Using music to make your own gaming environments isn’t a new idea, as players familiar with the PlayStation cult classic Vib-Ribbon will be able to attest. However, Riff Racer, which has just hit iOS after being released on Windows PC last year, might be the first game to apply this compelling idea to the racing genre.
With Vib-Ribbon, you would put your own music into the game by, when prompted, opening the PlayStation’s CD compartment and replacing the game disc with an audio CD. With Riff Racer, it’s more simple – with a tap, the game can convert any music track from its own Apple Music playlists or your iTunes library into a… racing track! The music will play in the background as you literally race it.
You only have to look at our screenshots to see that the visual result is gorgeous. The Tron-like, neon world can look especially sumptuous as you make increasing use of speed boosts – and, when not racing, you can spend the in-game currency on extra vehicles and customizing those vehicles.
For the first few solid hours of playing, you are likely to find experimenting with different music hugely enjoyable. In the longer term, however, it’d probably be best to lessen the frequency of your playing; that way, the freshness of the concept can linger for longer. In the iOS App Store, Riff Racer is currently available for the “limited time launch discount” price of $0.99 – so, grab it sooner rather than later.
