There are some
sports that scream for video-game representation, and usually have reasonably
broad appeal. Then there are the games that are vastly popular but transferring
the tension and athleticism over to the video-game market is more of a challenge
than (perhaps) the sport itself.
Give credit to
Cyanide and Focus Home Interactive; they did try to bring the sport of cycling
(as in Tour de France cycling) to the PC, but the results are less than
satisfying. The game itself plays out like a chess match with pieces that move
along a reasonably static, though photorealistic backdrop.
Pro Cycling
Manager Season 2007 / Tour de France pretty much sums up exactly what this game
entails – you are the manager and thus responsible for contracts, equipment and
race strategy. Don’t worry if you don’t understand what you need to be doing –
there is a tutorial that will walk you through all that you need to be aware of.
The tutorial will teach you how to reposition a rider or protect your lead rider
with his teammates, how to reply to an attack (for those who do not know, it is
an attempted breakaway by another rider), how to force the pace of the team or
prepare for a sprint (by managing stamina, mostly), and concludes with a time
trial that is carefully monitored.
Other modes
include single player, in which you are responsible for all aspects of team
management, or you can hit a quick race feature (which does not impact your
career). There is a multiplayer element, but there never seemed to be anyone
online to play with, and a custom tour (which enables you to create your own
stage race with the creation tools provided).
One of the
biggest downfalls of the game, which will immediately strike players, is the
graphics. They are photorealistic, but you will see clipping problems all over
the place when riding in the pack, but the animations feel more mechanical than
fluid. The same goes for the environments. The sound features a lite jazz
musical score in the menu, which – while nice – does not exactly fit the
perception of an intense sporting event.
The way the
game works is that you have a team of riders. You can click on the name on the
side of the screen to select your rider and then issue commands to him. The
commands are context appropriate (to the race situation), so that does make it a
bit easier. But you can’t just have a rider sprint out and hope to maintain the
lead from the beginning of the race to the end. You have a stamina meter
attached to the rider’s name and you have to manage that so you have energy
reserves ready for the push at the end of the race. You can order other team
members to run interference for your frontrunner, which is what is known as
protecting the leader. As one can imagine, there are riders that are on teams to
do that rather than challenge for the yellow jersey.
While Pro
Cycling Manager tries, it just lacks the excitement and intensity that one
expects from a sports event. This is definitely a niche game that may have small
appeal to fans of the sport, but it is doubtful that those looking for a viable
racing title will find this compelling enough to play for any length of time.
|
|
Gameplay: 6.5
There are several
elements to the game that will have a small learning curve. Much of this is tied
to the technical nuances of the sport and managing your physical resources (like
stamina) to challenge when the opportunity for success is more pronounced. The
interface is accessible, though, and players should not have a difficult time
navigating the game.
Graphics: 6.5
Clipping problems
abound in this title and the animations are borderline. The photorealistic
quality is fine but it is lifeless.
Sound: 6.0
Nothing unique here.
The music is lite jazz in flavor and pleasant enough, but does not carry the
theme all that well.
Difficulty: Medium
Concept: 6.0
The game just feels
mechanical and not that interactive. It is tantamount to a game of chess and
while the interface is reasonably accessible, the lack of smooth animations and
environments that feel alive set the game back.
Multiplayer: N/A
The game does have a multiplayer element but each time the game was taken
online, there didn’t seem to be anyone to play with.
Overall: 6.0
This is a niche game
that might appeal to fans of the sport but will leave others feeling very
underwhelmed. The game is a cross between cycling and chess, but feels more like
the latter due to limp photorealistic graphics. If you are not a fan of the
sport, steer clear of this title.
