Game: AiRace Xeno
Console: Nintendo 3DS
Developer: Qubic Games
Release Date: 12th June 2014
AiRace Xeno is a "racing" game consisting mainly of time trials with a few additional bonus levels. Players fly high-speed airships through 2-4 laps of circuits, aiming for a fast time in order to win medals and unlock new tracks. In bonus levels players must guide their ship through rings within a certain time. There are no computer controlled opponents, and the ship's top speed is such that it's near impossible to control well whilst boosting, yet most time trial goals require players to be almost constantly doing so.
The handling is a little floaty for my liking, but understandable due to the nature of the airships. Without constant braking the ship flies a little too fast to reliably control and will often end up crashing into purposely placed track obstacles. The tracks are designed to resemble parts of an industrial looking space colony, and alien parts as far as I can tell, which is an interesting theme that could have been even further expanded upon.
Graphically the game can be a little bland, both in terms of colour and overall theme. Flying quickly through the environments is perhaps not the best way to experience them. Musically, racing is accompanied by an electronic soundtrack which doesn't do a lot to enhance the game experience, and only provides rare moments of joy for players. The 3D effect of the console helps a little to spice up the game, but it's not enough to bring the environments to life.
Overall AiRace Xeno could have been improved with AI opponents, a better progression through its main mode, more exciting environments and a little less focus on speed over controllability. That said, it's not an expensive game and there is some fun to be had with the time trials and tracks included. Fans of the Wipeout and F Zero series might get a kick out of the game, with its genre similarity.
Rating: 61/100
Grade: D
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