Last month we took a look at Naquatic's Touch Ski 3D, an iPhone touch-screen skiing game that we found to be a very well done, simple title with an interesting control mechanic. At both its initial $0.99 and $2.99 regular price, it represented a solid value and was a great ticket for on-the-go fun on the slopes.
The California-based, two-brother team has just released a huge update to the already great title: Touch Ski 3D v2.0 [App Store]. And, while the first release was really two games in one (slalom downhill and ski jump), this new version brings a whole lot more to the table, while maintaining the excellent feel of the original.
It features 42 course and 7 game modes across 4 difficulty levels – triple the content of the original:
- Four Freestyle Trick Parks
- Sixteen Race Courses
- Sixteen Slalom Courses
- Four Tight Slalom Courses
- Distance Ski Jump
- Freestyle Trick Ski Jump
- Ski School Training Mode
Touch Ski 3D makes use of the iPhone's multitouch capabilities by providing individual ski control — one finger per ski. When the skis are held parallel (about one inch apart), the score counter glows green and it's full speed down the slope, but when they're held either together or apart, travel down the mountain slows. In Distance Ski Jump mode, at lift-off, the skis are held in a "V"-formation to maximize air travel.
A variety of in-air tricks have been added, including: Rocket Air, Japan Air, Daffy, Spread Eagle, and Spins (360, 720, 1080, 1440…). These are carried out by swiping and tap-holding the screen's quadrants, while aloft. Combinations bring the most points.
The game is visually well done and offers a surprisingly realistic "feel" (if skiing down a slope with two fingers can be called "realistic") with a nice lean and sway to the motion, thanks to the game's Bullet Physics Engine and high overall framerate (as tested on iPhone 3G and 2G iPod touch). An online scoreboard adds an extra incentive to become master of the slopes.
To mark this significant update, Naquatic has lowered the price of the game to $0.99 for a limited time, making it one of the very best values in the App Store. We urge anyone who finds the following v2.0 demonstration video appealing to take the plunge. This really is one not to be missed.
(A free, lite version of Touch Ski 3D [App Store] exists, but is currently still a v1.0 release. A lite v2.0 update will be in the App Store shortly.)
