Crazy Taxi
Score: 90% ESRB: Teen Publisher: Acclaim Developer: Sega Media: GCD/1 Players: 1 Genre: Miscellaneous
Graphics & Sound: This is the same Crazy Taxi we've been playing since it appeared on the Dreamcast back in '99. From the blurry textures to pop-up, its all here. The cities, cars, and people all look just as they always have. Don't get me wrong, this is not a bad looking game by any stretch of the imagination, but after playing through Wave Race or Rogue Leader, you can't help wanting more from the visuals. The only difference here is that there is no slowdown. Not to say the Dreamcast and PS2 versions chug along, but the GC version just feels faster. Sound is the same - well almost. You still get the same Bad Religion and Offspring songs, but for some reason or another the character voices have been changed and sound very muted and mumbled.
Gameplay: By now, I am sure most gamers are familiar with the concept of Crazy Taxi. You are one of four cabbies driving around the city breaking every traffic law in the book (and some that have yet to be written) in order to gain as many fares as possible. The two cities featured in the game are huge, and no matter how many times you go through them, there is always another fare or shortcut right around the corner. Red fares want short trips, yellow a little farther, and green usually want to traverse the city. So get movin' guys - the meter is running! The main game takes place in either Original and Arcade modes. Arcade mode features the city from the arcade game (duh... :)) and the Original features a completely different city. While both modes are a lot of fun, they can get old fast. But when they do, you can always retire to the nine mini-games of Crazy Box mode. The best way to sum up Crazy Box? Addictive as hell, especially for people who have to have the highest scores in everything.
Difficulty: Crazy Taxi is a snap to pick up and play. It does take a little time to get used to the layout of the city and learn all the little time saving tricks, but before long you will find yourself speeding through the cities with no problems at all. Crazy Box also offers quite a few challenges and even though some will feel a little too hard, I guarantee right after you curse out the game you'll say '...okay, let me try one more time.'
Game Mechanics: There is no better way to say it other than the GC controller, no matter how wacked out it looks, is perfect for Crazy Taxi. Actually, I found myself liking the control of this version way more than either the DC or PS2 versions. Everything feels like it's in the logical, natural place. For those who don't like the controls, you can change them in the Options menu. Crazy Taxi on the GC is just as good as the versions that have come before it. But no matter how great it looks and feels, I still cannot shake the 'been there, done that' feeling it gave me. If you have access to any of the other versions of the game, then obviously there is no reason to run out and pick up this version. However, for people who have yet to experience Crazy Taxi, here is your chance to see what the fuss is about.
-Starscream, GameVortex Communications AKA Ricky Tucker
Burnout Dark Summit