Today at the Eurogamer Expo in in London, UK-based Stainless Games is demonstrating their upcoming iOS version of Carmageddon, the exquisitely grotesque automotive blood-on-the-pavement title that started doing its job as a rage-sink for gamers way back in 1997.
One of Stainless’ first titles, Carmageddon is a sandbox 3D driving game that puts you behind the wheel of one of several available Mad Max-style rugged racing vehicles with a hint of the post-apocalyptic. It’s a timed race against AI competitors through checkpoints spread through various environments, such as cities, mines, snowfields, etc. Extra time can be earned by running down hapless pedestrians, wrecking competitors’ cars, or gathering bonuses. It’s a race — yes — but the gameplay is really about the carnage more than the finish line. Happily, one need not actually cross that finish line ahead of the pack to win; victory can also be achieved by grinding every pedestrian on the map into a red, chunky paste or by completely destroying every competing vehicle. Is it a classy title? Not at all, but many of us have spent countless hours in front of the game, wreaking virtual gore with smiles on our faces (like the one there, just below).
Carmageddon for iOS is a universal app that will feature 28 opponents, 36 levels across 11 different environments, 30 playable cars that can be unlocked by victory or IAP, and an action-replay system that will allow you to savor your own bone-crushing savvy and share it directly to YouTube. The game utilizes touchscreen controls in the form of left / right, accelerator / brake buttons along the bottom of the display, with taps to reset and repair the vehicle and swipes to bring up a map and the replay system.
I’ve bloodied my tires quite a bit in the past day or so in the limited, free version of Carmageddon that will be launched along with the full, $1.99 title. Watching the hale of limbs and organs raining down upon vehicles engaged in flaming, head-on collisions on my iPad’s screen really takes me back to the fun of the original. And, despite the iPad’s lovely Retina display, the 3D visuals also evoke the feel of 1997 gaming, as the in-game textures appear to be pretty close to what was used 15 years ago, as does the poly count of the environment. Don’t get me wrong — the polys are sharp and the framerate is very high, but this is not a port that involved a completely new set of regenerated assets, as some were surely hoping it would be.
Having access only to the limited version of the game (just one car, just one map), I am obviously unable to fully assess Carmageddon for iOS right now, but I’ve had a lot of fun with this version, so far. While no date has been set, the full release is coming soon at a price of $1.99, and in keeping with their Kickstarter promise, Stainless Games will be offering Carmageddon for free for the first 24 hours of release. Stay tuned for a heads up when it lands.
Shiny.
Another five star review?! You guys are just giving these away now huh?!
#TouchArePaid
I hope everyone here knows I'm being sarcastic. But in all seriousness, this game is a lot of fun. Very polished, well worth the ten dimes it costs to pick this game up.
Alright... TA officially forgot how to review games.
Yep
Wow...three reviews on TouchArcade in 24 hours? Must be some pretty good time I guess in iOS gaming.
Ron Paul for president
Do some research on his personal beliefs. I'd personally rather not have a racist running the country... but maybe that's just me.
This game is slightly better than the original, which was awesome. Ninety-nine cents well spent, I say!
Been playing a little bit, but haven't seen any new condo types. Would've been nice to hear them described in this review. As it is, I just don't see what's been added other than IAPs and the elimination of a mode. The game doesn't do a good job of telling you about it's features. I blew all my free coins on dumb, expensive hats before I even realized there were boosts. I love the original MAMC, but I feel like I wasted money on this "update". I hope I'm wrong!
Read the tutorials, they explain all the condo types. They slowly get unlocked through the mission system, so at first there aren't any.
How did the words "painfully slow" appear in a five star review? What does it take to lose half a star?
You know, there are way more than two words in that review. Besides, giving a game full marks does not, and will never equate to the game being perfect. Why is that so difficult for people to understand?
I don't know, brother. I don't know...
I feel like if I knew the answer to that question I'd be better off putting my intelligence towards things like solving the world energy crisis.
Spot on!! Reviewing reviews is dumb, just move on guys!
Quick hint - if you purchased the Coin Doubler item, spin the wheel and win double coins next game AND hit the 5,000 spot on the wheel on the next game - you'd get 20k coins in one shot. The likelihood of it happening is low, but, the grinding is made less painfully slow with the Doubler in general.
I really like MAMC and PikPok in general, but this game is a HUGE disappointment. The IAP ruin the experience for me. While not technically "required" my options are grind a few games to gain enough coins to use my full allotment of powerups, or dump more money into IAP. Or play without powerups I guess (but then good luck getting a higher score those times).
Never again will I blindly buy a PikPok game.
I'll wait for it to go free, which it will, rather than pay for this "cash to score well" crap.
5 star for this time limit one game mode only, full of IAP, ruin of a wonderful game?
Seriously?!
At the end of the day it doesn't really matter and the review is in the writing but I do think that these 5 star reviews are pushing it a little. Although iOS games are perhaps more disposable as an artform than music if very average music by well respected reviewers started getting full marks then I would be annoyed as there's an element of trust and respect sometimes between reviewer and reviewee. Anyhows, no big shakes but you really are in danger of completely diluting 5 star reviews. I did like Gods of Blade though and it seems noone else did.
I think I have decoded the TA star system. I believe it translates as:
2 stars = bad
3 stars = mediocre
4 stars = awesome
5 stars = fecking awful
I dont like the sequel so much. Those goals are nice, but: Where is the Endless Mode?
How can you review a game that you clearly haven't played almost at all? The green monster boosts your score? We can even see you still getting tutorial tips from the first few matches.
Don't bother reviewing a game if you haven't played it much - bah.
What's meta about having a goal system? Seems like they're just trying to sound current by using it. Go look it up, or watch an episode of "Community". A goal system is actually pretty much the opposite-a pretty commonplace, cut and dry system.
I can't stop playing this game.
I still play this. So good!
http://www.youtube.com/watc...
Who play this super monster ate my condo game, he will know how much enjoyable this game is. And you let me help to level up with this game with a great review. This game is really good for the kids and so adult people.