Space Ribbon - Slipstream to the Extreme

[h1]Experienced on the Oculus Rift with Xbox 360 controller[/h1] I actually got this game as a "mystery game" included in a bundle. I was excited because it had VR and I wanted to test it out. However, I was not impressed as I didn't play it for more than 10 minutes. Today, I see that the game is officially released and now I'm looking at the game with fresh eyes, it it worth $9.99? No. I mean it could be worth that much with some tweaks and if you have friends to play local multiplayer with. This is not a bad game per se (at this price range). It just isn't very good because it seems like it didn't focus on the racing arcade fun or mayhem that is normal with this type of racer. This is not Mario Kart and it's not Sonic Racing, it's several notches below those racers. This is a technical, arcade racer where you can modify the game options to make the racing suit your preferences. By default, the game starts on easy with heavy rubber-banding and slip-streaming. I highly recommend you change those settings so it's normal difficulty (much better AI & faster movement) and turn off rubber-banding. I have yet to meet a single person who enjoys rubber-banding. The slip stream can only be changed in the free racing mode, not in the campaign so you're stuck with it in campaign mode. You [b]may[/b] also want to change gravity to high so that your vehicle doesn't end up twisting in the air after a fast bump. With evenly matched cars and high gravity and no slip-streaming, the game does feel a little bit like a bumper car madness. Campaign mode starts out fairly straight-forward, but it does get pretty difficult (even on normal difficulty) after the first few championship races. You'll have to unlock championships, but it's not always clear how to unlock several of those championships. Obviously, winning first place is usually the answer, but you can get over-levelled for some races with some upgrades to your vehicle. And for some strange reason, championship #6 is listed before 5 and I managed to unlock it by getting an upgrade which was never explained. The problem with that is that you'll have to replay championships just to make sure you finish 1st on all stages of that race. Luckily, there is free mode that is basically the same except all the races are unlocked. However, you still have to play campaign mode to unlock certain upgrades and such. There was one psychedelic variant called Cosmic Cup which felt like you are racing while tripping on shrooms. It was really, really trippy. I recommend anyone play that track before reviewing the full game as it may change your opinion of the game. May even make the game worth full retail price for some. Did I have fun? Yes, there were moments of fun. But I also had several frustrating moments. I honestly believe the default modes of this game just suck. Nobody likes being in front and seeing several cars behind you that you know are going to pass you and there's nothing you can do about it (other than to slow down or brake to let them pass you so you have enough time to slip stream in front of them again!). There's also nothing fun about being bumped out of the edge of the track and flipped around high above the track and then land facing the wrong way. I don't get VR nausea, but it may make other people puke. [b]Rating 5.5/10. I've seen this game as low as .99 cents and at that price I would highly recommend it. However, at the normal price of $9.99 or $6.49, I can only give a neutral recommendation (and I'm being generous there!). There's some things to like and some ways to tweak the game to make it more enjoyeable, but the default core part of the game is pretty bland.[/b]

I got this on sale for a dollar after reading some good reviews. In VR, it is certainly intense, and not for those with weak stomachs! The graphics are good - especially the trippy winding ribbon track concept. I’m about half an hour in, just getting into the weapons, and scoring some upgrades for my cars. The (up to four player) split screen is a welcome surprise – I was expecting this to be a solo game, but it’s fun for couch gaming parties, works well using Steam controllers. Solid game, and certainly worth my dollar! Thumbs: UP!

Not Recommended

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If you dare tap the drift button, your car instantly does a 180.

Meh! I got it because it's VR racing for cheap. Bad camera tracking is the biggest drawback with this one. There is still fun to be had but it's not as fun as it could've been. Maybe it good enough for you for the price, but it's not right for me.

Fair warning this game can make you motion sick if you play in VR and are not accustomed to playing that much in VR

NOTE: this not-recommended review is based on the VR mode. This is basically the first VR game that gave me motion sickness. I don't know exactly what it was that caused it, but I couldn't even complete a 3rd round of a race in the easy mode. Maybe the fact that the car position is not static to my head/view? Maybe too much moving around in space? (I wouldn't think so, I played eve valkyrie with no problems). I have no idea what caused motion sickness, but I'd think there's something very odd with this game, as I've played different VR games with different movement mechanics and had no problems. If it wasn't for that, the graphics are pretty cool and the feel of is was enjoyable. Audio seemed a bit repetitive. I can't attest for or against fun factor, I didn't have the chance to play with many AIs or online and explore all the cars and powerups and whatnot. It looks like it has lots of potential, and I was really excited to explore this game. Unfortunately, it won't happen I guess. :(

Die Idee des Spiels ist Super, endlose generierte Strecken durch den Weltraum.. Geil!... LEIDER lässt die Umsetzung sehr zu wünschen übrig.. z.B: Overpowered Windschatten, das Driften ist auch ein kompletter Witz.. die Autos sind sehr langsam wenn man nicht gerade im Windschatten fährt, was man auf Dauer auch nicht schafft da die Bots nur wie irre hin und her bouncen... Wenn man in führung ist und auch keine Gegner in der nähe sind wird das Auto bei Vollgas immer schneller, langsamer, schneller, langsamer, schneller, langsamer, schneller, langsamer, schneller, langsamer, usw... Das Game wäre cool, wenn man auf diesen dämlichen Windschatten verzichtet hätte und man normal die Strecke runterracen könnte.. aber leider nein.. man kanns nedmal ausschalten.. habs für 0,63€ gekauft, war auch noch zu teurer.. Sollte es einen Teil 2 des Spiels geben dann bitte OHNE WINDSCHATTEN BOOST und OHNE DRIFT!! Einfach nur racen, das sind die besten spiele!

Unique racing game, consisting of getting ahead of your oponnent's cars by feeling the flow of the wind. This racing game is not for any person. The game must be understood and the player must know how to get speed by feeling the wind to win a race.