Developers - WOW Entertainment. Publishers - Sega Corporation. Released 2000
Sega GT is a driving simulator that was aimed at being a Gran Turismo beater. Or at least aimed at being on par with Playstation's car game/pornography. And in my opinion it succeeds. Granted this title drove straight past me ten years ago, and truth be told I had already had enough of 'real' driving games thanks to the Sony game but now after all these years I have picked up a copy of Sega GT for my collection and must say, I love it.
All the car makes are here, including Peugot, Suzuki, Subaru,Fiat and Honda, and they look the buisness too. Graphically this a very fine example of what the Dreamcast was capable of. (In fact I get the feeling this game wasn't running at full pelt and Sega's console was capable of so much more.) Still, everything looks lush from road shadows to whispy, moving clouds in the blue sky.
Of course before you can partake in any of the serious races you must first acquire a license. There is the B Class, A Class and SA Class to obtain in all and each will let you in to their relevant races. There are time trials to full blown championships to get stuck in to.
One particularly cool aspect of Sega GT is the corporate sponsorship of the championships (featuring, among others, McDonalds!) Win the tournament title and you'll earn more than just moolah and a fancy car; you'll bag a sponsor who rewards you further with great performances. The money is all well and good but the Golden Arches still hasn't gotten me my very own Big Mac vending machine.
When not racing for money (and burgers) you can pay a visit to your garage and upgrade your cars by fine tuning everything from fly wheels to pistons. Fans of the other driving simuluator will know what I mean here.
The only downside to Sega GT is during the early Club stages, the races are slow and as you can only afford a basic, un-souped up car you are forced to grind around the circuit feeling like you are steering an iron on wheels. But the game is only reflecting reality so no blame can really be applied to Sega GT.
Another great thing about this game is the music. Different races have different music styles so for example the dusty, desert circuit 'Deep Rock Road' has gentle country music in the background whilst 'Sky Peak Hill' has jazz. Its all a merciful release from having the likes of Ash belt out the same tedious track ad infinitum like they did on Gran Turismo.
Best news of all? It can be taken for a spin for the same price as a pint of beer so racing fans should have no excuses for not picking this up.
Jager Rating: 10 Jagerbombs !!
On 9th September 1999, Sega released a new console to an excited public, the now legendary Dreamcast. Many would argue the first in Next Gen visuals, and online gaming, the Dreamcast was overtaken by Playstation2 but never forgotten. To this day, a decade on, it is still a powerful force in the gaming world. This is my tribute to the console and games, where a poet becomes fanboy.
Tuesday 28 September 2010
Monday 27 September 2010
WWF Attitude
Developers - Iguana Entertainment. Publishers - Acclaim Sports. Release Nov 10, 1999.
As I have stated in my Royal Rumble review, I am not the biggest wrestling fan, but this is one WWF game I did go out and buy back in the day. It boasted so much depth of play for a sports title and had such bold looks that I couldn't resist. (That and I was wanting a break from action games for a bit.)
If you are a wresting fan then WWF Attitude cannot fail to excite. It has all the standard Exhibition and career modes and then a whole lot more. King Of The Ring events, Pay Per View events, you can even create your very own unique sweaty extravaganzas and design everything from lighting placements to event logos. Now thats depth!
New features included blood letting and the ability to play to the crowds and from the little I have watched of wresting, the chance to get those audiences hollering for you is a big part of the show. Also each wrestler entered the ring with their own unique entrances, that is the ones they use in real life. So far so good then.
I spent Saturday morning with this game and came away with the impression that while Iguana Entertainment has no doubt made a fine looking game with all the bells and whistles (or should that be bandanas and lycra?) it also has its share of downward pointing thumbs.
First off are the arenas themselves. Now while they look the buisness and have the official logos and fighters entrances, they 'feel' very small and not arena like at all. For instance you can hear single shouts of support for one wrestler, making it feel more like its being held in a pub than stadium. Commentary is dire too compared to the accomplished television style commentary we have got used to by the likes of Madden. At certain times one of the presenters giggles for no apparant reason which made me feel like I was being watched by a madman.
Each fighter has their own taunts too but personally with lines such as The Undertakers, 'children shouldn't play with demons,' I would feel more threatened by a tag team consisting of lambs and butterflies. And don't get me started on Kane, who for some inexplicable reason sounds like a toaster.
On the other hand the wrestling itself is done well and the slabs of muscle and lycra move about the ring as you would expect. No problems there. Also the moves (don't ask me to name any) seem to be cool enough and all in order. Saying that I did seem to get by simply sticking to using a kick and punch combo which tells me something is not quite right for a 'sport' that prides itself on wild, stylish manouvres.
So there you go, about as fair and unbiased review by a non wrestling fan as you're likely to get. And my gripes are only with the sounds, which aren't up to the games decent looks and scraps. Most fans of WWF will love this, especially with the depth of play and chance to set up their very own events. (If only we had a rugby game that did this.)
More good news is this sells for peanuts on auction sites and can be got for the price of a Sunday newspaper.
8 Jagerbombs.
As I have stated in my Royal Rumble review, I am not the biggest wrestling fan, but this is one WWF game I did go out and buy back in the day. It boasted so much depth of play for a sports title and had such bold looks that I couldn't resist. (That and I was wanting a break from action games for a bit.)
If you are a wresting fan then WWF Attitude cannot fail to excite. It has all the standard Exhibition and career modes and then a whole lot more. King Of The Ring events, Pay Per View events, you can even create your very own unique sweaty extravaganzas and design everything from lighting placements to event logos. Now thats depth!
New features included blood letting and the ability to play to the crowds and from the little I have watched of wresting, the chance to get those audiences hollering for you is a big part of the show. Also each wrestler entered the ring with their own unique entrances, that is the ones they use in real life. So far so good then.
I spent Saturday morning with this game and came away with the impression that while Iguana Entertainment has no doubt made a fine looking game with all the bells and whistles (or should that be bandanas and lycra?) it also has its share of downward pointing thumbs.
First off are the arenas themselves. Now while they look the buisness and have the official logos and fighters entrances, they 'feel' very small and not arena like at all. For instance you can hear single shouts of support for one wrestler, making it feel more like its being held in a pub than stadium. Commentary is dire too compared to the accomplished television style commentary we have got used to by the likes of Madden. At certain times one of the presenters giggles for no apparant reason which made me feel like I was being watched by a madman.
Each fighter has their own taunts too but personally with lines such as The Undertakers, 'children shouldn't play with demons,' I would feel more threatened by a tag team consisting of lambs and butterflies. And don't get me started on Kane, who for some inexplicable reason sounds like a toaster.
On the other hand the wrestling itself is done well and the slabs of muscle and lycra move about the ring as you would expect. No problems there. Also the moves (don't ask me to name any) seem to be cool enough and all in order. Saying that I did seem to get by simply sticking to using a kick and punch combo which tells me something is not quite right for a 'sport' that prides itself on wild, stylish manouvres.
So there you go, about as fair and unbiased review by a non wrestling fan as you're likely to get. And my gripes are only with the sounds, which aren't up to the games decent looks and scraps. Most fans of WWF will love this, especially with the depth of play and chance to set up their very own events. (If only we had a rugby game that did this.)
More good news is this sells for peanuts on auction sites and can be got for the price of a Sunday newspaper.
8 Jagerbombs.
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