Vector Unit’s Riptide GP 2 will bring fond memories of Wave
Race and Hydro Thunder flooding back almost immediately. Too bad this game isn’t as good as they
were, though. Riptide GP 2 plays fairly
well and you can’t complain much about the $7 price tag, but the slow grind of
progression and obvious mobile roots make it a tough sell. See our full review for more.Game Details
- Publisher: Vector Unit
- Developer: Vector Unit
- ESRB Rating: “E” for Everyone
- Genre: Racing
- Pros: Solid gameplay; great soundtrack; 6-player local multi; price
- Cons: Very slow progression; brutal A.I.; only looks OK
- MSRP: $7
Riptide GP 2 is a jet ski-based racing game where you tear
around closed water courses similar to the Wave Race series or Hydro
Thunder. Modes include a solo career
mode as well as an asynchronous multiplayer “VR Challenge” mode where you
compete with friends for leaderboard times.
There is also up to 6-player local splitscreen multiplayer, but no
standard online multiplayer.
The career mode progression can only be described as slow
and grindy, unfortunately. Each event
awards you up to 3 stars, and you need to accumulate X# of stars to progress to
the next series of events. It is set up
so that you pretty much need to win every event in order to make progress. That is easier said than done, though,
because the A.I. is absolutely brutal and extremely difficult. At least, it is difficult until you earn
enough cash to upgrade your machine, at which point you blow past everyone and
win easily. Earning that much cash
requires you to grind away at events over and over again getting 3rd
place or worse until you can upgrade, win, and move on, though, which gets old
pretty fast.
It is a shame the career progression is such a grind because
the actual gameplay itself is pretty solid.
Controls are limited to simply gas, brake, and steering – it was a
mobile game, after all – but they work well.
You can also perform tricks while in the air, either off of jumps or
just from big waves, which gives you boost you can use during the race. The wave physics deserve praise as they are
really well done. No doubt about it,
the racing is fun here, and feeling the immediate difference in how the game
plays after you buy upgrades is pretty darn satisfying. If only it wasn’t such a grind to get
there.
Visually, Riptide GP 2’s mobile roots shine through a little
too darkly. It looks OK, but definitely
won’t impress anyone. The water does
look pretty decent, though. The sound
is slightly better with a pretty awesome soundtrack.
Overall, Riptide GP 2 won’t blow anyone away, but for $7 it
is a pretty decent little racing game.
It’s also the only water-based racer on Xbox One, which definitely
counts for something. If you’re
desperate to do some wave racing on Xbox One, and can learn to enjoy the grind
through career, Riptide GP 2 is worth a look.
If all that sounds frustrating and tedious, though, move along with no
regrets.
Disclosure: Review code was provided by publisher.
