Riptide GP: Renegade (PlayStation 4) Second Opinion Review

Set in a future where jet-skis are considered the go-to choice for racing events, Riptide GP: Renegade is a racing game none too different from other titles of this genre. In each of the three main modes, consisting of career, quick race, or split-screen and online multiplayer, players will race, flip, and boost on futuristic watercraft in an effort to reach the top spot. Career follows a racer named Impact, who is revoked of his title after a friend of his, Krex, sets him up and gets him arrested for unauthorised racing. After some time in jail, Impact, with the help of another friend named Poison, decides to get back into the circuit and defeat each of the title champions, with the hopes of getting a chance at revenge on Krex.

Story mode acts as a great gateway into what the game is all about: racing and stunts. Every track is filled with various ramps and other devices that can be used to get up into the air, which allows racers to perform different tricks with the analogue sticks. Doing so earns boost, and how much is earned depends on how advanced the trick is, as crazier techniques means higher amounts of speed. The selection of tracks, while small, is creative, with races taking place in scenic parks, ruins of a forgotten city, and sky mines littered with plentiful opportunities to catch huge air.

Besides the standard races, there are also stunt challenges, slalom trials, and eliminations races; performing well in either of these will earn cash and XP. Cash can be used to upgrade jet-skis in different categories, such as acceleration, top speed, and handling; meanwhile, experience can allow racers to level up, which gives skill points that can be used to unlock special bonuses or new tricks to perform. Career also features several side missions that involve different characters Impact and Poison meet, and these can be helpful when trying to earn extra dough.

Riptide GP: Renegade is fun and does a great job at capturing the thrill and exhilaration of racing, with little touches such as water droplets on the screen from too much splashing and active backgrounds adding to the intensity of it all. However, the AI racers can derail the entertainment from time to time. They're not dumb; on the contrary, they are quite intelligent, but not in a good way. Instead of making the races more engaging, they make them frustrating to complete, as they can easily leave gamers in the dust through any and all slip-ups.