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"Racing Games:: The Complete Package?"

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Thu 03/01/02 at 20:42
Regular
Posts: 787
I've always been one to praise RPG's, their potential seems incomparable and some of the RPG's we've seen over the years have truly ruled. But after a bit of thinking, I think the complete game can be of any genre. But one in particluar moreso than others - The Racing Game.

You might say there's nothing more linear, or that they're too limited, but essentially, that's a load of rubbish, because gamings main job is to provide pleasure, and other emotions... and there doesn't seem to be anything stopping games like Mario Kart and GT3 provoking these emotions.

If we take GT3, which most will call the best racer around, we can see what the game offers straight from the outset: Fast-Paced adrenaline rushing action, envy of a better driver, exploration of the tracks and combination of car addons and power-ups. Just because you can't see the upgrade, doesn't mean it isn't there. And just because the game might be samey, doesn't mean it can't have good replay value... In fact, come to think of it, I find myself seeing a lot of the N64/PSX era game ideas in the newer games. I see so much of Banjo in Jak and Daxter, and I can't look at Dark Cloud and not see Zelda 64!

But where as some racing games might look the same, or even be sequels or continuations of a franchise, most of them are more unique, especially seeing as they don't normally have storylines to direr themselves from each other!

I know RPG and adventure games are all about the ultimate adventure, and how they're so absorbing, but there are some things that they don't provide so well... such as replay value, continuous excitement, and any decent amounts of realism. You can always flaw a genre flat on it's face if you mention a certain thing... it's normally something the game just can't provide because of the genre. Well, whatever it is, it'll be enough to hinder the genre's chances of being able to hold the perfect game.

Most people, including me, still go on about how RPG's rule and that they're the best genre... in fact, I posted a topic about it, but if you look at it simply, any genre has it's strong and weak points... But for the record, the racing genre is no lack-lustre, low-feature flop. It has:

Excitement
Longetivity
Multi-Player Options
Customisable Features
Humour (Mario Kart etc)
Option for Decent Graphics
Potential for Good Sound
The option for a Realistic or Unrealistic Look / Feel
Ability to attract a Wide Audience
Lots of Characters / Vehicles
Futuristic or Past Setting
Modern-Day sponsors and real-sports

... But to name a few!

So if you don't think you like racing games, or think they're not worth the money, LOOK AGAIN, you might just not be looking in the right direction - Not every racing game has great graphics, realistic sound and Castrol stickers all over it!


Game
Fri 04/01/02 at 00:43
Regular
"Eff, you see, kay?"
Posts: 14,156
I challenge you to a duel!
Fri 04/01/02 at 00:36
Regular
Posts: 15,579
Lol, i was the sega rally king on the machine i used. I had the top ten times for completing it :D

I knew every corner of every track off by heart.
Fri 04/01/02 at 00:24
Regular
"Eff, you see, kay?"
Posts: 14,156


There used to be an arcade called Centre4 in Leeds. They had all the latest machines, and a Quasar. Every now and again, they held "all-nighters" for members. I only went once, but on these events they had free Quasar every 30mins and all the machines were on free play. This was the first time had ever played Sega Rally and I was undefeated all night, and had about 20 races! In the words of Eddie:

"I came, I saw, I kicked some boot-ay!"
Thu 03/01/02 at 23:52
Regular
Posts: 15,579
I love my Racing games. Probably one of my fave genres. I dunno, maybe i just like the speed rush.

Before i thought it was the fact i could do somthin that i cant do in real life. But i've got a driving license now and i still love playing racing games.

Sega rally is still one of my faves. proper class. Mainly played it in the arcade. Must have spent about £50 on that game. Then there is Daytona...again class...especially 6 player in the arcade :D

Come to think of it, they are probably the best arcade games. Easy to get into, and great multiplayer.
Thu 03/01/02 at 23:43
Regular
"Eff, you see, kay?"
Posts: 14,156
YEY!

In fact, I have a disturbing lack of racers on my PS2. All I've got it GT3, Burnout and GTA3. Hmm, need more.

However, as much as I like racers, I have to disagree with you here, although I haven't decided yet on what point. I just don't think that a racer can be the "perfect game", if any game could be perfect anyway. They're just too limited. In, say, a platformer or adventure game, there's massive scope. However, all you do in racers (with some exceptions) is race. Somehow for me a game where you just do one thing can't be a perfect game no matter what genre it is. It's just too specialist.

However, number 2 on my All Time Top 5 games is WipeOut 2097!
Thu 03/01/02 at 20:42
Regular
"Fishing For Reddies"
Posts: 4,986
I've always been one to praise RPG's, their potential seems incomparable and some of the RPG's we've seen over the years have truly ruled. But after a bit of thinking, I think the complete game can be of any genre. But one in particluar moreso than others - The Racing Game.

You might say there's nothing more linear, or that they're too limited, but essentially, that's a load of rubbish, because gamings main job is to provide pleasure, and other emotions... and there doesn't seem to be anything stopping games like Mario Kart and GT3 provoking these emotions.

If we take GT3, which most will call the best racer around, we can see what the game offers straight from the outset: Fast-Paced adrenaline rushing action, envy of a better driver, exploration of the tracks and combination of car addons and power-ups. Just because you can't see the upgrade, doesn't mean it isn't there. And just because the game might be samey, doesn't mean it can't have good replay value... In fact, come to think of it, I find myself seeing a lot of the N64/PSX era game ideas in the newer games. I see so much of Banjo in Jak and Daxter, and I can't look at Dark Cloud and not see Zelda 64!

But where as some racing games might look the same, or even be sequels or continuations of a franchise, most of them are more unique, especially seeing as they don't normally have storylines to direr themselves from each other!

I know RPG and adventure games are all about the ultimate adventure, and how they're so absorbing, but there are some things that they don't provide so well... such as replay value, continuous excitement, and any decent amounts of realism. You can always flaw a genre flat on it's face if you mention a certain thing... it's normally something the game just can't provide because of the genre. Well, whatever it is, it'll be enough to hinder the genre's chances of being able to hold the perfect game.

Most people, including me, still go on about how RPG's rule and that they're the best genre... in fact, I posted a topic about it, but if you look at it simply, any genre has it's strong and weak points... But for the record, the racing genre is no lack-lustre, low-feature flop. It has:

Excitement
Longetivity
Multi-Player Options
Customisable Features
Humour (Mario Kart etc)
Option for Decent Graphics
Potential for Good Sound
The option for a Realistic or Unrealistic Look / Feel
Ability to attract a Wide Audience
Lots of Characters / Vehicles
Futuristic or Past Setting
Modern-Day sponsors and real-sports

... But to name a few!

So if you don't think you like racing games, or think they're not worth the money, LOOK AGAIN, you might just not be looking in the right direction - Not every racing game has great graphics, realistic sound and Castrol stickers all over it!


Game

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