 |
Home | News | Reviews | Gallery | Videos | Calendar | Blogs | Cheats | Demos | Contact Us |  |
|
When you think of video games being ported to other systems, you typically worry about how well the initial game concept will translate. 9 times out of 10, these titles move from PC to consoles, and somewhere between compressing the controls, oversimplifying the gameplay or shortening the experience, some aspect of play is usually lost. Conversely, some console titles can come across as too shallow, with not enough action, story, or control to sustain computer users. Then, there are the rare few that can captivate both audiences. Microsoft’s RalliSport Challenge took Xbox owners by storm when it came out earlier this year, and now is poised to make its charge onto PCs everywhere come November 1st. So start your engines, ladies and gents, because we’re going to go for a little drive. RalliSport Challenge derives its name from global rally races, which tend to be a bit outside of the regular street or track racing most are used to. These are the kinds of races you may have seen in commercials or movies, consisting of winding washed out country roads, slick glacial straightaways, and steep hills that would give Henry Ford nightmares. This, however, is absolutely nothing to a rally race driver, who eats courses like these for breakfast. As one of these drivers, you’ll have the option to leap into a quick race and burn some rubber, or start a career and establish a legendary name for yourself.
 
Career mode primarily starts you at the bottom of the RalliSport League, where you’ll hope to rise to the top of your field by defeating your competition. This starts by choosing a trophy to go after, placing you in opposition against three other computerized drivers. Beating your rivals, as well as the clock, provides you with additional points for your driver. Points act as a sort of currency within the game, allowing you to enter races as well as repair damage to your car from previous events. Obviously, at the end of that trophy’s season, the driver with the most points wins the trophy. Moreover, accumulating points also unlocks additional tracks and cars, allowing you to progress and challenge the stronger computer-driver opposition. All in all, over forty different racetracks and 20 cars are available within RalliSport Challenge, merely awaiting your honed driving skills. You’ll maneuver through one of four different rally courses on numerous continents. One race may take you into Africa, while others will take you into the frozen wilds of Europe or the forests of Seattle. There are basic Rally Courses, which consist of racing against opponents and the clock through different checkpoints. Hill Climbs force you to propel your car up steep grades or miniature mountains in as little time as possible. Ice Racing demands a lot of caution and practice as you drive on roads paved with ice. Finally, Rally Cross drags you through several different types of terrain, forcing you to adapt on the fly as you power your way towards the finish line. For example, mud can easily bog down tires, reducing your top speed and hindering your acceleration, while ice, obviously, will affect your car’s traction.
 
Don’t expect to perform much tinkering on your car, however. This isn’t Gran Turismo in the slightest bit. While the option of tweaking the transmission, tires, or other settings on the car does exist, the action surrounding RalliSport is designed to be more arcade-like than anything, allowing you to hop into a car and take off down the track. This won’t be too hard, considering the models of cars included within the game. Major carmakers, ranging from consumer-friendly Audi and Ford to race veterans Peugeot and Citroen provide some of their most trustworthy cars, rated by their acceleration, speed and handling. All of the above aspects were featured in the Xbox version, and are solidly represented in the computer iteration. This isn’t too surprising, considering the source code for both are basically identical. However, the major improvement comes in the graphical environment, which provides augmented 3D renders for computer video cards. This game squeezes every inch of juice from your vid card, but rewards you with a truly amazing driving experience. Not only will you swear that you’d be able to count each individual particle of dust, but individual touches that impart additional realism. You’ll notice this primarily through the cheering crowds on the sidelines of the tracks, trees waving in the wind, and reflections upon windows. If you’re lucky enough (or an early adopter) and happen to have a GeForce 4, expect to have a racing experience like no other.
 
Soundwise, you’ll also receive an impressive aural treat in the form of the soundtrack. At least fourteen songs are featured from groups such as the Dub Pistols and Fear Factory, providing a driving, pulse-pounding ambience to the game. For people more interested in being surrounded by the sounds of racing, each car’s distinctive engine purrs, roars and hums have been captured, ensuring that you’ll never wonder, for example, if that was a turbo-charged Audi that just smoked past you in that straightaway. It also has great ambient sounds, such as the squish of mud or the cheers of bystanders. You’ll want to turn your speakers up for this one, and race aficionados won’t have much longer, considering that RalliSport should be on shelves by November 1st. Swing back here for an expanded review soon!
|
Copyright (c) 1998-2009 ~ Game Over Online Incorporated ~ All Rights Reserved
Game Over Online Privacy Policy
