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"Trying to add variety to
the GameCube line-up; Acclaim resurrects a
past Nintendo 64 title and transforms it into a
next generation racer."
INTRO
The original in the series (Extreme G) was a
futuristic, energetic racer. It had a ton of potential,
but was plagued with control issues; not to mention
horrible camera control. Nonetheless, it was a blast to
play and became great rental bait for many players. The
series was similar to the successful F-Zero but
not nearly as fun.
Acclaim has taken the original, revamped it and
released it for the Playstation 2 and the Nintendo
GameCube. By the looks of the box cover and
propaganda; the game looked visually stunning. Huge
levels scattered with colorful eye candy simply couldn't
go unnoticed on any review site, advertisement or
commercial. As with many other gamers, I visited IGN.COM
and downloaded a dozen screenshots and a handful of QuickTime
videos. Quite frankly, I was shocked at the beauty of it
all, but hesitant to believe that the game could
actually play as good as it looks.
The storyline of XG3 Extreme G Racing is nothing
new to the hybrid racing genre. To be totally honest,
anything that has the word "extreme" in
it, I avoid it like the plague. From "extreme"
Doritos to "extreme" hand
lotion. The entire "extreme" phenomenon
has really freaked me out. Getting back on topic, the
game takes place in the 23rd century. Racing has gone to
a whole new level. Missiles, bombs and shields are now
part of your entourages. Pitting yourself against this
carnage is avoided by only one means... speed. Is
breaking the sound barrier fast enough for you?
XG3 sports four different playing modes. A time
trial, practice, arcade and career. The arcade mode is a
no-frills action packed ride, a la arcade. The
majority of your time will be focusing on the career
mode however. Choose between one in six teams and
pick one of two riders. Each team has varied skills,
ethnicities and traits. Once you choose your team and
rider, there are different leagues that you must
complete ladder style. Each league consists of three
tracks. Place within the top seven (usually) and
move onto the next track. Depending on your placement in
a race, you are rewarded with cold cash that can be used
to upgrade your bike. Upgrading can be used to modify
anything from your engine to your weapons.
Vigilante 8 meets light cycles
Back in the early 80's, probably when most of you were
born a movie was produced that easily became one of my
greatest films of all times. Jeff Bridges starred in TRON.
TRON was set in the future, where Bridges was
"sucked" into his computer. Aside from the
constant "nerd" speak, Disney developed
a cutting edge, sci-fi movie with special effects unseen
before. From the movie, many games spun off of its
success. Deadly Disks and Light Cycles
were my favorites for not only the arcade, but also the Atari
2600.
Coming back to reality (and this review), it is
uncanny to see the similarities of XG3 and the
light cycles from TRON. All have the rounded
futuristic motorcycles with a long trail of light. If
you listen close, they even sound the same. Vigilante
8 is a balls-to-the-walls demolition game loaded
with weapons out the wazoo. Combining the best of both
games was the strategy Acclaim tried to produce.
Weapons range from frilly pansy to Hiroshima style
carnage. To be honest, I rarely use the weapons and
concentrate on controlling the bike. In later levels, it
is obligatory to use your weapons properly in order to
achieve top status. Your bike does, have a shield and
really won’t just “blow up” once your shield is
depleted. Slowing you down is basically the principle
behind the weapons, and simply becomes more of a
nuisance than a bonus. Along the track there are two
“recharging” paths. One recharges your shield, and
the other recharges your turbo boost, which is vitally
more important.
Controlling these machines is a breeze, but mastering
takes patience and practice. Accelerating your bike is
done by pressing and holding "A". The little
red "B" button, gives you a reverse view to
see what is behind you. The "Y" button shoots
projectiles; "X" is your turbo boost and the
"Z" button cycles through your weapons. Your
most vitally used buttons, however, are your
"R" and "L" shoulder buttons. In
order to become successful in the game, using these
properly is crucial. The term used is "air
brakes", and basically is used for tight turning.
Using the air brakes in conjunction with the analog
controller efficiently is the best way to keep your bike
rolling at top speed. One smack of a wall can slow you
down dramatically; thus losing your edge and
placeholder.
I'm a big supporter of the GameCube controller,
and love the controls in most part. The only exception
is the layout of the turbo button. It is awkward to hold
the "A" button in, and to keep your boost
going press the "X" button at the same time;
holding on to both. Not sure how I would change it; it
might have been a better option to use the "B"
button for your turbo.
Skittles on crack
The game is all about physics and speed. XG3 is
jam packed with both. The bikes have a nice feel to
them, and seem physically true to form (if they were
real). While many racing games lack a true sense of
speed, XG3 matches and exceed all
preconceptions. The game has an "edge of your
seat" urgency within it. Many games totally lack
this sensation, but XG3 is brilliantly accurate
in giving you the sensation of intense speed. Racing is
like a controllable roller coaster ride. Huge dips,
turns and wind-in-your-face speed.
You start off with a 250-G bike. The "250" is
the engine size. First timers will be impressed with the
speed factor, but just you wait. With up to a 1000-G
bike, speeds are nothing less than insane. The first
time I hit 750MPH I actually dropped the
controller. Breaking the sound barrier, whips you into
frenzy and you truly feel like you are in an F-14. As
mentioned, controlling these mini-rockets takes practice
and patience. After a few hours of good gaming, controls
become second nature and 90-degree turns can be taken at
full force (a la TRON).
Screenshots don't lie, but heavily dumb down the beauty
of the visuals from XG3. Tracks are highly
detailed, long and jaw dropping beautify. The
backgrounds are outstanding. The miniscule detail in
every nook and cranny has been addressed. I would have
guessed that with a game based on speed, would forget
the small details, but I was astonished to see how even
the slightest unnoticed pixel was framed perfectly for a
still shot picture.
If there is an issue about graphics it is the inevitable
hesitation at times. With graphics this gorgeous, and
speeds this fast I would have been shocked to see
a steady framerate. I was mostly impressed with the
attempt at 60-FPS, and for the most part it ran well at
that rate. However, when action tensed and speeds were
ungodly, it would sharply decrease to about 30-FPS.
Don't let the dramatic numbers slight you from the games
essence. The game runs well and you will be holding on
for dear life from the speed alone.
Acclaim recruited the alternative-techno sounds
from Ministry of Sound; which is a somewhat
"underground" "Moby-style"
type music. I was totally impressed by the five or six
songs produced for the soundtrack and is done very
professionally. The intensity from the techno-sound
matches frame by frame for the gameplay of XG3.
Soundtrack alone is memorable, and fitting for this type
of game. High kudos coming from someone who digs this
genre, but others might be turned away wanting some
edgier guitar riffs. The sound effects are plainly done,
and nothing worth noting... expect for the breaking of
the sound barrier. Worth the price of the game itself,
is the satisfying effect of breaking the speed of sound.
The slight echo, silence and mega-blast is very
rewarding and your grip on the controller will hold on
for dear life.
For those looking for multiplayer, the GameCube
version has something the PS2 does not (yee-haw!).
With up to four racers at one time, the split screen
racing is a total blast to play. Sure the graphics are a
bit dumbed down, not to mention the framerate; but still
is very enjoyable and a classic party game for GC
owners and their friends.
OUTRO
I put in a good two weeks into the game, and still pick
it up on occasion. This isn't one of those games that I
play for hours at a time, but more like in 15-minute
intervals. It's a great pick-up game that is just a
blast to play. One of the few games that I actually purchased
after renting; this should say a great deal about the
title.
Overall, I am satisfied with my experience and feel that
Extreme G Racing is a solid title and worth of at
least a rental. Sure I was a bit disappointed in
the longevity of the game with under a dozen tracks to
race, and the framerate loss wasn't truly an issue, I
still think this is a great game to pick up and play at
any given time. The tracks are drop-dead gorgeous, and
really shows the potential the GC has. Will the Cube
ever have a faster game than this? Not a chance. This is
the fastest feeling game I have ever laid
paws on.
If you are looking for a fun, adrenaline rushing title;
this is the game for you. If you are looking for a
realistic career type game such as Grand Turismo
this is definitely not for you. Imagine taking the fun
of F-Zero, multiply the speed times ten and throw
in some next-gen graphics, and you have XG3 Extreme G
Racing. Go get it.
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