Desert Realm

The Desert Realm was featured in the Acceleracers Collectible Card Game.

#### **Quicksand**

A huge portion of the Desert Realm is quicksand. There is a set path in this realm which is surrounded by quicksand which is impossible to get out of once caught in it. To keep out of the quicksand, use the rocks and track pieces scattered around to determine where to go. Additionally, if your game settings are on high, you can see a slight difference in color and reflection between the quicksand and the regular sand.

### The Track

#### **Starting Section**

Upon entering the Desert Realm, you'll be in the air. make sure to not overcorrect when you land. You'll also have flown over some track pieces pointing in the direction you entered as well as a piece further ahead. The realm makes use of these 'landmarks' to help guide you. Drive to the track landmark and keep going straight. You'll see a semi-rise ahead of you. There will be another track landmark just past it so go forwards. Once you reach the track past the rise, there will be another track curving to the right. Heading in that direction, you'll see the next track landmark a ways in the distance. Head straight for it. The next track landmark will be very close by. After passing it, you can see the first rock landmark in this distance at the top of the dune ahead of you. Go for it and use Nitrox2 if you want to get there faster. Make sure to slow down though when you come to it.

#### **First Rock Landmark to Rock Canyon Section**

When you get to the first rock landmark, head directly through the gap in the middle and immediately turn left after to get to the next track landmark. After going past it, you'll want to turn a little more to the left because the next track landmark is slightly hidden. After crossing it, head straight. A large, pillar-like rock will start to appear in a valley. Head directly towards but keep your speed in check. There is a section of track before it and then right in front of it, Following the large track section will point you in the direction of a track piece that arches slightly above the sand. That track piece will point you in the approximate direction of the next rock landmark on the right side of your screen. Drive towards it and then drive past the track section next to it. Drive between the two rock pillars and then turn left towards a rock with a piece of track in front of it. It shouldn't matter which side you pass the rock on since you can see your next destination: a large rock canyon. Drive straight through.

#### **Rock Canyon to Split Path Section**

After passing through the rock canyon, you can see a ramp looking rock on your left. While it is possible to ramp off of it, it is not recommended. Drive straight towards it and pass it on either side. At this point the sand will be rather flat with slopes on either side. Drive in the center and aim for in the middle of two small rocks. Once you pass them, reduce your speed and turn to the right. The next pieces of track will appear over the rise. The track will guide you to the next piece, which will point you in the direction of a cluster of rocks with a clear cut path through them. Drive straight towards it. You'll pass another track piece pointing you that way. Drive through the center of the rock cluster and you'll see a very tall rock pillar slightly to the left side of the screen. Don't drive towards it in a straight line but a slightly curved line. There will be a track piece in front of it. From this point on, there are two paths that converge later at the next rock canyon in the distance.

#### **Left Path Section**

If you take the left path, you'll see some track pieces heading up a dune. Drive to them but don't hit them at high speed. When you pass them and are going over the rise, turn slightly to the left. You'll be driving past a rock. Ignore that one and focus on one further ahead. Drive straight for that one. It shouldn't matter which side you pass it on. You'll see some more track pieces. Try to align yourself in their direction. When you get to the top of the next hill, you'll see a lone rock in about the center of the screen. Make a beeline for it. Some Nitrox2 is fine here. When you start getting really close to the rock, you'll see the next rock landmark to your right. Turn to drive straight towards them. Once you pass through the middle, turn right again and you'll see track coming out of the sand upside down. Drive underneath it and follow it's general direction. There will be a lot of track and rocks here. Drive under and between all of it and you'll see pairs of rocks ahead with large gaps between them. Drive through the middle of them all. Keep your speed in check now as you come to a track landmark. This spot can be unnerving but align yourself with the track and go forwards. Some rocks will appear. Keep to the right of them. Be careful here because some track will be poking out of the sand after and hitting it at high speed *will* send your car flying. In the distance now you can see a large rock with a track piece to the right of it. Head towards them. Keep the rock on your right with a little bit of space in between. The rock canyon where the two paths merge will start appearing. When you enter it, the path on the left of you is the way forwards. The right path is where the other path comes to.

#### **Right Path Section**

If you take the right path, you'll see a track piece on the left side of rock pillar. Once you get to it, slow down and turn right to the next track piece. There will be a couple more track pieces and then you'll see two rocks with a small gap in the middle. Head for that gap and drive through. After that you'll see two smaller rocks. Head for the gap between them as well. By this time you can clearly see a massive rock sticking out of the ground. Head slightly right of it and you'll see the next piece of track. A couple track pieces are place around the rock in a circular fashion. After them will be a large sand section with a piece of track in the distance. Align yourself with the last piece of track you drove on and head straight. A rock will now be close to you. Head towards it. It wont matter what side you pass it on. Then follow the pieces of track behind it. You then can clearly see the rock canyon where the two paths merge. Drive straight towards it. When you enter it, the path on the right of you is the way forwards. The left path is where the other path comes to.

#### **Ending Section**

After leaving the rock canyon, drive slightly to the right. A rock will appear with track on the right side of it. Drive towards it. The next step is important. When you drive past the track piece that's curved and sticking out of the sand a lot, make sure you align yourself a touch to the left instead of perfectly with it. Not so much left that you drive closer to the rock on your right. Head straight. When you get to the top of the dune, a large rock pillar will be a touch to the left of your screen. Make a beeline for it. At this point you can start being a little greedy with your Nitrox2. After passing the pillar, continue going straight and when you come to the top of the dune, you'll see another pillar in the distance a little bit on the right of your screen. Make a beeline for it too. After passing the next pillar, you can see a rock landmark in the distance with a gap between. That's where the portal is! Keep your car aligned with the small gap that is visible. When you approach the track that rises out of the sand, head up it to the portal and be proud of yourself! You managed to navigate your way through the Desert Realm using your wits and learned how your car drives on a sandy terrain!

### Difficulty

The Desert Realm earns a difficulty rating of 'Moderate-High' because while it isn't a very hard level to beat once you have completed it a couple times, it can become increasingly frustrating when you make a mistake and are forced to restart. It also is a rather long realm which adds to the frustration. As a final point, while the rocks and track pieces can feel obvious to someone with experience, it can sometimes be confusing for new drivers.

### Hidden Car

The hidden car in this realm is Technetium. What follows are some hints that will gradually narrow down its location.

#### **Hint 3**

If you've gotten to the first track piece which visibly turns, then you've gone too far.