ATV Quad Power Racing 2
Score: 85% ESRB: Everyone Publisher: Acclaim Developer: Acclaim Media: GCD/1 Players: 1 - 2 Genre: Racing
Graphics & Sound: Blending graphics and gameplay has been an issue since day one in the video game industry. ATV Quad Power Racing 2 does a pretty good job by keeping up the speed of the game with graphics that may not be the best, but certainly no slouch either. Each large track contains everything from forests to beaches, as well as water and ice. ATV 2 also comes packed with seven licensed music tracks, including music from the Rollins Band and Godsmack. In-game sound fx are also set up pretty well, whether you're hitting the dirt or giving the boot to the rider next to you.
Gameplay: Although ATV Quad Power Racing 2 doesn't really have any truly special modes of play, it does have the basics, and those basics are very well done. In the single-player aspect, you'll be able to duke it out on single tracks and a Championship Mode, as well as bust tricks in Freestyle mode. My favorite part of ATV 2's modes, however, is the Challenge Mode, where you'll have to take on different obstacle courses on a quest of unlocking new players in the game. Multiplayer modes are pretty much the same, but you get the added bonus of taking your best bud to school on any number of tracks. Tracks included in ATV 2 range in difficulty, and include almost any type of terrain imaginable. While busting it up on sand and snow, you'll also be able to pull off sick tricks that will lead to an increase in speed boost power, which will come in very handy as you make it through each stage of the game. The problem is that pulling off tricks in ATV 2 isn't as easy as in most games. It takes precise timing, and a lot of patience in learning how to accomplish this. Another racing feature in the game is the ability to also 'bump' your competition off the track. As an opponent gets near your side, you can kick your way to victory. Maybe not a realistic way of racing, the after effects are somewhat based on a real-life situation. You have to be careful when you kick, because for a short time after knocking your opponent off his or her bike, you may get tangled and pulled off the track yourself.
Difficulty: As you progress through the Championship Mode, your opponents will gradually get more difficult. When you first pop the game in, you'll no doubt be able to have a pretty easy ride through the first championship. After you unlock the second though, the competition gets a bit tougher. You'll soon find out that learning to trick becomes an integral part of winning. You'll get a taste for tricks in the game's tutorial mode, but it'll be up to you to implement these tricks as you race.
Game Mechanics: ATV Quad Power Racing 2's controller scheme is very straight-forward, making it easy for anyone to jump right into the action. The only problem is that pulling off tricks is, well, tricky. It takes very precisely timed button-presses to trick properly. Busting a single trick is no big deal maybe, but when you try to combo, you'll likely run into problems with either not getting the tricks off in time, or your four wheeler getting off balance, resulting in a crash. It's unfortunate that ATV 2 lacks many of the extras that some other games have, but the core game is definitely well done. The Challenge Mode is probably one of the best features of the game. It is very addicting, and not all that easy. When it comes to racing, either by yourself, or with a friend, the biggest keys are to learn to trick, and also to learn the tracks themselves (Hint: look for subtle shortcuts). ATV Quad Power Racing 2 is definitely worth a rent if you're into racing games, and possibly worthy of buying.
-Woody, GameVortex Communications AKA Shane Wodele
NCAA Final Four 2001 Dead to Rights