Split/Second
Split/Second is a fun, fast-paced arcade racer. The game is structured like a TV show. There are 12 episodes, and each episodes have 4 events available to start, 1 bonus event and the Elite Race. Of course the objective is to win events to win credits so you can race in the Elite Race. And events get intense.
In races and most events, you are given control of areas around the track in which you can use to wreck your opponents. They can range from simple dump trucks running into their way to an entire building falling down on top of them, or a ship exploding all around them. You can also use these to unlock shortcuts and different paths to take on the track. The opponents can also do these things. Near misses are exciting!
Sound and graphics are incredible. It feels like a Jerry Bruckheimer movie. Gameplay is easy to learn and play. Car customization is limited to only changing of paint colors though.
Match types:
- Race: Field of 8. Drift, draft, and jump to build your power meter to set off destruction and take out your opponents.
- Survival: Outlast your opponents. This event can range from a normal race type in survival mode to having a semi trailer truck spilling explosive barrels out the back of the truck that will dish out the damage.
- Destruction: Race against the clock. Powerplays will automatically be detonated around you. Avoid the explosions and track to beat the clock.
- Airstrike: A fricken chopper is firing missiles at you. Avoid the missles to earn points through combos. Beat the opponents scores to win.
Also, there's a version of airstrike where you build up your powerplay meter so you can knock the missiles back at the chopper. Take out the chopper to finish. Best time wins.
There's 2-player split screen local and 8-player online multiplayer. It plays about the same as single player, plus Live's attitude problems.
Bottom Line: It's just plain fun.
Blur
The first disappointment I noticed about Blur was the lack of "Song 2" in the game. In fact, none of Blur's music is in the game. I felt like this is a rip off and false advertising. Well, think about it. Look at the logo for
Blur the band. Now look at the logo for
Blur the video game. I rest my case.
Ok, seriously on to the game. Going into it, I was told that this game was a cross between Project Gotham Racing and Mario Kart. And is it? Yes. Well, sort of.
In this game, you race, do time trials, checkpoint races, Destruction races, etc in order to make enough lights, fans, experience and points so that you can take on the area challenger.
Lights are basically medals. You get 5 lights (gold medal) for winning a race, 4 (silver) for 2nd, and 3 (bronze) for 3rd. Fans can be gained by driving well, knocking other drivers around and wrecking sh.... stuff.
And for that you get power-ups. Here's where the game gets like Mario Kart. You have sections of the track that power-ups are laid about. Unlike Mario Kart, you see exactly what you're picking up before you do. No roll of the dice. Here are your power-ups:
- Shunt - Red shell. This blast will chase a car in front of you, or behind you until it hits it, or it is taken out.
- Barge - A ring around your car knocks all cars around you out of the way.
- Mine - Banana Peel. You can lay it on the track to take out a vehicle behind you or fire it ahead and hope they hit it.
- Shock - Closest to a Blue Shell. It shoots energy balls onto the track ahead of whoever is in 1st place. They remain there for a little bit and if hit, slow the driver down.
- Nitro - Mushroom. Gives a boost of speed.
- Bolt - Gives you three high-speed shots to take at foes or to use as defense against other power-ups. You can shoot them all at once or one at a time.
- Shield - Shields from all damage and power-ups.
- Repair - All power-ups and accidents cause damage to your car. Losing all your car's armor will lose you a race quickly. Repair repairs your armor.
Note: The power-ups aren't as powerful as the power-ups in Mario Kart. Knocking another car out of the way with a Shunt will only cause him to lose a half-a-second or so. Don't expect them to spin out and give you time to catch up. So I hope you're keeping it close.
So is it fun? Single player campaign can really be challenging. AI racers rarely make mistakes on medium difficulty, so unless you can keep a race close, winning is hard to do. Especially 1-on-1. Gaining fans allows access to more cars and as you defeat main challengers, you obtain their cars too. Unlike Split/Second, there is more room for customizing your car, if that's what you're into.
I didn't get to play much multiplayer. The game boasts 4-player split screen multiplayer as well as online 20-player matches. This can get pretty chaotic as everyone is firing everything at everyone. Wow! But there is also team races and battle modes on 10-player races. These were more fun.
Unfortunately, I didn't get the pleasure of playing with friends. I'm sure I would have enjoyed multiplayer more, as I used to when I played Mario Kart in high school and college.
Bottom line: The game is ok. It's not as addictive and exciting as Split/Second was. After a couple of races, I felt a bit tired of the game and had to take a break. If you're looking for a fun combat racer, stick to Mario Kart or pick up Split/Second.
Verdict: I can't help but love Split/Second here. I haven't found a racing game this fun in a very long time.