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Not Colin Mcrae 3, but a worthy racer nonetheless. | | Jazzy Gazzy from T.O. , Canada says (28/Nov/2002): | After doing a so-so job with Test Drive, Activision comes back with a niche racer (well, at least in North America). If you loved the rally portion of Gran Turismo 3, then this game will definitely spark some thrills. Game play is quite good, giving you a number of modes to race, whether it be a simple (yet addictive) knockout race to actual rally stages. There is enough variety to keep you interested and coming back for more (spelled 'unlock other stages'). Cars are aplenty, though you do need to unlock them by winning stages and races. This aspect may scare some players, since the first couple of cars are not that great - which means you need to hone your driving skills. Trust me, though, the cars you do earn make you want to compete in all the stages again, just to see your times improve ten-fold. Graphics and sound are great. The visuals are well done, and the backgrounds are well populated. The car models are excellent, showing various damage and the ability to lose parts if your driving skills are less than stellar! The water and dust effects are great too, showing your car getting dirty, or even the rain drops on your camera. It's great to hear that each car has distinctive engine sounds, from the tiny engines to the roar of the turbo charged beasts. Don't forget your co-driver, who seams to be on youcase, forever chattering that you are wrecking the car! Humourous! Few drawbacks: level of difficulty is a little high in the beginning, especially with the underpowered cars. Don't expect to pick up this game and run through all the races in a day. But the handling could be toned down a bit, just under the frustration level which occurs. Also, the rally stages, though are pretty, are not that memorable. They could have used elevation changes a bit more (play WRC to figure this one out). Lastly, the power slide is totally unpredictable and is never the same way twice. Power slides (or reverse lock slides) are essential in shaving every second off a good run, but if it is not handled well, it becomes a deterrant rather than an advantage. Overall, if waiting for Colin Mcrae 3 or WRC II Extreme is too much to bear, this game surely fits the bill. It has lot's of replay value, a handful of challenges, and good multi player features. You won't be disappointed with this rally adventure.
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