Grand Mountain Adventure 2: Should You Hit the Slopes?

Grand Mountain Adventure 2, the eagerly awaited sequel to Toppluva's acclaimed snowsports simulation, has hit the slopes and captured the attention of our App Army readers, who are passionate about extreme sports—albeit in the safety of their mobile devices. We handed the game over to them, and here's what they had to say:

Oskana Ryan

I initially found Grand Mountain Adventure 2 a bit frustrating due to the controls, which took some getting used to. I was all over the place, crashing into objects and going in circles. However, once I mastered the controls, the game became quite enjoyable. It offers a variety of challenges, with plenty of opportunities for snowboarding and skiing, but be cautious of other skiers who seem to be everywhere. The graphics are impressive, and there's more depth to the gameplay than your typical downhill runner, making it a worthwhile experience.

Jason Rosner

Grand Mountain Adventure 2 picks up right where its predecessor left off, offering an open-world skiing and snowboarding experience that's easy to jump into, even for beginners like myself. I've always admired the pros executing stunning tricks in their vibrant gear, zooming down mountains and slopes. With GMA2, I can now live out those dreams. The game has a relaxed vibe that encourages you to play at your own pace. There's a plethora of challenges and activities around every corner, with new items to unlock. The environments are detailed and immersive, with falling snow and transitions from day to night. The controls are intuitive; I was pulling off tricks within minutes, and the movement feels realistically weighted. It's clear that the Grand Mountain Adventure series is crafted with passion and love, making it a must-have in any mobile gaming collection.

Robert Maines

Grand Mountain Adventure 2 leans more towards an arcade-style ski and snowboarding sim rather than a serious simulation. From an overhead perspective, you guide your skier or snowboarder down various mountain courses. Completing challenges earns you passes that unlock higher lifts on the mountain. The game looks fantastic, and the touch controls are responsive, allowing you to swiftly navigate the slopes and perform jumps. The sound effects, particularly the sound of slicing through the snow, are well-executed. My only minor critique is that the text can be hard to read at times, but that's a personal issue. Overall, I highly recommend it.

Bruno Ramalho

As someone who enjoys skiing in real life, albeit sparingly, Grand Mountain Adventure 2 offers a wealth of activities without the need to spend any money. This open-world (or open mountain?) game lets you ski, snowboard, and even paraglide across the mountain. You can explore freely, seeking out events and challenges that reward you with ski points to unlock more map features. Unlocking all the rides is key to ascending the mountain and accessing more challenges until you reach the summit, where a balloon awaits to transport you to another mountain (this feature requires purchasing the full game). Exploring the map to find glowing points or specific locations is essential, and you can mark spots on the ground to follow red arrows to your destination.

Later on, you unlock a backpack for more equipment and a telescope to enjoy the scenic views of the surrounding mountains. The graphics are stunning, and the sound of skis gliding through the snow is convincingly realistic. The gameplay truly immerses you in the snowy environment. Some challenges transform into mini-games with different perspectives, reminiscent of classic games like Ski or Die on the Amiga 500. This game is a no-brainer download from the App Stores, especially since it's free to try, and you can do so much before deciding to buy the full version. Highly recommended.

Swapnil Jadhav

The graphics in Grand Mountain Adventure 2 are beautiful, but speaking as a casual gamer, more detailed and interactive tutorials are necessary. For a simulation game of this nature, attracting casual gamers is challenging. Perhaps the developers could introduce a basic version of controls tailored for casual gamers, as the mobile market primarily consists of casual players.

Brian Wigington

Having played the first game in the series briefly, I'm excited to delve deeper into the sequel. I love skiing but haven't hit the slopes in years. Grand Mountain Adventure 2 captures the essence of skiing at a Colorado resort, from the ski lifts to fellow skiers and the resort buildings. You play as someone on a ski/snowboard trip at a vast mountain resort, with the freedom to ski on or slightly off the designated paths. You need to be mindful of obstacles like structures, rocks, trees, and other skiers. The feel of the game is fantastic, with numerous items and tricks to master and unlock. The graphics are detailed, and the sound effects—from the crunch of the snow to the sound of collisions—are crisp. The controls have a slight learning curve but work well. I'm eager to spend more time with the game beyond the initial 30 minutes I managed this weekend. It genuinely feels like a ski vacation escape.

Mark Abukoff

Not a huge skiing enthusiast, but I found Grand Mountain Adventure 2 to be a solid simulation. The controls took some time to get used to, but once I did, they were quite effective. Going uphill was sometimes challenging, and I often wished I could just remove my skis and walk. However, mastering the controls was a good exercise. I enjoyed the ski runs, though initially, I collided with people, trees, animals, and fences. With practice, I improved. The scenery and graphics were impressive, with many small details to appreciate. 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 caught my eye with its stunning graphics and attention to detail, right down to the tracks left in the snow. After a few hours of play, I'm gradually improving. You need to complete goals to unlock new areas, and while it can be confusing at times, the map is very helpful. Little conveniences like holding down the screen to speed up the chair lift are appreciated. The controls are straightforward and evolve as you progress, and you can collect more equipment once you find the backpack. The game has been challenging, but it motivates me to keep trying to improve. I'm not great at flips and spins yet, but the game reminds me of Alto's Odyssey in an open-world setting, making it uniquely challenging. I'm thoroughly enjoying it and plan to keep exploring to unlock more areas. Two thumbs up.

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