Air Hockey Speed, a fun, fast paced Android app, from developer Hyperkani is free arcade style air hockey game adapted over to the Android Platform. Updated version 1.08 allows for tweaking of settings for the puck trail and changing the victory conditions for the single player mode.
Gameplay
The game is a very straightforward digital version of table air hockey that has been enjoyed for decades off the screen. Air Hockey Speed playable in either a two player or single player mode. Single player mode pits the user against a computer-controlled blue mallet to see who can get five points first. You use your finger to glide your red mallet around the table and direct the puck into the goal or you can ricochet the puck off the walls to achieve the same end. The cpu-controlled puck becomes more adept at blocking the players attempts and scoring on the player as they rise through the levels. Two player mode is essentially the same but with the second person taking control of the blue mallet and adding a new degree of difficulty. The main complaint with game play is the fact that the mallet lags and when you make contact with the puck it can sometimes cause your finger to overshoot the puck and consequently send it back into your own goal.
Classic tabletop style gameplay
Graphical Layout
Air Hockey Speed has a very simple and basic graphical design. It yields two different colored mallets with a black puck on a realistic looking table, white with black pinholes and the typical hockey ice rink layout, the different face off zones and center, all rimmed with a red table. The puck has a trail that follows it for fraction of a second to make tracking it simpler and also show the pucks speed. The look and feel of the game could have been enhanced with different color variations, flashing lights, etc. The current graphics definitely do the job but it would be nice to be able to go into settings and adjust the look and feel of the table as the current settings become bland after playing for a while.
Sounds
Air Hockey Speed has basic sounds of the puck being hit when the player makes contact with the mallet and also a tinny ringing sound when a goal is scored. All are authentic sounding and sound like a real air hockey table. Still, that’s about it-not a whole lot more to add to the sounds and effects of this little Android game.
Value
Air Hockey Speed is definitely worth the price of free. It is a fair replica of a tabletop experience brought down to the palm of your hand. The two player mode is enjoyable and adds replay ability to the app. It’s rather simplistic, but so is the game of air hockey. Enjoy!
Android Apps Review Details: Air Hockey Speed Android app is free. This app requires Android 1.6 and up. You may download Air Hockey Speed from the Android Market.
