Another revolution around the track.
The Ridge Racer series is probably the best known set of racing games on the Playstation. Thats a distinction that should not be taken lightly. Sure, Burning Road and Impact Racing are out there but their names just don't bring the same tinge of excitement that Ridge Racer delivers. Think about the first time that you saw Ridge Racer with its clean polygon graphics racing through the streets. Even though it only had one track, it was a thrilling ride. Namco's flagship racing series continues with the third Ridge Racer game on the Playstation. It brings a whole new set of features to the table.
The colorful cars of Ridge Racers past return for more racing action. The
cotton candy pink Mappy and the sky blue Solvalou offer familiar fenders for Ridge
fans. In addition to the cars that you know and love, players have the option of
upgrading the cars and fine tuning them for the best performance. Each win that you
pull off will give you some money which you can use to upgrade your ride for a better
chance at winning upcoming races.
In this way, Namco adds a new dimension to the Ridge series and its a welcome
addition. The monetary prize is something that you strive for to increase your
capabilities and to make your car the fiercest competitor on the circuit. You'll need
all you can get to compete in the later levels.
Rage Racer is the ultimate in the culmination of Namco's flagship racing game.
The controls are still somewhat floaty but they range closer to the best that Sega has
to offer with their Daytona and Sega Rally titles which offered fine tuned controls. The first thing
you will notice about Rage Racer is that the graphics are intricate. The girls who start off
the races look a lot more realistic than the racing girls found in the first Ridge Racer. Their features
and bodies are very detailed and bring a new dimension of realism to the Ridge series. That is not where
the exacting details end. Every track is rendered down to minute features. Buildings and trees on the side of the tracks are drawn beautifully and the skies overhead
have a cloud cover as you and your vehicle hurtle through the tracks. Bridges and road signs are
rendered in good detail as well. The graphics leave little to be desired and serve to enhance the
gameplay and the game overall.
There is a Grand Prix mode where you rage over five courses. This is a far cry from the single track of the first Ridge. What a difference, um, 2 years makes. The graphics as mentioned before have been greatly improved but the sounds have been improved as well. The engine of your car now roars like an real engine rather than the gentlemanly, whiny sound of the earlier Ridge titles. The sounds as you race on a track are also a lot more varied than the monotone buzz found in the earlier Ridges. In the picture to the right, I make my way towards a structure that looks a lot like the arch that is found in New York's Washington Square Park. Other parts of the game will have you driving through villas, mountains and suburbia.
