Lane Splitter: Putting The Race In Your Hands, And The Cake On The Line

Lane Splitter, by developer fractiv, is an iOS mainstay that has finally landed on more Android-oriented shores. The app is available for free in the Android Market, bringing the same accelerometer-based gameplay iPhone users know and love to the Google-verse. The game is fun, fast-paced, and bloody hard, creating an incredible cocktail that any fan of tunnel racers will enjoy.
Concept and Gameplay
 Lane Splitter
The idea behind Lane Splitter is nothing new, though the presentation (which is top-notch) certainly is: The game is essentially a souped-up tunnel racer, letting users play as a motorcyclist who must swerve to avoid traffic as he races to his wedding. Instead of side-scrolling, though—as a classic tunnel racer would—Lane Splitter puts the action in top-down 3D perspective. Players watch their toon zip toward other cars, and must tilt their phones to keep him from smashing into any unpleasant accidents. It’s great fun, and the added wheelie element is a tremendous addition: Users can tap the screen to make their character wheelie, increasing speed and decreasing stability while earning more points. All in all, the concept is as solid as the remake of a classic genre should be.
That being said, the gameplay can be bloody difficult. The game offers two control settings (novice and pro) but I found myself using the lesser of the two more often, as the professional mode was simply too touchy. This was most noticeable when I was in a wheelie, as my character would shoot off into walls with only the slightest provocation. Thankfully, setting things to novice evened out the difficulty, and made the game much more enjoyable. This is likely another example of my lack of “mad skillz,” as well, so take things as you will.
Design and Graphics
No matter what can be said about the gameplay, Lane Splitter looks absolutely gorgeous on Android. The game features a smooth 3D art style that fits the concept nicely. Models were blocky but not pixelated, while the physic engine at work here is top-notch. There’s nothing cooler than diving through several lanes of traffic, or smoothly swerving around a car in your way. All in all, the game looks brilliant. That being said, integration with a service like OpenFeint would have been nice, that way the achievements found in the iOS edition could have made the train over to Android.
Overall Value
Considering Lane Splitter won’t cost you a dime, there’s no reason not to give the app a test drive. The gameplay is fast-paced, madly addictive, and difficult to the max. If you’re looking for a white-knuckle thriller to add to your Android device, look no further: This app has your lanes covered.