Grand Mountain Adventure 2: Skiing and Snowboarding Sim Reviewed

Grand Mountain Adventure 2, the sequel to Toppluva's beloved snowsports simulator, has hit the slopes and we at Pocket Gamer couldn’t wait to get our App Army's insights on this thrilling winter sports experience. Our community of avid mobile gamers, who enjoy the thrill of extreme sports without the real-world risk, shared their detailed impressions of the game. Here's what they had to say:

Oskana Ryan

I initially found Grand Mountain Adventure 2 a bit frustrating due to its learning curve with the controls. It felt like a chaotic start, with me veering off in all directions, crashing into objects, and spinning in circles. However, once I mastered the controls, the game transformed into a delightful experience. It's packed with challenges, and offers ample opportunities for snowboarding and skiing. Be mindful of the other skiers scattered throughout; they're quite omnipresent. The game boasts impressive graphics and offers more depth than your typical downhill runner, ensuring there's plenty to keep you engaged.

Jason Rosner

Grand Mountain Adventure 2 is an expansive open-world sequel that continues the outdoor excitement from its predecessor. What I appreciate most is how accessible it is, even for winter sports novices like myself. I've always been fascinated by the pros executing stunning stunts in vibrant neon gear, racing down mountains and slopes at breakneck speeds. With GMA2, I can now live out those fantasies. The game has a relaxed vibe that encourages you to play at your own pace.

Every turn presents new challenges and activities, with plenty of items to unlock. As you explore the beautifully detailed winter landscapes, you'll notice the stunning visuals, from falling snow to the transition from day to night. The controls are remarkably intuitive; I was performing impressive tricks within minutes, feeling the realistic weight of my character's movements through 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 experience rather than a hardcore simulation. From a top-down perspective, you guide your character down various mountain courses. As you complete challenges and earn passes, you unlock lifts that transport you to higher altitudes. The game is visually appealing, and the touch controls are responsive, enabling you to swiftly navigate the mountain and execute jumps with ease. The sound effects, particularly the satisfying sound of slicing through the snow, enhance the experience. My only minor gripe is the occasionally hard-to-read text, but that's more of a personal issue. I recommend giving it a try.

Bruno Ramalho

As someone who enjoys skiing in real life but has only done it a few times, I appreciate how much you can do in Grand Mountain Adventure 2 without spending any money. The game's open-world (or should I say open-mountain?) setting lets you ski, snowboard, and even paraglide freely. You can explore, hunt for events and challenges, and earn ski points to unlock more map features.

Unlocking all the rides is crucial as it allows you to ascend the mountain, access more challenges, and eventually reach the summit where a balloon awaits to transport you to another mountain (a feature unlocked with the full game purchase). Exploring and using the map to find glowing points or set markers to follow is essential. As you progress, you'll unlock a backpack for additional equipment and a telescope to marvel at the surrounding mountain views. The graphics are stunning, and the sound of skis gliding through the snow feels authentic, immersing you in the snowy environment.

Some challenges feel like mini-games, changing the gameplay perspective to side or top-down views reminiscent of classic games like Ski or Die on the Amiga 500. This game is a no-brainer to download from the App Stores, especially since you can try it for free and do so much before deciding to buy the full version. Highly recommended.

Swapnil Jadhav

While the graphics in Grand Mountain Adventure 2 are breathtaking, the controls could benefit from more detailed interactive tutorials, especially for casual gamers. For a simulation game of this nature, it can be challenging to attract casual players. Perhaps the developers could introduce a simplified control scheme more akin to casual games. Remember, on mobile platforms, your audience is predominantly casual gamers.

Brian Wigington

I dabbled with the first game in the series a while back and found it intriguing but didn't fully commit. However, with the sequel, I'm ready to dive in. As someone who loves skiing but hasn't hit the slopes in years, GMA2 brings back those Colorado resort vibes. From ski lifts to fellow skiers and scenic buildings, it captures the essence perfectly. You play as someone on a ski/snowboard trip at a vast mountain resort, offering freedom to ski on or slightly off the designated paths while watching out for obstacles like structures, rocks, trees, and other skiers.

The game's feel is fantastic, with numerous items and tricks to master and unlock. The detailed graphics and crisp sound effects, from the crunch of the snow to the sounds of collisions, add to the immersive experience. The controls become intuitive after a brief learning period. I'm eager to spend more time with the game beyond the initial 30 minutes I managed this busy weekend. It truly feels like a relaxing ski vacation escape.

Mark Abukoff

Although I'm not a huge fan of skiing, Grand Mountain Adventure 2 offers a compelling simulation. The controls required some adjustment, but once mastered, they proved effective. Climbing uphill was occasionally challenging, tempting me to remove my skis and walk, yet it was a good way to get accustomed to the controls. I enjoyed the ski runs, though initially, I collided with people, trees, animals, and fences. With practice, I improved significantly. The scenery and graphics were impressive, with numerous 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 Grand Mountain Adventure 1, despite its being on my list. The first thing that struck me about GMA2 was its stunning graphics and meticulous attention to detail, right down to the tracks in the snow. After a few hours of play, I'm gradually improving. Completing goals unlocks new areas, although it can be confusing to know where to go next; thankfully, the map is very helpful. Small conveniences like holding down the screen to speed up the chair lift are appreciated.

The controls are straightforward and evolve as you progress, allowing you to collect additional equipment once you find the backpack. The game has been challenging, yet it motivates me to keep trying to improve. I'm still struggling with flips and spins, but the game's open-world format reminds me of Alto’s Odyssey, albeit more challenging. Overall, I'm thoroughly enjoying the game and look forward to unlocking more areas. Two thumbs up.

What is the App Army?

The App Army is Pocket Gamer's vibrant community of mobile game enthusiasts. We frequently seek their insights on the latest games and share their feedback with our readers.

To join the App Army, simply visit our Discord Channel or Facebook Group and request access by answering the three questions. We'll get you in promptly, ready to share your thoughts on the next big mobile game.