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(IGN)
Featuring all-new, over-the-top themed environments, rocket-powered speedboats, lush visuals, and amazing dynamic water physics, Hydro Thunder Hurricane is the adrenalinedripping sequel to Midway's legendary speedboat racing arcade game. The game includes eight "theme park" environments, each set in a different location around the globe. Each world is packed with animated surprises, destructible objects, and special events that players trigger in-game.
New game modes include Ring Master, Gauntlet and a series of multi-event Championships. Fan favorite speedboats from the original Hydro Thunder also make a return like Razorback, Cutthroat, and the flying saucer shaped Rad Hazard with redesigned models, multiple unlockable skins, and articulated boost animations with massive rockets folding out from hidden compartments. Each boat features unique handling characteristics. Hydro Thunder Hurricane introduces support for 8-player online racing on Xbox Live. The game also allows for local split screen multiplayer with up to 4 players -- or any combination of local and online play. In addition to races, players can team up in the new Rubber Ducky game mode.


Their isnt much of a story for this game. Like many racing games you race to earn credits to unlock more events/boats.


Hydro Thunder Hurricane is a sequel from the arcade hit Hydro Thunder. Hydro Thunder Hurricane now includes an overhaul in graphics (see below) and new water physics. The water physics are done very well, it still effects the boat but still allows you to have control over your boat.

Like the classic Hydro Thunder, Hurricane has interactive environments while you race. For example, their are police boats that pop up depending on the map. The maps are also orginal, instead of a boring race through a random river they developed racing through Area 51, Cities, and Jungles. These maps also have a few shortcuts laid throughout the map that will earn you a faster time.

Another addition to Hydro Thunder Hurricane are new racing events which include Gauntlet and Ring Master. Ring Master is what you thought it would be, simply drive through the rings as fast as you can to beat a time. Gauntlet is the more fun of the 2, its similar to a time trail but instead of no obstacles explosive barrels are laid out through the map.


The graphics in Hydro Thunder Hurricane are above average. The water and boats are very detailed and work good with the environment. As far as graphics for buildings walls etc. they aren't anything special, although you wont be focusing on the buildings when your racing.


The multiplayer is surprisingly good, the game has been out for about 2 years now and you can still find multiplayer games with no problems. Your also able to create private matches, create your own ranked games, and manually search through games (similar to searching for servers on PC) Hydro Thunder also posts your scores for your best lap/race to the leaderboards and compares it to your friends scores.


Overall Hydro Thunder Hurricane is worth the 1200 MSP. Its a game that you can easily pick up and just have fun with it. Hydro Thunder Hurricane also has DLC featuring new maps, boats, and boat skins. (You can also get this DLC free for multiplayer


Overall: 8.5 / 10