Grand Mountain Adventure 2, the latest installment from Toppluva, builds on the success of its predecessor, offering a thrilling snowsports experience that's perfect for our App Army readers who love extreme sports but prefer the safety of virtual slopes. We put the game in the hands of our gaming enthusiasts, and here’s what they had to say:
Oskana Ryan
Initially, I found the game a bit frustrating because the controls took some time to master. I ended up spinning around, crashing into objects, and going in circles. But once I got the hang of it, Grand Mountain Adventure 2 turned out to be quite enjoyable. The game offers a variety of challenges, plenty of skiing and snowboarding down picturesque slopes, though you need to be cautious of other skiers who seem to be everywhere. With its excellent graphics and more depth than your typical downhill runner, there's plenty here to keep you engaged.
Jason Rosner
Grand Mountain Adventure 2 picks up where the original left off, delivering an open-world skiing and snowboarding experience that's easy to dive into, even for winter sports novices like me. I've always admired those pros in their vibrant neon gear, executing stunning tricks down the slopes, and now, with GMA2, I can live out those fantasies. The game starts with a relaxed vibe that encourages you to play at your own pace.
Every turn brings new challenges and activities, and as you explore, you'll unlock more items. The environments are breathtakingly detailed, from falling snow to the transition from day to night. The controls are intuitive; within minutes, I was performing cool tricks and experiencing the realistic feel of movement on the snow. It's evident that the Grand Mountain Adventure series is crafted with passion and love, making it a must-have for your mobile gaming collection.
Robert Maines
Grand Mountain Adventure 2 leans more towards an arcade-style ski and snowboarding simulator, viewed from an overhead perspective as you navigate various mountain courses. Completing challenges earns you passes, revealing the location of lifts to ascend higher on the mountain. The game boasts impressive visuals, and the touch controls are responsive, making it easy to zoom down slopes and execute jumps. The sound design is straightforward yet effective, particularly the satisfying sound of slicing through the snow. My only gripe is that the text can be hard to read at times, but that's a minor issue. I recommend giving this game a try.
Bruno Ramalho
As someone who enjoys skiing in real life, albeit infrequently, I was pleasantly surprised by how much you can do in Grand Mountain Adventure 2 without spending any money. The game offers an expansive open world (or should I say, open mountain?) where you can ski, snowboard, and even paraglide. Exploring freely, you can participate in events and challenges, earning ski points to unlock more map features.
Unlocking all the lifts is crucial for reaching higher altitudes and accessing more challenges, culminating in a balloon ride to another mountain after purchasing the full game. Exploring the map is essential to find glowing points and specific destinations, marked by red arrows guiding you to your chosen spot. As you progress, you'll unlock a backpack for more equipment and a telescope to enjoy the stunning mountain views. The graphics and sound effects, particularly the realistic sound of skis on snow, are top-notch, immersing you in the snowy environment.
Some challenges resemble mini-games with changing perspectives, from side views to top-down reminiscent of classic games like Ski or Die on the Amiga 500. Available for free on the App Stores, Grand Mountain Adventure 2 is a no-brainer to try before deciding on the full purchase. Highly recommended.
Swapnil Jadhav
The game's graphics are beautiful, but for casual gamers, the controls could use more detailed interactive tutorials. For a simulation like this, it's challenging to attract casual players. Perhaps the developers could introduce a simplified control scheme for casual gaming. On mobile, the audience is predominantly casual gamers.
Brian Wigington
Having dabbled with the first game in the series, I'm now fully committed to exploring Grand Mountain Adventure 2. I love skiing, though I haven't hit the slopes in years. This game perfectly captures the feeling of skiing at a Colorado resort, from the ski lifts and fellow skiers to the detailed buildings. You play as someone on a ski or snowboard trip at a vast mountain resort, with the freedom to ski on or slightly off the designated paths.
You must be mindful of obstacles like structures, rocks, trees, and other skiers. The game's feel is fantastic, offering numerous items and tricks to master and unlock. The graphics are highly detailed, and the sound effects are crisp, from the crunch of the snow to the sounds of collisions. After a brief learning curve, the controls work well. I'm eager to spend more time with this game; it feels like a delightful escape to a ski vacation.
Mark Abukoff
While not a huge skiing enthusiast, I found Grand Mountain Adventure 2 to be a solid simulation. The controls took some getting used to, but once mastered, they were effective. Uphill sections were challenging, making me wish I could take my skis off and walk. However, this helped me become more adept at the controls. I enjoyed the ski runs, though initially, I collided with people, trees, animals, and fences. Over time, I improved. The scenery and graphics are impressive, with many delightful details. I highly recommend trying the demo; chances are you'll want to purchase the full version.
Mike Lisagor
I never got around to playing the first Grand Mountain Adventure, but GMA2 immediately impressed me with its stunning graphics and attention to detail, even down to the tracks left in the snow. After a few hours, I'm gradually improving. To unlock new areas, you must complete goals, though it can be confusing to find your next destination. Thankfully, the map is helpful, and features like speeding up chair lifts by holding the screen are convenient.
The controls are straightforward, with new moves added as you progress. Finding the backpack allows you to collect additional equipment. The game is challenging but motivates you to try "one more time" to improve. I'm still working on mastering flips and spins. It reminds me of Alto’s Odyssey but set in an open-world environment, making it more challenging. I'm thoroughly enjoying the game and look forward to unlocking more areas. Two thumbs up.
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