App review: Aircoaster 3D for iPhone

Aircoaster has been around since the start of last year and has seen several significant updates so far, each dramatically improving what was already a stunning application.

It started off as a random rollercoaster generator where you could set a few parameters but were basically cast as a spectator, then a track editor arrived and now a basic game-mode. Whichever option you choose, you can ride your creation through a dozen 3D environments from Ocean Sunset to the eye-boggling Red Dawn or download thousands of tracks created by other players, some of which are little short of stunning.

The latest update includes a smoother frame-rate and support for the 3GS’s magnetometer compass for perspective positioning. Once this Sensor Mode is turned on, you can simply move the device to around to look up, down, left or right as you’re travelling. If you don’t have the latest iPhone, you can still look around by swiping the screen.

Perhaps less successful is the new Game Mode which relies on popping balloons as you hurtle down the track to accumulate points. It’s a fairly primitive affair that doesn’t really do the engine justice, but it’s another sign of a developer keen to add new features with every update.

And then, there’s the track editor – which is easily the most complex part of the game and takes a while to fully appreciate all the complexities. Master it, however, and you can customise just about every aspect of the ride, from turns to inclines and gravity itself.

You can also customise the soundtrack, playing tracks from your own music library or simply leave it to the screams and whoops of fellow passengers. With graphics to die for and a level of innovation and technical skill rarely seen on a handheld, Aircoaster 3D marks out Ziconic as a developer to watch.

Price: £0.59
Verdict: 9/10

Popularity: 1% [?]