It’s quite easy to
overlook a game considering the fact that certain games receive more coverage
and even more marketing campaigns than others do. This is unfortunate, really,
since die-hard gamers miss out on that rare gem of a game that’s fun enough to
be a part of a gamers growing library of titles. It’s also easy to dismiss a
good game based on the cover alone and Smash Cars, from Metro3D, is such a
game.
Fans of RC cars and racing
games will find that Smash Cars manages to present a game that satisfies the
craving of racing a collection of RC cars across various racing terrains. The
game begins by going through a tutorial that does a good job of introducing the
controls and the various tricks and objectives you’ll find in Smash Car’s game
modes. The game’s single player experience has three modes: Quick Race,
Championship, Stunt Race and Special.
The main mode of playing
the game is Championship mode, which takes a racer through a series of races
complete with a qualifying time, position and a cash prize used to upgrade your
RC car. This is also the mode to play if you want to unlock new RC cars (there
are up to thirteen in total) and racing tracks. The environments are
wonderfully huge and filled with things to interact with and use to your
advantage. In the tropical paradise stage, for example, you can ram your
opponents into the blue waters of the ocean and thus taking the lead. The only
consequence of this is that the other racers can do the same to you.
Special mode features a
collection of game modes such as Smash Drive, Dark Horse, Hot Pot and Time
Attack. Among these modes, Time Attack allows you to run an entire race then
try to beat the “ghost” image of yourself to beat your first timed run. These
modes add to the replay value and keep the game brilliantly interesting.
There’s also a multiplayer option that allows you to go up against a friend in a
split-screen competition that includes two extra race modes.
Smash Car’s controls are
the kind you can simply pick up and start playing. It’s surprising to find that
the RC cars drive just like the real thing in that they reverse the same way,
accelerate and even get easily tipped over by heavy gravel or too many bumps on
the road. The RC cars have the ability to jump and can even be propelled
forward thanks to the handy boost button. While authentic as this all must
seem, these things might irritate those players not use to controlling vehicles
that flip over on their side too easily and too quickly.
The game’s faults–which
this game only has a slight few–are quite noticeable. The races can seem a bit
simplistic in nature and could also seem a bit monotonous after the fourth
race. The camera can sometimes hinder you from spotting the perfect shortcut or
missing the next sharp turn. Smash Cars is also wonderfully fast and so are the
computer-controlled opponents that do make the same mistakes you make . . . only
not as often. There is also the option to spend your winnings on upgrades for
such things as engines and tires, but the changes are only evident in the boost
upgrades.
Those gamers that feel
that graphics are everything will not be satisfied by the visuals in Smash
Cars. While it is not a gorgeous-looking game, the graphics are adequate enough
and might even bring a smile to your face since it does feature some pretty
comical sights. The massive racing environments are chock full of details you
can interact with during the race. And the RC cars themselves look really great
(especially when they pick up speed and kick up dirt) and just as finely
detailed.
Unfortunately, the sound
found in this game will rank up there with the very worse. The soundtrack is
composed of techno music that really doesn’t get a player’s groove on nor does
it suit the RC racing theme. Apart from the mediocre tunes, the sound effects
are pretty average considering the fact that the game throws so many obstacles
at the player. The motorized bum of the RC cars is done right but that’s what
you’ll hear more of throughout the race. And what little good environmental
noise you’ll hear–such as the chime of a child’s tricycle or barking dog–sound
rather muffled. In short, this is an example of how not to do audio in a game.
The little technical
problems this game suffers from are not enough to conceal the addictive RC
racing fun Smash Cars offers. While it’s not the most prettiest game, the
game’s solid pick-up-and play gameplay and wonderfully interesting racing action
are what really counts and the game is fun enough to consider a purchase or at
least a rental . . . just don’t overlook this really fun game.
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#Reviewer’s |
Gameplay: 7.0
Anyone who has ever picked up an
actual RC racing car controller and raced one of those expensive little toys
will be surprised to see that the RC cars in this game feel like the real
thing. The racer cars speed along like authentic RC racer cars and even have
trouble making certain bumps and turns. You can also go in reverse. In short,
the game does a fantastic job of giving gamers the impression that they are
controlling a real RC car. It’s also good to see a racing game with a lot of
racetrack to cover and Smash Cars certainly delivers on this front.
Graphics: 7.6
While not entirely impressive, the
graphics found in Smash Cars are adequate enough to enjoy the various race
course scenery whether its on a tropical beach or a sterile military base. The
RC racing cars do look nicely detailed and look even more wonderful kicking up
dirt speeding up into the air. The environments themselves are packed with all
kinds of details that do a great job of distracting players, although the
annoying PS2 jaggies are quite an eyesore.
Sound: 5.0
The sound is quite possibly one of
the worst audio experiences found in a game. With some pretty average tunes
that play throughout the race, there isn’t anything in the soundtrack that would
have you tapping your foot to the rhythm of the poor quality techno beats. Even
worse, the sound effects featured here are not as exciting as it should be
considering all the environmental details the game piles on the screen. The
dominant sound is the buzzing of the RC cars that do manage to sound like
authentic RC cars.
Difficulty: Medium
Smash Cars throws a number of
obstacles in your path and many of them are centered on the environment. For
starters, you must deal with the bumps and debris found in each racecourse that
can quite easily throw your car off the path or flip your car. Secondly, there
is the danger of getting your car chewed up by an angry dog, get shot by a
soldier or get kicked by an annoyed beachgoer. And finally, there’s the
computer-controlled opponent that do make plenty of errors during the race but
are intelligent enough to keep up with you. All of these things and the
required qualifying time make for a seriously challenging race.
Concept: 7.5
With up to thirteen RC racing cars
that vary from the bulky monster truck-types to the fast and sleek racers, Smash
Cars does a great job of allowing you to feel the difference between each
vehicle even though they all control the same way. Monster trucks, for example,
seem to withstand more bumps than the sleek racing cars but does not go as
fast. The game also allows gamers to win the race anyway they can, even if it
means taking shortcuts or smashing a fellow racer into a body of water.
Multiplayer: 8.0
What is a racing game without a
multiplayer option? Smash cars has a split-screen multiplayer mode that only
includes two players, but this is certainly nothing to complain about seeing as
the screen is already too cluttered as it is and there are plenty of racing cars
and race courses to choose from in the selection menu. The game allows you to
race a friend in Quick Race, Stunt Race, Smash Drive and the Hot Pot
competitions. And to add to these modes, there are some extra races such as
Ultra Race and Final Countdown (where racers collect a number of stars for every
lap they win).
Overall: 7.5
There’s a flipside to every coin and
the same can be said about games. For the one part, Smash Cars has a very small
number of glaring faults, but on the other side these problems don’t distract
from the overall enjoyment this game provides. Smash Cars is a fun racing game
with a lot to offer fans of the genre and it is certainly worthy of the bargain
purchase price. Pick this one up if you’re in the mood for a good RC racing
title with a great sense of humor.
