Asphalt 4 for N-Gage review

Andrew Williams

We review Asphalt 4, the long-running arcade racer series on N-Gage for some hi-octane racing fun

Published on Sep 3, 2009

Asking someone whether they prefer arcade racers or driving sims is like asking whether they like dry or sweet wine, cheddar or stilton or, to travel back a decade, Blur or Oasis. A love for one is often equally matched by a hatred of the other, so if you’re not into arcade racing games, we can already tell you that Asphalt 4 may not be for you.

Asphalt 4’s model of racing is based on collecting boost power-ups and occasionally smashing your opponents into the side of the road until they flip over, in a manner that would shortly be followed by symphony of blaring sirens in the real world.

As fanciful as it may be, Asphalt 4’s cars are based on real ones just as its races are based in real cities, although don’t go expecting accurate recreations of the cities’ road networks.

When you start, you only have access to a handful of cars, including the console racer favourite the Mini Cooper. Equally, you’re restricted to a Los Angeles race to start with. However, as long as you perform reasonably well in each race challenge, new cars and races will be unlocked virtually with every one you complete.

There are 28 licensed cars in total, right up to ultra high performance vehicles like the Bugatti Veyron, Ferrari Enzo and even motorbikes. You also unlock new components with which to customise your vehicle, which boils down to giving it a speed, acceleration, handling or braking boost.

In each of the six race locations from around the world, there are four different events, either focused on straight-out racing or a more attack-based road rage style. Structurally, it’s hard to fault. It’s strong on the visual front too, with full 3D graphics that put the java version to shame.

There is a slight sense that drifting is a little hard to predict, as if specific corners are designed to make you slide around. Drifting is not a huge part of the game though, since boost bonuses are picked up directly rather than gained by sliding all over the place.

With its racing meets dodgems gameplay, Asphalt 4 feels similar to high flying console race series Burnout. This is no bad thing though, and the quality race gameplay slots together with a good structure to give an engaging racing experience.