Hands-On: Hydro Thunder Hurricane

With Midway and its fortunes long since cast into the wind, you'd be right to think that the chances of getting a sequel to the company's arcade boat racing game, Hydro Thunder, were extremely slim. But that very sequel is on display here at Penny Arcade's PAX East, and it looks like Vector Unit, the independent developer putting it all together under the name Hydro Thunder Hurricane, clearly understands what needs to be done.

Now, Vector Unit didn't actually buy up the rights to Hydro Thunder in a Midway fire sale. As it turns out, it was Microsoft that picked up those rights. Actually, this just has me wondering what other Midway properties Microsoft picked up along the way. But forget about that. Hydro Thunder Hurricane is an Xbox Live Arcade boat racing game that utilizes the same mechanics as the original arcade game, including boost pick-ups and different courses, each with their own distinct visual theme. While the tracks are new, the boats from the original game return with some light redesigns and new skins. Also, at least environment--Lake Powell--will return, though it's an all-new track set in the same area found in the original game.

Like its predecessor, Hurricane is a fast-moving boat racing game where you race against 15 computer-controlled opponents and fight against the waves as you attempt to stay on course and get to the finish line. Unlike the original game, this one will also have online support for up to eight players, splitscreen support for up to four players, and the ability to get those splitscreen games online.

Vector Unit is nearing the finish line and expects the game to be released this summer, and the crew is already thinking about creating some additional tracks to be used as DLC after the game's release. For a look at the action, here's the trailer that was also issued today.