2XL ATV Offroad, the follow-up to 2XL Games’ popular 2XL Supercross, has hit the app store. Featuring a career mode that was sorely lacking from its predecessor, as well as crisp graphics and exciting gameplay, 2XL ATV Offroad is establishing itself as a racing title to be reckoned with.
2XL ATV Offroad offers a choice of Arcade, Career, and Multiplayer (local wi-fi only) modes. There are 18 different track to choose from, including freestyle tracks, outdoor tracks, and stadium tracks. After selecting your location, you can pair up one of the 15 available riders with any of the 15 available ATVs, creating one of over 200 unique combinations. Event settings include choosing time trials, practice, or race, where you actually compete with up to 8 other riders. Difficulty settings are also available in easy, normal, and hard varieties. When racing, you can also set the number of laps between 2 and 20. You’ll be treated to a quick intro video of the track to help you get your bearings before you go live. The AI is pretty decent, as riders will do what’s necessary to maintain their positioning and try to drive you off of the track. Career mode will track your stats and allow you to compete in 11 different leagues, of which only 1 is unlocked from the start. You race in multiple events in each league and must finish 3rd or better overall in order to unlock the next and advance.
Graphically, this is easily one of the nicer looking iDevice games, with clear, crisp images and tons of quality. We often found ourselves distracted from the race itself as we checked out the landscapes. Sounds are decent, with a very cool soundtrack of alternative-type music that you’d expect at an X Games event. Control schemes vary widely, so you should find one that appeals. There are 4 different schemes: tilt 1, tilt 2, touch, and advanced. Each has a right-handed and left-handed version, totaling 8 schemes in all. All schemes include a gas and brake button, as well as stunt buttons. Some also include steering mechanisms and preload buttons. Though the tilt options work just fine, we tend to prefer the touch options, which give us a greater feeling of control. The options menu allows you to choose from these schemes, as well as set sensitivity, brake assist, auto throttle, visibility of buttons, and more. Statistics and achievements are tracked so that you can analyze your progress and greatest moments. The game also supports multiple profiles, so multiple people can play without interfering with each other’s stats.
While it may not seem that 2XL ATV Offroad offers a ton in the way of varied gameplay, what it does offer is top-notch. With a multitude of riders, tracks, leagues, and events, it should take quite some time to achieve victory in all aspects of the game. The controls handle very well, the animation is smooth as can be, and the racing is challenging in a way that doesn’t turn off first-time players nor upset long-time fans. Replayability is very high. The ability to just hit some freestyle courses and practice jumps and stunts is a nice bonus, as not enough games give you that free-roaming feeling. While you’ll need to shell out $7.99 for this gem, you’re getting one of the better quality games out there in return. This 5-Dimple beauty from 2XL Games offers solid gameplay without sacrificing quality in any area.
2XL ATV Offroad gets our AppSmile 5-Dimple rating:
