Ski jumping is a sport that many of us are happy to watch, but few of us would ever try ourselves. There's just something about hurtling down an icy hill at 95 miles an hour that confines it firmly to the realm of the professional athletes.
Ski Jumping Pro looks to change this trend by bringing the thrill of ski jumping to your iOS device of choice. Strap on your spandex, grab a helmet, and get ready to fly down the ramp.
Up, up, and awayMuch like
CSR Racing,
Ski Jumping Pro relies on a simple timed input control system that feels like it's been poached from a rhythm game.
On the Casual difficulty level, each jump is broken down to three simple taps: one at launch, one at the jump itself, and a third for the landing.
It's not the most exciting mechanic in the world, certainly, but it works well for
Ski Jumping Pro and it allows you to watch the scenery go racing by as you hurtle down a mountain at breakneck speeds.
On the Pro setting, you're able to lean left and right (using swiping or tilt controls) to compensate for wind and drifting. This brings a welcome bit of challenge to each jump and makes it feel more like a sport.
Stick the landingGameplay is broken up into two main modes: Quick Jump and Career. For those looking to show off
Ski Jumping Pro's impressive graphics to a friend, Quick Jump will suffice as it allows you to make a single jump without much hassle.
IAPs ExplainedYou can upgrade your skier and unlock additional courses with dollars that you earn in game. This currency is fairly easy to come by, but for those looking to jump ahead a bit Ski Jumping Pro allows you to purchase stars which you can then exchange for dollars.
89c / 65p will buy you 25 stars, and $1.79 / £1.39 will put 75 stars in your pocket.
Those looking to really get ahead can buy packs of 250 stars ($3.99 / £2.49), 700 stars ($6.99 / £4.99), or 2000 stars ($15.99 / £10.99).
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Career mode is a more involved affair, as it follows the progress of your jumper throughout several competitive cups, with your performance in one race affecting your ability to qualify for another.
This quickly becomes challenging, as
Ski Jumping Pro has an interesting - and by that I really mean unpredictably random - way of assessing your jumps.
You can execute three 'excellent' taps on one jump and still wind up in 49th place, while two 'goods' and an 'excellent' will win you first place in the next.
Despite its finicky scoring,
Ski Jumping Pro is an enjoyable game in short bursts. After a while, however, the monotony of the courses will set in and your attention may wander.
Thankfully, the developer has put in a great voiceover track and an optional replay facility that adds some pageantry to the proceedings.
Playing
Ski Jumping Pro isn't quite the same as barrelling down a cold slope, but as safe alternatives go it's worth a look.
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