Asphalt 8: Airborne is an arcade racing game from Gameloft that focuses on speed, stunts and spectacular crashes rather than realistic driving. You race licensed sports cars and motorbikes around tracks in cities, deserts, snowfields and other settings, using ramps and jumps to launch into the air. The game is not about careful simulation. It rewards boldness, with nitro boosts, barrel rolls and drifts that make each lap feel dramatic. It has been a popular racing title on mobile for many years.

How the racing works

Your car accelerates automatically in many control schemes, so you focus on steering, braking and using nitro. A tap on the nitro button gives you a sudden burst of speed, and filling the nitro bar by drifting, jumping or taking down rivals lets you use it more often. Opponents can be knocked off the road, and a successful takedown fills your nitro. Simple touch steering is the default, while tilt and button-based controls are options. The cars are grouped into classes that match different stages of the career.

Career and multiplayer

The career mode takes you through seasons of races with star ratings and rewards. There are also events with special rules, daily challenges and limited-time cars. Online multiplayer lets you race against other players, and leaderboards show your best times. These features require an internet connection, while parts of the career can be played offline depending on the version.

Cars and upgrades

Cars can be upgraded in stages by spending in-game currency, and each upgrade improves speed, acceleration or handling. Some of the best cars take a long time to earn and may be tempting to buy with real money. The game offers blueprint items and other collectable mechanics that work like a slow progression. If you do not want to spend, you can still enjoy the game, but progress may feel slower in later stages.

Tips for better results

Use drifts to build nitro early, and save it for straight sections or to catch up after a mistake. Take ramps at speed to perform barrel rolls, which give extra nitro. Do not collide with walls, since this slows the car. Study the track, because many have shortcuts. Play with headphones and a steady grip, and consider lowering graphics settings on an older device.

Size, ads and purchases

The game is large and needs plenty of storage and a good connection to download extra data. It is free to download and includes optional purchases and some advertising. Review the store listing for current details, and set purchase limits if children play.

Who it suits

It suits players who like fast arcade racing, stunts and collecting cars. It is less suitable for people who prefer realistic driving. Younger children should be supervised because of spending prompts and online features.