VIDEO GAME REVIEW Rally racing is re-created with realistic conditions
There's dirt, snow, sand, mud and wet leaves.
By MATT SLAGLE
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Rally racing is a test of focus and endurance that demands an expert balance between raw horsepower and precision driving. "RalliSport Challenge 2" for the Xbox does a great job of re-creating the challenge and exhilaration of this often chaotic racing style.
As in the real world, you'll have to contend with some rather unforgiving laws of physics over surfaces of tarmac, dirt, snow, sand and mud.
I was especially tested on the snow courses. I spent hours trying to strike a balance between acceleration, braking and sliding sideways into concrete barriers, stands of pine trees and other cars.
Crashes mimic real thing
The consequences of such crashes, while frequent and frustrating, at least mimic the real world: windshields shatter, doors and bumpers come flying off. You'll have a racing rig that doesn't steer, accelerate or brake very well if you crash too often.
There are limits to the realism. Pushing the boundaries a bit, I flipped my car on an embankment but found I could press a button and right it magically. And I was a bit disappointed my car didn't explode or even blow a tire after careering into a cement barrier at 100 mph. I suppose that would be a bit TOO real.
There's an energy to the sound and music which perfectly suits the game's bounding kinetic energy. Engines growl and whine, tires squeal and the accompanying music ranges from heavy metal to electronic.
There are five modes to choose from, including traditional rally, ice races and hill climbs.
During rally races, sound is critical: you'll need to carefully follow your co-pilot's "pace notes." These verbal commands tell you about unseen turns and obstacles seconds before you approach them, so pay close attention.
Driving felt precise using the Xbox controller. The right trigger button accelerates, while the left one brakes. You can select a manual transmission for more control, but those with real racing aspirations should consider a steering wheel accessory to get a truer sense of the road.
There are many rally cars available from manufacturers including Ford, Mitsubishi, Saab and Subaru. You can customize their performance by tweaking the tires, gear ratios, brake stiffness and suspension.
This $50 game approaches photorealism. Tearing up a tropical hillside, my car gradually became caked with mud as I negotiated the undulating course toward the finish line.
Driving along a foggy, rain-soaked road in autumnal England, my wheels kicked up yellowed leaves. The headlights cast such a realistic glow that subconsciously I was expecting deer to hop in front of me during night races.
Sense of speed
There's a real sense of speed as the world whirs past. Stop for a moment and you'll notice lots of excellent detail in each of dozens of courses spanning deserts, mountainsides, tropical jungles and misty forests.
There's full support for online Xbox Live play. Just be ready for a tough time.
Having completed the career mode, I felt tuned for battle against real people. The outcome, however, was a string of last-place finishes. I tried and tried, but the best I could muster was fifth place.
There are plenty of decent racing games on the Xbox. For an unbeatable rally racing game, though, "RalliSport Challenge 2" is hard to pass up.