Auto Modellista – PS2 – Review

Packed with exciting,
memorable races, Auto Modellista is more than just a pretty face.  Sure, it’s
got the gorgeous looks of a supermodel, and enough cool effects to keep your
eyes entertained for hours.  But underneath all that makeup is a deep,
less-realistic simulation racer that will have you sitting on the edge of your
seat.

Starting the game off
right, Capcom began Auto Modellista’s development by obtaining licenses from
most of the major car manufacturers: Dodge, Ford, Chevrolet, Toyota, Nissan,
Honda, Subaru, and one of my personal favorites, Mitsubishi.  Capcom also
licensed a couple of smaller companies (like Daihatsu), most of which should
be familiar to fans of the Gran Turismo series.

The cars were then placed
inside an extremely entertaining game.  Everything was developed with great
attention to detail, not just the graphics.  The track designs are quite
surprising.  Most of them have two laps or less, and some of them are shaped
more like the tracks of an off-road racer than a simulator.  (The starting
line does not intersect with the finish line — it’s just one jagged,
twist-and-turn-filled path.)  This may lead you to believe that the game is
short.  By Gran Turismo 3 standards, it is.  Very few games last that long! 
But by the standards of every other racing game, Auto Modellista is fairly
long.

Cruising around in a
Mazda Miata is not as smooth as you might expect.  The controls are good, but
a lot less realistic than other simulation racers.  The brake and acceleration
buttons are the ones to blame — both of them have pressure-sensitive
capabilities, but Auto Modellista didn’t bother to take advantage of that. 
Years ago, this wouldn’t have garnered a second thought.  Today, however, it
will catch the attention of many gamers.

To make a turn, it is
actually easier to take your foot of the gas and steer carefully than it is to
brake.  Braking in a turn will result in a realistic spin-out, but it just
doesn’t feel right to be able to turn easily just by not accelerating.  Being
able to decelerate would have made the cars’ handling seem so much more
realistic, but to have that you need to have button pressure sensitivity.

This minor setback is
quickly forgotten after about 20 minutes of play.  By that time, you will have
gotten used to how a car should be handled in this game, and you’ll begin to
figure out ways to use the track barriers (and your opponents) to your
advantage.  Opponents, for example, can make great cushioners when trying to
take a sharp corner too quickly.  No body damage is received from collissions;
the only penalty is a loss in speed.  That "penalty" can help you make it to
the finish line before your opponents.

Auto Modellista’s great
gameplay was enhanced even further by the cel-shaded graphics.  Although
somewhat of a gimmick early on in the technology’s life, cel-shading has
turned out to be a helpful tool that allows game developers to express their
creativity in a whole new way.  In this game, it’s almost as if Speed Racer
has come to life, became fully interactive and is a thousand times more
exciting.

The game is almost
entirely made up of 3D models, which were then covered in cartoony textures to
give them the unique look that we now have the privilege of seeing.  At top
speeds, white lines appear away from your car, helping to simulate the effect
of driving fast.

As the second most
beautiful cel-shaded game out there (Zelda
being first), it’s no surprise that Auto Modellista was developed with the
power of

Maya.  Best known for its use in movies like Star Wars (the first two
prequels), Maya has begun to make a huge name for itself in gaming.  Prior to
Auto Modellista, Polyphony Digital used Maya to make Gran Turismo 3 as
realistic-looking asp possible.

More important than
graphics, however, is the game’s replay value.  Auto Modellista packs lots and
lots of replay, especially if you have a broadband Internet connection. 
Broadband (cable, DSL, etc.) users can log onto Sony’s online gaming network
and enter races with up to seven other racers.  You must have Sony’s Network
Adaptor in order to play online, but that pretty much goes without saying for
broadband owners.

Sadly, narrowband
(dial-up) users cannot play Auto Modellista online.  The game’s speedy,
graphic-intensive gameplay cannot be processed fast enough for those who go
online using a standard 56k modem.  This makes Auto Modellista another reason
why gamers will want a Network Adaptor, and yet another reason for dial-up
users to get DSL.

Gameplay: 8.9
They say that
history repeats itself.  You know what?  I think "they" were right.  In the
spring of 2002, Microsoft released a racer that turned out to be one of the
best of the year.  Now spring 2003 is here, and Capcom has released Auto
Modellista, one of the best racing games I’ve played in months.  It’s not just
one thing that I love about this game; it’s the whole package.  The track
design deserves more than one note; the reward system is a nice; and while I
hate to continually bring it up, the graphics are really awesome.

Graphics: 9 
Wow!  First
Zelda, now Auto Modellista.  It’s a shame more cel-shaded games don’t look
this good.  Not only does cel-shading help to set Auto Modellista apart from
the crowd (most of which try to compete directly with Gran Turismo 3’s
realistic graphics), but it also enhances the gameplay experience.

As crazy as it sounds,
I’m curious to know what a cel-shaded version of Resident Evil would look
like…

Sound: 8
Auto Modellista’s
music is comprised of the usual instrumental rock and techno jingles, but
they’re much better (and less repetitive) than the music found in other
racers.  The sound effects are also quite good — just listen to those engines
from the inside-the-car view!  However, the announcer’s voice is annoyingly
energetic, and he repeats himself far too often.

Difficulty: Medium
Auto Modellista’s
learning curve isn’t steep enough to turn off real racing fans.  Most gamers
will be challenged by the game, but it’s unlikely that you’ll lose any hairs
over it.

Concept: 8 
Unique graphics
aren’t the only thing Auto Modellista can brag about.  It has excellent track
design, great speed and a nice way of making the player work to obtain cars
and upgrades.  Instead of racing the same cup over and over again to win
money, players must win them directly by winning specific races.

Multiplayer: 8.5
I don’t have
broadband Internet access, but based on the two-player split-screen mode, I
think it’s safe to say that the online multiplayer games are loads of fun.

Overall: 8.9
Auto Modellista
should automatically be on every racing fan’s wish list.  It’s got
everything a great racing game should have (good tracks, cars, etc.), and
plenty of cool cel-shaded effects to impress your bored eyes.

Want to know more
about Maya and its use in games like Auto Modellista and

The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker?  Then check out GameZone Online’s
interview with

Alias|Wavefront’s industry marketing manager, Geoff Foulds.