Windows Phone Game Review: 3D Boat Race

While the Xbox Windows Phone game Hydro Thunder GO may be tops as far as boat racing goes, 3D Boat Race hopes to offer an alternative boat racing challenge.

3D Boat Race has three game modes, two steering options and you can customize the colors of your racing boat. The game has potential but Hydro Thunder fans shouldn't be too worried just yet.

3D Boat Race's three game modes include Arcade Racing (slalom course that is timed), Simulation Racing (same game but more challenging) and Boat Stunts. Boats Stunts is simply a free form game where you power your boat around an obstacle course of jumps, loops, and exploding balls that float around the arena.  

The Boat Stunts mode is fun but grows old quick.  If it had some sort of objective maybe it would have a little more staying power.  Say... earn points for your stunts and see how high a score you can earn in two minute?  It just need something to keep you interested other than just jumping around the race course.

Game control choices include a virtual joystick or using your Windows Phone accelerometer. Game controls do take a little time to get used to (accelerometer works the best) and you'll probable grit your teeth and mutter "shut the front door" several times while you get used to things.

Game play with 3D Boat Race has potential but you race a clock, as opposed to other boats. You do have multiple views and one hundred different tracks to choose from but it would be nice to race against actual opponents.  The other knock I have is the game's orientation.  3D Boat Race operates in portrait or vertical orientation.  It would be better if you could rotate things horizontally to have a wider field of view for the race course.

While there is room for improvement, 3D Boat Race isn't a terrible game to have around for short bits of time but I don't see playing the game for marathon sessions. The nice thing about it all is that 3D Boat Race is a free, ad supported game and it won't break the bank to give it a try.

You can find 3D Boat Race here at the Windows Phone Store.

George Ponder

George is the Reviews Editor at Windows Central, concentrating on Windows 10 PC and Mobile apps. He's been a supporter of the platform since the days of Windows CE and uses his current Windows 10 Mobile phone daily to keep up with life and enjoy a game during down time.