Title: Asphalt Legends Unite (formerly Asphalt 9: Legends)
Type of Game: Racing
Developer: Gameloft
Publisher: Gameloft
Released: February 26, 2018
Platforms Available: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, iOS, Android
Platform Reviewed: PC
Level of Maturity: Everyone 10+
Reading Time: 6 minutes

Arcade Racing Reborn

The era of frantic arcade racing is almost gone by now. Games like Forza Horizon and The Crew Motorfest may have taken the lead in this gaming area. Still, as gamers, we miss the days of sliding our Ferrari F50 around corners at just the right angles, with a first or second-generation Sony console sitting on the shelf next to the TV, pumping blood through our veins under insane pressure, providing the perfect atmosphere. Asphalt Legends Unite, which came out a week or so ago on PlayStation 5, would be criminal to compare to classics of decades past, such as 2006’s OutRun, which I experienced (though certainly not at the original time of release per se). Still, it’s probably the closest comparison I could find to the PS5 of today.

Free-to-Play Frenzy: The Microtransaction Minefield

The first major thing I’d start with is one big and hard-to-overlook negative (unsurprisingly): this is a free-to-play game, so there are loot boxes, card packs, microtransactions, and more at every turn. New cars are unlocked by collecting cards and earning duplicates to increase their stats, like Disney Speedstorm. You’re also limited by the petrol tank, which does regenerate over time. Still, you want to play for a long time. In that case, you need to have more cars because you can’t use the same one over and over, which, of course, also tempts you to pay for some of it from your actual wallet with bonus currency to refill that all-important petrol immediately if you don’t want to wait.

Gameplay That Defies Gravity

Now, on the other hand, for what you will surely enjoy. On the other hand, the gameplay is outstanding, at least by the standards of pure, unadulterated arcades. Tracks like San Francisco and the Himalayas are (in a good way) ridiculously oversaturated, with one race having you sprinting down a mountain. At the same time, hot air balloons fly above you. It captures that beloved nostalgia of “old school” titles. It’s not over the top, but the game won’t leave you sitting comfortably in your chair. Despite including real cars, the game defies physics quite a bit. Double-tapping the handbrake button will allow your car to rotate 360 degrees. You can pair this with a ramp, effectively spinning you in the air before landing. These tricks, including the classic drift, complement the vital turbo that often decides who gets to the finish line first. Tapping the button for a more robust version of the extra power at the right time for “Perfect Nitro” will also add extra speed.

Tracks That Keep You Coming Back

As for the tracks above, while there aren’t many of them, they still manage to keep you entertained over and over again due to the absurd scenes that keep happening and the intense pace of the game. The car upgrade system is traditionally straightforward but adequate for a mobile game. You need to use the car often and gradually grind it out. The career, which is probably the most comprehensive part of the game, is in the spirit of constantly unlocking more and more repetitive race combinations, which are searched in about 10 identical locations. However, this is compensated by the pace mentioned above and the races’ intensity. Again, there’s quite a variety of tricks you’ll be performing across the races on your opponents. The repetitiveness will slap you in the face, but you’ll go through all the amazing action with hardly any real feeling.

Sonic Bliss which Steals the Show

Before the actual verdict, I’d like to mention Asphalt Legends Unite’s soundtrack, which is simply perfect and atmospheric and will suck you into an already frantic pace. Every song in the game is well-chosen and fits the game perfectly. We’re certainly not a fan of music from recent years, but here the music simply suited my taste. Rock, pop, and rap are the most represented here. No one genre overpowers another here; everything is balanced, specifically rap, which I generally don’t like. It was also excellent here, and I enjoyed it. No vulgarisms or anything like that. Just and only decent music. The music has become my favorite aspect of the game, which still keeps me glued to the monitor despite the overall traditional, straightforward mobile game concept, which I’m not used to as a regular PlayStation gamer. It’s a shame that the latest titles in the Need for Speed series don’t have this kind of music. The game world would be a more beautiful place right away.

The Final Lap

The monetization may put off a lot of gamers. Still, the free-to-play format means anyone can jump in and enjoy the sheer absurdity of some tracks and cars. It’s a very action-packed, intense, and utterly absurd gameplay experience with phenomenal music that’s designed to be played in relatively short bursts, so if you’re craving something silly, simple, and utterly over-the-top to play after a grueling day at work, there aren’t many better options on the PS5. Sometimes, all a game needs is simple albeit silly fun, and Asphalt Legends Unite offers precisely that. I was initially going to give the game 70% at best, but the music of this game won me over, so finally, the rating is a little higher. Feel free to lynch me for this, but I stand by it! Now, if you’ll excuse me, I will move on.
Rating: 75%

Where to Buy Asphalt 9: Legends

Steam (PC): Available for free. You can download it directly from Steam.

Xbox Store (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S): Available for free. Check it out on the Xbox Store.

PlayStation Store (PS4, PS5): Available for free. You can find it on the PlayStation Store.

App Store (iOS): Available for free. Download it from the App Store.

Google Play (Android): Available for free. Purchase it from Google Play.

Epic Games Store (PC): Available for free. Purchase it from the Epic Games Store.

Official Page: Visit the official Asphalt 9: Legends page for more information.

Subreddit: Join the discussion on the Asphalt 9 Subreddit.

Weplaygames.net Youtube Channel: Asphalt Legends Unite Camaro LT Spinning

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