Game Revolution Review Page

PlayStation Review
Category	Racing
Players	1
Difficulty	Medium
Available	Now
Developer	Namco
Publisher	Sony

by Mike Carino

Is there a problem, officer?

Straight from the arcades to the Playstation comes Ridge Racer by Namco. Like the arcade version, Ridge Racer uses the super smooth texture-mapped polygons making the race cars look impressive. The graphics for the tracks are highly detailed. If you take a look at the mountainside, you can see every little crevice, but of course, if you have time to look at the mountainside you wouldn't really be racing. When driving through the tunnels you get realistic view of how it is when you drive through a long tunnel. What I mean is that right when you enter the tunnel, the lights from the tunnel overcome the light from the sun. It is pretty cool seeing the lighting turn from the bright light to the dim lights then back to sunlight. The graphics of the cars are good too. The details are impressive because you can actually read the decals on the other cars, and if you turn just at that right angle you can even see what's on your car.

The selections for the cars is O.K., but one thing that baffles me is that on the case for the game, it states that you can choose from 13 cars. I didn't see 13 cars, in fact I only got to choose from 4 cars. But those four were impressive and perhaps I'm just mising somthing obvious. The four types of cars are as follows: Beginner, which is an average car with an o.k. handling and acceleration. Mid-level is a step up, which has a little less acceleration, but better traction. High-level has a fast acceleration, high top speed but less traction. Time Trial is a little low on acceleration, high top speed and low traction. Each car is fairly good, it just depends on how you like to drive and your style of driving.

Along with choosing which kind of car you like to race, you can also choose the type of transmission you prefer. You can either choose a Manual or an Automatic. I prefer the Manual because you can control what gear the car should be in. The Automatic is alright, I sometimes use it. It's simpler using the Automatic, but you just don't get that same power as you do in the Manual. I do suggest that beginners use the Automatic at first, because then all you have to worry about is braking.

The music is a 6 track original soundtrack. Although it is original, entertaining is not an adjective I would use to describe the music. After awhile of hearing these songs, you'll probably just go crazy. It's all techno music and I have nothing against techno, but these songs were just pathetic. I ended up just putting the t.v. on mute and playing my radio. Top to off this music, the sports caster makes boring statements, well.. actually annoying statements. Right when you start the game the sports caster says "What a great start, I've never seen anything like this." Oh yeah some great start, every time you start the race you begin in dead last. I think the guy is there to distract you from concentrating on racing. The only thing I found useful about him is that he tells you how many laps are left in the race. Even then he still adds the irritating remark, "Hold on there, you can make it!" Like I need to hear that while I race.

The race tracks are fairly challenging and definately fun. When you first start off, you get to choose between 4 tracks. Beginner, Mid-Level, High-Level, and Time Trial. The Beginner track is a simple short track with the top speed down and is only two laps. The Mid-Level track is just like the Beginner track but with an extension to the track. You are given three laps this time with higher speeds. The High-Level track is well the Mid-level track the only difference between the two is that the timer is faster. Last of all there's the Time trial which is just like the Mid and High Level tracks only you get to time yourself. This really gets on my nerves because there is no variety to choose from.

All the tracks are pretty much the same and there are no other places to go race at. Oh, they do change it a little, after you get first place at each of those tracks, you get the "Extra Tracks" which I think is "Extra Crap". All the "Extra" courses are really just the same tracks as before only backwards with the clock ticking even faster. Yeah that's something to look forward to. I'll admit these "Extra Tracks" are a bit harder than the first four, but you are still on that same track. No matter which direction you drive, its still boring to race the same track.

Although it seemed as if I hacked away at this game, I actually still love it. One feature I liked was at the end of each race, there is an instant replay to show you how you were racing. It shows you everything, I mean everything that you did while racing. This game is entertaining and worth getting. Sure it's not as good as WipeOut, but hey, since when did actual race cars carry guns and rockets. I think that this game is worth purchasing, it's fun, has good graphics and the "Extra Tracks" will keep you occupied for awhile.

Revolution Report Card

B-

Great graphics Good racing control Where are those other cars? Needs more tracks!!