Drive Ahead for iPhone

Perfectly exciting accidents!

A fantastic little arena 1-on-1 game that allows both players to enjoy its vs. car combat on a single device, DoDreams's Drive Ahead! is an unexpected treat.

Two button tactics

Accelerate and reverse are your only options as you square off against the AI or player controlled opponent in this vehicular combat game. Viewed from a side, the action takes place on a 2D plane as you and your opponent are thrown into a mix of single screen arenas in a best-of-9 battle.

Sometimes you find yourself surrounded by buzzing saw blades or endless drops with the only real "tactic" being to power forward and hope for the best. Other arenas, however, see you able to loop-the-loop over your opponent's head to gain the advantage.

Despite all of the various ways you can smash into your opponent's machine, your goal is just to tap their head… or to "encourage" them to smack their own noggin into something. Take too long and a sudden death mode will activate, showering you with fireballs, submerging the arena in water, or lowering blades down on to your tiny drivers.

A randomized retro romp

Sounding fun so far? Well, add dozens of vehicles and a random mode that constantly cycles through different cars for each driver. This can see you start atop rickety scaffolding in a go-cart and an ambulance (which will shed its patient behind it when tipped), or with a monster truck tackling an F-1 car on an oval track that lets you reverse to leap over your opponent.

It is amazing fun in short bursts – made all the better by the stylized 16- bit visuals. Each machine is stunningly designed, with arenas that perfectly evoke titles like Super Off-Road. It isn't just retro though, as the game will also continue to show previous rounds on the arena's big screen TV that is always visible above the crowd in the background. I love this use of visual design that keeps modern elements, while capturing a nostalgic era.

It's a keeper

Drive Ahead!'s games are fast and intense fun, with 2D physics that are just about fair enough to let you feel skillful while still introducing enough random chaos to ensure every game is different. You may not want to play for hours at a time, but it’s one of those games you will happily keep on your device so you can jump into with your friends.