simulation seems like something that’s only been prominent in gaming
for the past few years. In reality, it just sneaked up on us. Before
the often comical advent of ragdoll physics and destructible
environments, physics took more modest yet important roles in places
like Mario’s jump. Certain games (like artillery games)
relied on physics to practically be the game itself. Still, we were
probably too distracted by “killing” our friends with absurd weapons
and bizarre explosions to consciously appreciate the physics involved.
Now games proudly flaunt complex realtime physics simulation, featuring
objects that move and bounce with realistic weight and gravity. Now
physics often earns a back-of-the-box bullet point.
Space Bikers is a 2.5D
physics-based action platformer game for iPhone/Touch that let’s you
play with various bouncy motorbikes on not-so-easily-traversed
landscapes. The premise is cute and simple. A group of tiny space
aliens (each about the size of a soda can) crash-land their ship on
earth and must use their motorbikes to navigate a human neighborhood,
collecting supplies and parts to repair their ship. The only obstacle
is the (comparatively) huge items strewn around the human homes and
yards. There’s no timer (unless you’re playing the unlockable quick
race mode) and no enemies. You simply need to collect all the parts in
each level. The game is essentially a clone of the PC games, Action SuperCross and Elasto Mania. Space Bikers
differs from those games, featuring 3D graphics, a storyline, and
mini-games. Unfortunately, it lacks their online play and ability to
use custom levels. I found the mandatory after-level mini-games to feel
tacked-on and annoying but, thankfully, they’re pretty easy.
The game utilizes the always risky onscreen buttons. This is usually
pretty cumbersome as onscreen buttons lack any sort of tactility. The
good news is that the buttons are placed well enough, and the game is
slow-paced enough to allow this control method to work fairly well. In
addition, the button placement is configurable (although there’s no
option to reset to the default placement!) and you can activate use of
the accelerometer (not always reliable but works pretty well) for
tilting and flipping your bike, forward and backward. It’s a bit odd,
as the bikes tilt in set degree increments rather than smoothly (so
tilting only a few degrees isn’t possible). I would have prefered the
bikes to be tiltable as little or as much as I wanted (possibly using
the accelerometer), but the existing system works well enough.
For a game that places such importance on physics, Space Bikers
actually does an impressive job with its physics engine. The physics
are quite consistent and I was regularly able to do complex maneuvers
with little trouble. However, the engine does feature some problems.
The shocks on the bike have no actual solidity so you can actually
manage to get a wheel caught under a plank your on, while the rest of
the bike remains on top. In addition, the alien riders have physics as
well, which allows them to bounce and fall off (causing you to restart
from the last checkpoint) realistically. This was sometimes
problematice as I would occaisionally crash into something, causing the
rider’s neck to hit first, and their head would actually be pulled off!
I’m fairly certain it was a bug and it seemed completely unintentional.
Since this is an otherwise kid-friendly game, I hope they fix it.
Space Bikers is a cute and fun little game that manages to be
kid-friendly and challenging yet fair. The atmosphere and music of the
game does come off as a bit generic, but it’s not without its charm.
The gameplay can be a little buggy but it’s fairly easy to avoid.
Overall, it’s a good (albeit somewhat unimaginative) game with enough
fun to be had to make its current sale price of $0.99 USD (usually
$1.99 USD?) worth the investment. The publisher, Chillingo, also
publishes another Elasto Mania clone called Bike Or Die 2 ($6.99 USD). There are “lite” (demo) versions of both, so you can try both.
Where do you guys coming up with the rhymes? I like to see the LOW priced iphone games.
Looks like the Rugrats. I hope Nickelodeon isn’t sue happy.
Motorcycle plays very similar as does the Bike or Die game that was mentioned.
Motorcycle is probably the most fun of all these.
Just bought it, thanks TideGear!
The glitches seem more amusing than frustrating, which is nice.
Sounds fun. I assume you collect the cherries in the game.
So the game doesn’t use tilt control or have that option?
I just played it alot, and the framerate is pretty quick, much better than most games of the sort. For 99 cents, this is a steal!
People on the fence, try this!
Great review.
Name reminds me of Biker Mice from Mars.
This is an interesting little game, I won’t buy it though.
Jeez, did you read the damn review?
Yeah, glitches are fun. NOT!
This iphone games are looking PS1 quality now. I need to get a Touch at least.
Sorry, it says for “tilting and flipping your bike” i meant for total control.
I’ve stopped playing my DS after the iphone has given me my gaming fix.
Anyone notice how some many iphone games are laid back? this one and that new Glyder game sure have a chill feeling.
You guys keep pushing those reviews for 99 cent games. It makes me wonder if its worth it.
I think the regular price is $2.99, not $1.99
No problem! Yeah, the tilt can only adjust the bikes` angle.
These 99 cent iphone games are making me cheap. Now, I have a hard time paying more than $10 for a console game release.
I like the way the controls are big, for those of us with hamfists.
I bought this for my son, but I ended it playing it too.
Bought this today. I’m loving it so far.
When the axle falls off, I always laugh…
looks interesting and for $.99 you cant go wrong.