Asphalt Overdrive Review

More a mission-based auto-runner than a conventional racing game, Asphalt Overdrive expects you to grind - a lot - but it’s kind of fun in short bursts.

Offering an 80s style atmosphere, Asphalt Overdrive gives the impression of a game trying to remember Miami Vice, mostly through its vivid use of colors. You race your way through numerous different mission types but the general premise remains the same. Controls are a matter of swiping left or right to change direction and double-tapping to activate a nitro boost.

Early on, you’ll mostly be escaping the cops by attempting to reach a set distance before they catch up to you. Dodging obstacles while also collecting cans of nitro are vital here, but skill falls by the wayside in favor of upgrading your car. That’s where the freemium elements of Asphalt Overdrive shine through. You’ll be spending a fair amount of time grinding previously completed stages in order to earn cash to boost your vehicle’s capabilities.

Grinding wouldn’t be so bad given that it only takes a minute or two to complete a run, but there’s an energy system that limits just how many times you can play Asphalt Overdrive during one session. It’s slow to recharge too, so don’t expect to play it for any great length of time.

What’s more fun than escaping cops are the other level types. A tricks mode involves jumping over ramps and performing tricks. It’s pretty simple, with only a few tricks to learn, but it's more entertaining than just racing in a straight line. As well as that is the takedown mode that encourages you to smash into opponents. It’s like a very simple version of the Burnout series.

Simplicity is both an advantage and a hindrance to Asphalt Overdrive. It’s fun for five minutes but ultimately quite shallow. Throw in the restrictive energy system and you’ll find the early sessions of Asphalt Overdrive are way more exciting than later on. All too soon, the adrenaline rush leaves and you’ll wonder just what was so thrilling about 30 seconds of gaming here and there.