Toward the end of last year I was focused on writing reviews for an Android site and while I was aware of the great major releases like Real Racing 2, Black Pegasus and Nova 2, I missed some of the lesser known titles.  One of these is the horribly-titled Uber Racer 3D by Mad Processor.

This Mad Max inspired off-road racer is a great running mate to the track-based racing of RR2.  UR is a 3D racer with a real go-anywhere-do-anything feel to it.  The races take place in a desolate burnt-out future after the holocaust and the prize is oil.

Since you’re racing on dirt and sand there’s an appropriate floating feel to the racing that’s controllable but makes it easy to slide into rocks and obstructions if you misjudge a turn.  That’s when the fun begins as the damage modeling is one of the best I’ve ever seen as doors, panels and bumpers fall off and are dragged along the ground giving off sparks and slowing you down.  The physics are outstanding as vehicles go flying and tumbling through the air on jumps and crashes.

The green arrows point the way but if you follow them you probably won’t win as UR is about cutting corners, finding shortcuts and taking people out.  While UR may not have guns, it’s very much destruction derby type racing and slamming a racer into some rocks is just as thrilling as winning the race.  It’s racing without rules or roads.

The AI is tough.  Once, while I was sailing in for a win, a car came out of nowhere and slammed into my side sending me tumbling off the road.  It was one of the most sudden and shocking sensations I’ve ever felt in a racing game and made me wish there were some way to look around.  You’ll have to rely on Uber Racer’s phenomenal 3D-positional audio to warn you of approaching vehicles.

UR has a very organic feel.  In the elimination races or cups with 4 racers it seems as though you see something different every time you run it.  Either a racer will take a new route or miss a jump or there’ll be some spectacular new crash.  It’s quite remarkable in it’s randomness.

You need to win or at least come in 3rd in order to collect oil and purchase stronger vehicles and upgrades.  UR has a good, easy-to-understand upgrade system with a nice 3D garage. The graphics are outstanding with front bumper, hood and following cameras available.  The controls work well giving you a thumb pad for acceleration that you push up for extra boost and tilt steering as the default with the option to use touch.

There are 12 dune buggys, race cars and trucks for you to unlock all with different characteristics along with 10 different racing environments over 31 racing days, many involving multiple races.  With all this for $0.99, Uber Racer is a terrific bargain despite it’s not-so-terrific name.  It provides a great alternative to Race After 1977, a similar game with less depth and questionable controls for $4.99.

goyami@comcast.net