This action-packed nautical boat racer will certainly scratch your racing itch.
At just 1200 Microsoft points ($15) you get quite a tempting package.
There are more than enough Single Player events that will help you test out newly unlocked boats and learn the various paths and shorcuts of the 8 richly detailed tracks. Single Player also offers a forgiving 'Race' mode where you start off last in the line of 16 boats all competing for a shiny gold trophy at the end of the track. Make use of the Boost canisters scattered around the track to get an edge over your opponents.
'The Gauntlet' is essentially a Time Trials mode where you can compare your best times to those of the world's best on the Leaderboards. Explosive barrels dot the tracks when racing in the Gauntlet, so quick thinking and a cool nerve will help you avoid a fiery explosive death.
'Ring Master' is a series of events where you follow brightly-colored rings to get to the end of a track. Your only source of boost in this mode is by continuously passing through the rings in the order they appear. If you miss one, your boost meter is completely drained empty and 1, 2, or even 3 seconds (depending on the difficulty level) are added to your overall time.
There are 10 different boats to choose from (1 being online-only) and each one has various strengths and weaknesses. Fan favorites like the Razorback, Cutthroat, and Tidal Blade make a triumphant return and are joined by 2 brand new boats; the Rubber Ducky and the Vector. The boats are broken up into 3 classes (Novice, Pro, Expert) with the Expert boats having the highest top speeds, but by the same token they are the hardest to master.
Each boat also comes with an assortment of unlockable skins to customize them for your unique tastes and show off with in the online multiplayer.
Perhaps the most exciting element here is the tracks themselves. Each one takes place in a variety of different locations with their own unique shortcuts and track hazards to learn. One track has you racing through a Grand Canyon- like river that leads into a dam that has essentially broken down. Another track has you infiltrating Area 51's various sewer ducts and training chambers and eventually crossing over into a bizarre Alien home world.
Thanks to cleverly-hidden collectible packages and numerous shortcuts on each race course, it never feels tedious to race on a particular track over and over again.
The Multiplayer is exceptionally well-done. There's local split-screen (up to 4 players), system link (up to 16 players), and online multiplayer (up to 8 players). So whatever your situation may be, Multiplayer has you covered on all fronts.
However, that's not to say that Hydro Thunder Hurricane isn't without its faults and shortcomings. Some wonky boat physics will have you plunging 60 ft. into the air smack-dab into a nasty explosion on a wall from bumping off a 2 foot-high wave. Other times you'll find yourself pivoting 90 degrees straight into the side of a mountain after boosting through a tight cavern to cut off the rest of the pack.
These physics are most frustrating when attempting to beat your best times in 'The Gauntlet' or trying to nail every ring in 'Ring Master' mode. Ultimately, expect to go through A LOT of trial and error if you are not able to compensate for the deadly waves set off by track hazards.
Overall, you get a real bang for your buck with this one. Competitive leaderboards, beautifully detailed tracks and boats, and a huge number of Single Player events will have you racing for a long time to come.