Blix
12-31-2003, 02:41 AM
I just bought that game today and boy am I happy I did. The graphics are awesome, the cars are well modeled and the stages are very detailed. The camera some times shows the complete circuit and you can really appreciate how much detail was put on the design. The light directly affects the cars in the game. In one part of a circuit my car was driving under some trees which only let some rays of light pass through and the shadows and light were reflected in the car in the same shape they had when they hit it. The game is also progressive scan compatible and runs smooth.
First of all, I just love how the game isn't too realistic or too arcade-like; it's well balanced in that sense. You don't have these extreme cases of inertia where you slow down to 5 M.P.H. on a turn and still slide outside of the road. There’s none of that here, you slow down and you can take a turn nice and smooth. The car does slide a little when you’re running at high speed on a race but it feels so much more realistic than many of the racing-simulation games currently out.
The controls sure are responsive; you can take from u-turns to slight turns with much ease. The default setting, however, is awkward. Using the Left and Right triggers for brakes and acceleration (respectively). It's obviously because they are the only pressure-sensitive buttons in the controller. I suppose you get accustomed to it after an hour or so but I didn't give it a chance and changed it back to the standard racing games settings.
Also, the story mode of the game is interesting and makes the game stand out, IMO. Each time you win a race a new part of the story develops which gives the game a unique feeling. It feels better to know there’s a reason (other than just for the heck of it, which is also more than enough) of why you’re running. In this game you’ll inevitably gain an opponent (Gina Cavalli) for your female character (Rena Hayanami) which expands on the competitive sense of the game. It’s a nice little detail that while not being necessary sure makes the game more enjoyable.
But the story is not only narrated after races, it also takes place in the actual game in that your fellow competitors have names and you can actually hear their comments about your driving. It’s fun to actually hear other racers cursing you and their luck as you outrun them. One time the guy on first place called me a "Psycho freak" after I accidentally hit him on a turn and sent his car far away. The comments so far are varied and give the game a great sense of realism. You can also hear the leader of your racing team giving you advice on what you're doing wrong and screaming of excitement as you outrun other competitors, get in first place and win the race. It all really adds to the experience and none of them (so far) actually say stupid lines (I can’t wait to hear what naughty insults Gina makes towards Rena).
The sound is well done in this game, nothing too spectacular but very polished. You hear other cars’ engines get louder or softer as you outrun them. The voice of other competitors is convincingly clear; the music is nice and fits the game well (though I personally would have preferred a not-so-soft kind of music.).
As if the game wasn’t good enough it also brings a free copy of Pacman Vs. as a bonus. I have yet to play it with some friend but so far it seems fun. You simply owe it to yourself to get a copy of this game.
First of all, I just love how the game isn't too realistic or too arcade-like; it's well balanced in that sense. You don't have these extreme cases of inertia where you slow down to 5 M.P.H. on a turn and still slide outside of the road. There’s none of that here, you slow down and you can take a turn nice and smooth. The car does slide a little when you’re running at high speed on a race but it feels so much more realistic than many of the racing-simulation games currently out.
The controls sure are responsive; you can take from u-turns to slight turns with much ease. The default setting, however, is awkward. Using the Left and Right triggers for brakes and acceleration (respectively). It's obviously because they are the only pressure-sensitive buttons in the controller. I suppose you get accustomed to it after an hour or so but I didn't give it a chance and changed it back to the standard racing games settings.
Also, the story mode of the game is interesting and makes the game stand out, IMO. Each time you win a race a new part of the story develops which gives the game a unique feeling. It feels better to know there’s a reason (other than just for the heck of it, which is also more than enough) of why you’re running. In this game you’ll inevitably gain an opponent (Gina Cavalli) for your female character (Rena Hayanami) which expands on the competitive sense of the game. It’s a nice little detail that while not being necessary sure makes the game more enjoyable.
But the story is not only narrated after races, it also takes place in the actual game in that your fellow competitors have names and you can actually hear their comments about your driving. It’s fun to actually hear other racers cursing you and their luck as you outrun them. One time the guy on first place called me a "Psycho freak" after I accidentally hit him on a turn and sent his car far away. The comments so far are varied and give the game a great sense of realism. You can also hear the leader of your racing team giving you advice on what you're doing wrong and screaming of excitement as you outrun other competitors, get in first place and win the race. It all really adds to the experience and none of them (so far) actually say stupid lines (I can’t wait to hear what naughty insults Gina makes towards Rena).
The sound is well done in this game, nothing too spectacular but very polished. You hear other cars’ engines get louder or softer as you outrun them. The voice of other competitors is convincingly clear; the music is nice and fits the game well (though I personally would have preferred a not-so-soft kind of music.).
As if the game wasn’t good enough it also brings a free copy of Pacman Vs. as a bonus. I have yet to play it with some friend but so far it seems fun. You simply owe it to yourself to get a copy of this game.