Is it possible for a racing game to
survive on its physics, visuals and sensation of speed alone? If you were to
eliminate the intense crash sequences and unrelenting competitors of the Burnout
series, would it be the same? Would gamers have been enthralled by F-Zero and
Wipeout if they had failed to include more than a time trial competition? These
questions could be posed to any number of racing games and the answer would
always be the same.
That would make TrackMania the one
exception. It survives without racing game norms by making up its own rules.
High-speed races, exciting (and fairly unique) course designs, and decent D-pad
controls are just three of the reasons why Firebrand Games was able to take this
unusual concept – no matter what settings you choose for Race mode, a time limit
is your only competition – and churn out a game that is not only worth playing
but is also worth adding to your racing collection.
If you’ve played Race Driver: Create
& Race (or the DS version of GRID), high-end track editing is nothing new.
However, both of those games locked the track creation feature into a top-down
2D environment. It was generally simple and straightforward, but very low-key in
terms of its presentation.
Trying to one-up other racers,
TrackMania lets you build fresh courses with a real-time 3D view. Mechanically,
everything you expect (and most everything you’ll desire) is included: several
straight, curved and wavy pieces, plus ramps, speed boosts, speed traps (which
halts your engine) and numerous touch screen features that let you drag and drop
the pieces wherever you choose. Additional road spaces can be drawn onto the
screen, and when finished, all courses may be tested to prove their validity.
For the creative types, this
creation tool will let players expand on what the developers have presented.
More impressive than that, however, are the dozens of courses designed
specifically for this game. They range from slightly outrageous to
are-you-kidding-me!? Whereas Wipeout and F-Zero are all about speed, TrackMania
requires some deeper thought. Since you’re always racing against the clock (or
against a predetermined number of attempts), you might think that speed is the
number-one factor.
In truth, the most important thing
is how you tackle each course. Perfection isn’t required but you’ll think it’s
necessary most of the time, as the only way to progress through the game is to
win many bronze, silver and gold medals, which is very difficult. The good news
is that bronze and silver medals are awarded automatically just by winning gold;
thus, you won’t have to re-race the track to get each medal. The bad news is
that gold medals are frequently lost by a few seconds, often with the feeling,
“How could I possibly get through this course any faster?”
Part of this is due to intelligent
game design. These courses are more varied and more aggressive than anything
available for the DS. During the time trial events, it usually took me at least
two attempts just to get a medal. To score gold, it often meant having to play
through the course four or five times, if not more, just to memorize the layout,
master any jumps or sharp turns and perfect my speed consistency. Having the
ghost opponents turned on didn’t add much to the experience, primarily because
it’s possible to drive right through them (since they are ghosts based on
pre-set time limits, not actual opponents).
While more than half of the game’s
challenge is credited to excellent design, there is also a small part that must
be credited to developmental mistakes. TrackMania includes three different
environments: stadium, desert and rally. The latter two are difficult by
challenging the player’s skills. Stadium, however, is often challenging because
of visual confusion.
With numerous ramps and
air-suspended platforms, the stadium courses are like a futuristic NASCAR.
Unfortunately, it’s not quite the future you may envision. As with most racing
games, the camera cannot be spun around (like in Grand Theft Auto). So when you
come to the edge of a platform and nothing appears to be below it, what do you
do? Seriously – what is your next course of action?
That’s a question you’ll be faced
with all too often. The courses aren’t clear in their layout, and the fixed
camera view doesn’t help. Just when you’ve conquered one course, another – with
just as much frustration – must be overcome.
The Platform mode, while equally
challenging, feels more evenly developed. Its stadium courses are not nearly as
stressful; rather, they challenge the player with next-to-impossible objectives
and other feats that inspire dedication. The attempt-based goals are a nice
switch from the time trial challenge of the Race mode.
Puzzle mode provides yet another way
to play, combining elements of the track editor with the limitations of the
first two modes. You must build a course with a limited number of pieces and
then race through it as quickly as possible.
Finally, TrackMania offers one form
of vehicle-versus-vehicle competition: multiplayer. Opponents appear as
collision-free ghosts, which really sucks, but at least the outcome is based on
something other than a time limit.
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Gameplay: 8.0
Excellent courses, solid controls, decent replay value and an unforgiving
challenge make TrackMania a great racing game.
Graphics: 8.0
Gorgeous high-end visuals coupled with stellar track designs, both
structurally and architecturally.
Sound: 6.0
Nothing memorable from the music or sound effects.
Difficulty: Medium
One of the more challenging handheld racing experiences.
Concept: 7.5
Not a new concept, per se, but the time trial emphasis is certainly
different, as are the course designs.
Multiplayer: 7.5
The multiplayer is fun (and available in single- and multi-card formats for
up to four players), but the ghost opponent implementation prevents the game
from providing the intense, player-versus-player experience that a racing game
should deliver.
Overall: 8.0
A great racing game for the single player, TrackMania will keep you busy for
many hours. It doesn’t contain the best multiplayer, but if you love stunt
racers and understand the importance of track design (and how it outweighs
everything but the controls), this is definitely a racing game that belongs in
your collection.
