Sega Rally 2
Score: 70% ESRB: Everyone Publisher: Sega Developer: Sega Media: GC/1 Players: 1 - 4 Genre: Racing
Graphics & Sound: Sega Rally 2 is as real a racing game as I've seen on a console. Not only do the cars look great, but the tracks also look great. The outside of the cars look just as good as the inside. The gameplay graphics are smooth and just down right pretty. The sound track ain't bad either. The game looks and plays... real. Realistic graphics, smooth gameplay, and detailed tracks and backgrounds makes this one a great game to look at.
Gameplay: One word for you - check points. Okay, that's two words, but it really makes the game suffer, no matter how many words it is. Why take such a realistic looking game and mess it up with checkpoints? Man, why? With 4 modes of play, Timed Race; Championship Mode; Battle Mode; and Practice Mode, there are plenty of options to keep you busy; but still - checkpoints. The timed race is just that; try to break records. Nothing special there. The Championship Mode is nice and unique. You enter a ten-year career and try to take first in the polls. The Battle Mode is nothing more than a versus race. Another problem I have with the game is that there are only 19 basic cars and only 16 tracks to choose from. The cars are upgradeable, but there really aren't many options as far as cars and tracks go. One good thing about the cars is that each one handles differently - realistic to the way it would.
Difficulty: I wouldn't call it difficult - I would call it realistic. Each car handles like a real car. It's not hard to play; it just takes some getting used to. Oh yeah, it has check points, so it pretty much sucks as far as difficulty goes. Theoretically, you could be winning the race and still lose if you don't get to the point in time.
Game Mechanics: The game mechanics for Sega Rally 2 are unbelievable. It handles great, runs smooth, and is otherwise just fun. The cars handle great while still being easy enough to play with the standard controller. The good thing about the mechanics is that it was designed for the racing wheel. I felt the game looked and played great. Take out the check points, add more cars and tracks, and you have yourself a 10.
-Storm, GameVortex Communications AKA Jeremy Kelso
Sega GT Silver