, and ability to avoid contact with cars which is not dependent on you winning the race. The knockout mode also deemphasized the race-winning aspect of the game. Your mission here is to knock out as many cars as possible until you become the last man standing. Plot twist, the others are also trying to knock you out, so you better be careful and watch your back.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Asphalt 8: Airborne is a truly exciting game for the price. Although you are nudged towards making in-app purchases with real money, you can usually wait it out and recharge. Top-notch gameplay using great cars and a wide option to choose from.