Project Gotham Racing 2

By tundraShepard

Preamble

I do not like Microsoft; I am a linux man. I do not like gaming consoles, a PC is much more powerful and versatile than any system designed with singularity in mind.

These were not merely opinions, but rather universal truths for me until as late as last week.

I bought an Xbox to convince myself that it was indeed nothing special; over the last three days I have been playing ‘Project Gotham Racing 2’ which came as part of the Xbox package I picked up for a relatively reasonable price.

In the process I found myself slowly integrating with the revelation that has destroyed the archaic paradigms I once believed in so whole heartedly.

Having once held such strong prejudice against everything the Xbox represents and has to offer, it is in a bitter-sweet frame of mind I am writing this review. Moreover, I understand that ‘Project Gotham Racing 2’ is by no means a new game.

While it has probably been reviewed many times, I think it is important to enlighten those who are in the same situation I was late last week. I offer a partially skeptical perspective, and seeing as ‘Project Gotham Racing 2’ (PGR2) is a common ingredient in today’s X-box package – it seems like the intelligent thing to do.

First impressions
There are a number of different playing modes, which I found a little intimidating to begin with. In a moment of panic, I accidentally mashed the ‘Instant action’ option and immediately found myself in a very fast car, weaving on and off a track I have never seen before somewhere in Stockholm.

It came as some relief that the numerous options available do exactly what they imply, no ambiguity anywhere which is refreshing. I was also relieved that I did not personally own the Porsche I had successfully mangled beyond recognition in my introductory race.

Modes of play
The ‘Kudos world challenge’ is where things get interesting. There are a number of classes including: the compact sports class, sport utility class, classics class, and the ultimate class.

Each contains a group of cars that are both comparable amongst themselves, and superior to those belonging to the previous group. Moreover, there are a number of tracks and events that must be completed in order to progress to the next class.

Cars must be unlocked by exchanging Kudos tokens. Acceleration, top speed and handling are amongst important characteristics when unlocking cars. It is tempting to unlock the fastest car available, but depending on the track and assigned task – often it is better to select a car with superior acceleration or handling; it is too embarrasing to admit how long it took to arrive at this realisation!

The tasks I have encountered so far include, but are not limited to exceeding speed camera threshold; which I seem to do easily in real life- but struggle with in PGR2, diving through cones (sounds easy right…?), as well as good ol’ fashioned all out racing.

You set the difficulty for any task ranging from novice (yawn) through to expert (@#$%!). There are five difficulty levels in all, so you can maximise your enjoyment and challenge rather than becoming frustrated.

If you feel like subjecting yourself to some serious humiliation, you can take on awesome players via XboxLive.

Kudos
Kudos is essentially earned by driving like a disgruntled courier running behind schedule and pumped up on too much coffee + lift plus. Sliding around corners in a cloud of burning rubber, driving up someone’s exhaust pipe only to cut them off at the first corner you encounter, and general erratic behaviour seem to be most effective.

The amount of kudos earned calculated on your driving style, lap time, and difficulty setting.

This all sounds overly complicated, but in essence here’s what you do: earn kudos > unlock cars > complete races and events > progress to the next class. Having heaps of fun as well as trials and tribulations in the process goes without saying.

Gameplay:

This is reminiscent of any arcade style racing game; graphics of tracks, their surroundings and cars is something to behold. There is fluid integration between your controller and the action unfolding on screen in either first or third person perspective.

Instead of having an arcade machine eat $2 every time you mess up a race, just push start to try again. My Xbox has already paid itself off under this philosophy, and its all from the comfort of my own home to boot! Surely this must provide additional motivation for those who are still contemplating Xbox ownership.

The Xbox has a huge advantage as far as track and car selection goes. There are also additional events (i.e, cones, speed cameras etc) besides all out racing that I have not seen in arcade equivalents. Add this to the power of Xbox Live, and suddenly visions of derelict game parlours spring to mind.

The sound effects department is somewhat lacking – but hey, racing enthusiasts and purists would applaud the engine revving anti-frivolous approach.

Durability
The number of cars available and tracks on which to race them is incredible. Owning a Morris Minor myself, it is particularly rewarding to gain some insight as to how more sporting cars may perform.

Sometimes I find myself in Sunday driver mode, admiring newfound scenery after unlocking a new track or two. At others I take full advantage of driving like a mad thing in an environment that enforces no ‘road rules’ of any description.

Racing against gost cars or online adversaries ensures you will never be lacking a solid challenge.

Any way you look at it, there’s more than enough action to keep you fuelled for months to come.

Conclusion
Admittedly, driving a car really fast around a track seems pretty pointless. However, it did not take long before I was on the edge of my seat, willing as much as driving my cars to victory. Charged with tension and adrenaline, the chair becomes optional under more challenging race conditions. Ready the towel – for ravenous drooling is inevitable.

Ever wanted to run a Ferrari off the road, or ram a Jaguar with your Ford Focus? Would you like to pull a few burn-outs in an Audi, or dive a Lexus on the wrong side of the road – in reverse? If the answer to any of these questions is ‘yes’ this is the game for you.

In fact, if you have ever driven or been in a car – this is a must have title.

My rating: 8 pedestrians out of 10.