It seems no matter what kind of system is launching, Ubisoft and Gameloft are on standby with some version of its long-standing Asphalt racing series.  Not that there’s anything wrong with having an arcade racer on hand, especially one where you can ram into opponents and send them crashing to a halt, Burnout-style.  But it almost seems like the development of these games has become by the numbers, wherein going for a fresh approach would’ve been more welcome.  Alas, Asphalt Injection doesn’t do that, and so it stands as an “average” pick for the system’s launch today.

In the game, you’re able to choose between two primary modes.  One will take you through the steps of a racing career, starting in the lowly League Qualifiers and eventually getting your way to Asphalt Legends, while racing top-tier cars and dodging the cops every which way in-between.  The second has you competing against friends online through the PlayStation Network.  And that’s…really about it.

Not that the Career mode is a dull place to be.  There are a number of events here, from outrunning the law at every turn (they give you a fair amount of turns before finally arresting you – must be a non-governed police force) to smashing the likes of Bugattis and Ferraris into scrap metal, merely by running them off the road.  This game doesn’t nearly have the destructive impact of Criterion’s Burnout games, but considering we haven’t had a new one of those in a while, we’ll take what we can get.

Each racing event consists of starting in the back (way in the back – opponents seem to have turbo boosters) and eventually catching up, using a triple tier boost system, shortcuts (some of which are actually quite cool) and bonus speed boosts to eventually get to first.  The AI doesn’t rubber band much in this one, so by the time you do score the lead, it’s pretty much smooth sailing.  Just make sure you watch out for incoming traffic.  If you don’t boost your way through it, you’re wrecked.

The game features a fairly high amount of licensed cars, including BMW’s, Fords and even a DeLorean for those who think they’re still driving a time machine.  But they all handle about the same, with good turning capability and somewhat iffy drifting which can usually send you careening into a wall if you’re not careful.  You just have to get used to the system that Gameloft has in place here.

About the Author

Robert Workman

Senior Writer/Editor

Robert has years of experience in the video game industry, writing for such sites as AOL GameDaily, PlanetXbox360 and Comic Book Resources.  He can also outdrink you any day of the week.  And twice on Sunday.  Follow him at www.twitter.com/thedcd.