06/05/01

System : Dreamcast

MSRP: Whatever the hell stores charge for it now....probably 19.95

Genre: Racin'

kudos \ ku"dos \ , n.

1. Respect given to a skilled individual 

2. Praise conferred for status achieved

3. Honor awarded to the ultimate winner

One thing throughout Sega's vaunted history that they have had luck with is racing games, whether it be older, more classic titles such as Hang-On or Out Run, up to the more modern day racers like Daytona USA and Ferrari F355 Challenge. Metropolis Street Racer finds its way nicely into that lineup and proves the game's tagline - it's not about how fast you drive, it's about how you drive fast.

The thing that sets this game apart from other racers is, as the definition at the top of this review states, is the Kudos System. By performing showy moves and by racing skillfully and effectively, you earn Kudos from other drivers and advance up the underground racing circuits. But it's a long, tough row to hoe with 25 chapters that stand in your way of becoming the best racer in the world.

Your selection of cars to do so is nice, with some very nice automobiles direct from Alfa Romero, Audi, Mercedes, Renault, Fiat and more. But you don't get to pour Daddy's bank account into it and just haul off with the keys, as you have to show that you can drive the car before you can race with it as the game tests you before you can stock the car in your garage.

And then the fun begins. Races take place in 3 major cities around the world, San Francisco-London-Tokyo, and progress through many different styles of racing, with a bit of gambling thrown in on the side. Y'see, you have to bet how good you'll do on laps to earn more Kudos and rank high enough to clear each chapter. Race well, see yourself get elevated in rank. Fail, and pull over to the curb and lick your wounds.

Graphically, the games cars are very well modeled and are a very nice touch to a game that is already in many ways classy in style. The frame rate could stand to be bumped up a notch or two, (especially when compared to the beautiful graphical tour de force known as Tokyo Extreme Racer 2) but it isn't anywhere near bad. The backgrounds that you race in are very well designed and you won't tire of seeing the same bland buildings and trees over and over. And since the game keeps track of time, if it's nighttime in California, it'll be nighttime in the game. A nice touch to go along with a pretty game.

Sonically, the game is VERY well done, as it tries to cover all bases with a well diversified soundtrack. Honestly, this is the first time I can remember hearing country in a video game. Jazz, rock, techno, hiphop and R&B are also spread out on the game's very cool and interesting pseudo radio station, complete with jabbering DJ's and commercials. The fact that all the DJ's have their accents to match wherever they're from (British accent's for London, Tokyo's speak Japanese, etc.) is a very well thought out maneuver. The cars themselves don't sound like lawn mowers, so that's good enough for me.

Controlwise, the game feels like most every other arcadey style racer Sega has put out, with a dash of sim thrown in for good measure. Cars feel noticeably different and not just in speed. The only thing I could fault is the handbrake being WAY too touchy. Other than that, it's fun to play and everything is easy to navigate. Other than the handbrake, the only other thing I could find to gripe about was a small thing involving the Kudos System and how it could be milked on certain races. It makes it a lot easier to advance, which is in ways a double edged sword, but not entirely all-encompassing.

Well, Sega's got another winner on their hands. Beautiful graphics, stylish presentation, lots of stuff to mess around with, and an all around good racer. Not to be missed, MSR guarantees a good time and is well worth the price of admission. Have fun, kids.

The Reverend Mofat Jones would like to remind each and every one of you to buckle up. It's the law, y'know.

-Mofat

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