PixlBit

Augmenting the recent release of arcade flashback, Hydro Thunder Hurricane is the Tempest Pack DLC. The pack includes a set of three new levels, two totally new boats, five retooled expert versions of pro and novice level boats, as well as new Championship, Gauntlet and Ring Master challenges. While all of this content is offered in the pack, the tracks are truly the main attraction, and at only 400 Microsoft Points they're a good investment.

The three tracks included - Atlantis, Castle von Boom, and The Bermuda Triangle - are a decent mix of levels. Both Atlantis and The Bermuda Triangle are similar in the fact that they are both serviceable levels that don't quite live up to the tracks included in the main release. Castle von Boom on the other hand is an excellently crafted level.

Here, players will race in a three-lap, figure eight style track filled with many exploding barrels and hidden shortcuts. When coming to the end of the track, players will be forced to loop around and double back through the level against a horde of incoming racers, causing the entire track to be in utter disarray. It makes for an exciting experience that forces racers to avoid all manner of obstacles, from racers alongside the player, to racers moving against the flow of traffic, to the barrels and mid-course impediments that exist.

Atlantis is a bit underwhelming, considering what it's supposed to represent. It sports a basic ancient Greek theme and features secret passages throughout the level that are completely obvious, leaving no amount of exploration to the player. This of course means there is no opportunity to construct a weaving route to race for the fastest time. Instead, through three laps, players can only focus on hitting the shortcuts as they become available and perfect their turns to make for the fastest time.

The Bermuda Triangle suffers somewhat of a similar problem, but is definitely more interesting in theme than Atlantis. Here, the track is merely a race to the finish line, and the actual track is basically a straightaway. However, along the way, players will be transported around, keeping in theme with the myths of the Bermuda Triangle. While Vector Unit has managed to capture some of the essence of what makes the Bermuda Triangle mythical, they probably could've done something more outlandish, along the lines of the Area 51 track.

While the new boats are a nice addition, I found myself still going back to Rad Hazard to make it through the new tracks. Another major problem is that it takes a hefty 200,000 credits to unlock the final boat of the pack, which players haven't likely come close to accruing over the course of playing the base title.

The rest of the content is also locked based on credits, which can be frustrating if you haven't built up enough credits playing through the original game. I found myself in this predicament, and had to grind through some other challenges in order to unlock the new DLC. It's not the worst of problems, but you should make sure you've gotten the full value out of the original title before diving into the DLC.

Though the new tracks aren't the best in the game, they do bring about a number of new challenges, which are great if you have exhausted the content of the original release. At only 400 Microsoft Points ($5), the Tempest Pack is an inexpensive way to extend the life of Hydro Thunder Hurricane, which was a great bit of fun.