Real Racing 3

I'm impressed that EA decided to lay down a free racer. I'm even more impressed that they aren't (in my opinion) at all audible about asking you to pay for in-game upgrades, etc. However, that doesn't mean that they went all-out for a top-notch racing game.

Real Racing 3 is pretty simple: you race, you buy new cars, you upgrade them, you race more. It contains no storyline of any kind (thank you!). What it does contain is races upon races upon races and quite a number of good-looking, licensed cars. Races range from the classic three-laps-around-the-track to drag races to top speed challenges. The cars range from the Ford Focus to the McLaren F1. And everything looks pretty spectacular considering the limitations of the iPhone.

Real Racing 3 also incorporates some of its namesake into the game. In addition to paying for cars and upgrades, you have to pay for any damage your car takes during a race--from windshields to mirrors--and each has an individual cost, plus a hit to your car's performance if you choose not to fix it. This realistic system includes maintenance issues, as well, like changing the oil and swapping out the tires. With maintenance, though, you're forced to wait through the process across several minutes of real time before you can use your car again. This wait also occurs when you order a new car. But however annoying it might be sometimes, it's honestly not a very big issue and it supports the idea (along with the game's relatively quick races) that this is a racing game for iOS--meaning you're supposed to be on the go and multitasking. So a little wait isn't going to matter because you've got plenty else to do.

My main issue with the game is that it has way too much to do and none of it is particularly difficult. This may be a good thing for other people, or simply untrue, based upon skill level. But the game was unsatisfying for me, as I never felt a true sense of accomplishment after winning a race. Monetary progress was quick, so I could always buy a new car before the old one got stale, and there was always another set of races that popped up when I won enough of them. But, overall, the difficulty wasn't quite substantial enough and the pacing suffered.

This, I imagine, is far from a universal experience, though. And that's why I'd still recommend this game to just about anyone. It's a thoroughly extensive time-killer if nothing else.