Best sailboat racing game out there. – Virtual Regatta Inshore Review

This is by far the best racing games (sailing) on the App Store. It hits on all of the key aspects of racing; fighting for a good start, wind shifts, wind shadow, vmg, etc. The only areas that could use some improvement are the rules and how a penalties are resolved. The basic rules are all there, port/starboard, windward/leeward. I think the rule accuracy at mark roundings could be improved. If I remember correctly a boat has no rights if they are head to wind until they have established at least a close hauled course. Also, (someone already mentioned this in a review but I agree) penalties are payed off immediately with a timed speed reduction. It works pretty well, but it kind of incentivizes sailors to force a penalty rather than sail their proper course. In real racing penalties can be fulfilled by doing circles at anytime between when they occur and when the offender crosses the finish line. I think this should be added into the game, at least for the non foiling boats. My only other comment is that the game is on the verge of “pay to win”. There are certain advantages that you can buy with game tokens. The tokens can be purchased or won and it’s not to hard to win them. But, let’s be honest real life racing is also very much a pay to win sport so think what you want... At the end of the day, if you have been racing for years, just learning to race or just learning to sail; this is a great game for you.
Review by Jawsome997 on Virtual Regatta Inshore.