RalliSport Challenge

THE BAD:
---

SUMMARY:
Rallisport Challenge is one of the few racing games that is fun, rather than "a chore". As with Sega GT 2002, racing feel like something you have to do to get upgrades or new cars. This game is not so. Although you can't upgrade the parts, you do get cars, but it doesn't feel like a chore to get one.
Now on to the real game. You are a professional racer. You can race in various areas like the sahara, mountains, forests, yadda yadda. You race in the Career mode to race against already set records. you get so many points for completing the race, so many more for how much your car isn't damaged, top speed, and the bonus which is if you finished in the top three. Going too fast, though will cause the slightest bump to make you do barrel, rolls, flips and other fancy aerobatics. You can also do those same aerobatics...over cliffs. Don't worry, when your car gets too far off the track it resets onm the road. Or if it flips on its roof, you can hold in the accelerator and you will automatically self-right. The sheer fun of this game is just tremendous. You'll probably have to learn the controls for awhile, but it's still really fun.

THE BAD:
minor quips: very unforgiving (though that could be looked at as good based on realism), mostly racing against clock (which is also staying true to rally roots)

SUMMARY:
a rally enthusists wet dream! this game IS all things rally and probably the best display of it. hands down the best rally game thus far. definately fun but more importantly addictive.

THE BAD:
- Particle effects could have been better
- No in-car camera angle
- Graphics

SUMMARY:
Before I start I’ll just say that up until 2 weeks ago I was an avid PS2 worshiper and would never have considered buying an Xbox. However, shortly after play Turok: Evolution on the PS2 I knew that if I wanted the best quality gameplay and graphics from a console that I’d need to upgrade to an Xbox.

Anyway, back to the review at hand. Quite frankly If you love rally then you’ll love RC. It is with a doubt the best ‘arcade’ rally game I have played and leaves GT3 rally mode on the PS2 in its dust. Crisp clear graphics are predominant throughout with textures becoming more detailed up close. Unlike GT3, RC has a flawless draw distance and does not need to camouflage memory limitations of the console by hiding the draw distance behind strategically placed corners or objects. The feeling of being out in the open is excellent. For example, you could be belting down a gravel road at 200kph only to look over the drop next to you to see the road that you’ll soon be driving on down below.

Co-driver instructions are spot on and be warned, ignoring them can often result in some spectacular flips over a shear drop! (note: you wont see a crash as the game repositions you in the centre of the track). Although good, the co-pilot audio can be switched off and you can be left in peace to make your own calls (which is great once you become familiar with the track).

The game features little graphical treats throughout. Leaves fall of trees, trees sway in the wind, birds fly, spectators (although not great) are better than the GT3 cardboard cut outs and the way the car doesn’t look show room finished by the end of a race. Unfortunately there are some aspects of the graphics that prevent RC from achieving perfection. No real time reflections, the blocky reflection on the hood of the car, particle effects feel a little weak, z-buffer problems (i.e. blades of grass and bushes visibly pass through the car). However these are all minor quibbles and don’t distract from the game play at all.

To summarise, if you’re an arcade rally fan then this is the one for you. Its fun, fast and has some good replay value.

Graphics: 8.5 (great but you know Xbox can do better)
Audio: 8 (could a racing game will ever score a 10)
Gameplay: 9.5 (almost spot on)
Replay Value: 8 (I know I’ll keep coming back)
Overall: 9

THE BAD:
Often some dodgy turns. Its too easy to teleport back on track, whenever you miss one turn you can teleport and its okay. That's not very good.

SUMMARY:
One of the first racers on the X-Box, Rallisport does not dissapoint. I was originally very dubious, as most realistic games turn out to be very boring. Not so here. Rallisport is incredibly realistic (right down to shattered windscreens), but is also a flippin' good laugh.

This was wrongly underhyped. In truth, it beats Gran Turismo 3 in every single aspect, but sadly, the lack fof publicity for it was criminally bad, this game is fantastic, but who knows about it?

There are tons of options to unlock, thankfully, as this gives an extra incentive to play more (X-Box motto unintended there), the customisation is great too. Ever wanted to have an incredibly slow race? Thought not, but you can if you select an icey course and put smooth tires on.

The game's fantastic in multiplayer. But its no fun if you're winning. When I was winning in a three player game going up a curvey mountain road. I got bored with the lack of action, and waited for the other two to arrive, then the fun started. Block each other, ran each other, turn another racer off a cliff (great fun, that, but its not encouraged at all, RC is a strictly non-violent game).

Of course, when you've played for hours and its get a tad repetative, as all games do, then simply find a narrow road that has a cliff to its side. Stop the race, and try to ram each other off the cliff. Althpugh this definatly wasn't intended by the developers, this provides a worthy distraction. Watch your friend go straight at you, perform a 180 skid and tilt his rally car so he sails off the cliff, or, just ram each other. Fantastic fun.

All in all, this game comes highly reccomended. If you're into racing, even a little bit, then I strongly reccomend you get this game.


Edit 15/07/03 (Corrected typo in title)