Hydro Thunder was an old 90s arcade game that was later ported to the Sega Dreamcast, PSOne and N64. 11 years later a remake has been made and is available to download via the Xbox LIVE Marketplace. The remake promises to deliver new gaming modes and revamped graphics for the HD era of console gaming.
Hydro Thunder Hurricane is remake of the original game but can an old game still be fun today? Have the graphics really All this and more as we take a look at the HOTs and NOTs.
HOTs
Graphics
Some remakes of old games usually don’t deliver in the looks department. RayStorm HD was another Xbox LIVE remake of an old arcade game that failed to look HD. Thankfully, Hydro Thunder Hurricane actually has graphics more befitting of this generation. The water effects are realistic and the environments you race llok bright and crisp. Most of the levels you race in are dense jungles or treacherous caverns. It is also great to mention that rocks and other obstacles are littered throughout the level and are fully destructible. The special effects in this game are all top notch.
Gamplay
Gameplay is easy for anyone to pick and play. It’s like playing the WipeOut games only that you’re on water. The best thing about racing is the ability for you to pick up “Boost”. This is like having NOS for a car as it makes your vehicle go faster. It can be very fun boosting your way to victory or jumping on a huge ramp to get some major hang-time. You can even jump over your opponents if they’re in you way. Better still, you can draft behind them to gain speed if jumping becomes too chaotic for you.
Level Design
As aforementioned, the levels look awesome but they’re also varied. Most racing games will have you race in one linear path. The majority of the game is played like this but there are certain points on a race track that you can collect items to open gates or ramps where you can collect more “Boost” icons or other shortcuts to help you come first. This is great especially during time trial events.
Multiplayer
This game allows you to play both offline and online multiplayer. The offline multiplayer is a throwback to the old days as there the option to play with up four player in classic split-screen action. Although, it may be a little hard to at times there’s an achievement you can earn just by doing this. All you and your friends have to do is try and come first, second, third and fouth in a race.
Longevity
You can expect to play this game for more than a couple hours. In order to unlock every boat, track and race type you’ll have to earn a certain amount of points to unlock them. It is in your best interest to finish on the podium so you can get enough points to pass the next quota to unlock aforesaid items. It can be quite addictive especially if you want to get a new race track.
NOTs
No weapons
Unlike in the WipeOut series you can collect items to shoot your opponents. The only collectibles available are “boost” icons and icons to open new gate and ramps on a level. The game would have been a little more fun if you’re able to missiles at your enemies. Even Mario Kart and Crash Team Racing and this ability.
A bit repetitive
As I said before, there are a certain amount of points you need to unlock to get new boats and race tracks. Sometimes you can expect to race the same tracks over and over again in order to get the points you need to unlock new stuff. It can be very repetitive just playing through the same tracks.
VERDICT
Hydro Thunder Hurricane is a surprisingly fun game that is sure to please any arcade racing fan. The graphics are great and the gameplay is fun especially with a few friends. Although the game can be a little repetitive and the lack of any wepaons and hinder some of the fun factor of the game. Nevertheless, if you’re into some old-school arcade action look no further than this game.
