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Championship Surfer (DC)
by thole09 "Championship Surfer" is a stunt based sports video game. It was first released for the Sega Dreamcast in 2001 by Mattel. In the United States, the game received a guidance rating of "E" which deemed it appropriate for all ages. Surfing games are few and far between on most modern gaming consoles. In ... comparison to other "extreme" sports, surfing seems to be lag behind in favour of more popular events such as skateboarding and BMX biking. This title handles similarly to the aforementioned pursuits, and pits the player at the helm of a professional surfer and his surfboard. Through a grand total of seven different gameplay modes which are spread across 10 beaches, it is the player's objective to execute a series of stunts and tricks to accumulate points and satisfy any mode specific objectives. The bulk of the gaming experience is found in the title's "Championship" mode which fuses the time attack and arcade exhibition modes together. In it, players must progress through a ladder-style ranking system based on trick performance within certain time limits or based on accuracy as calculated by a judging panel. Players may also access more suitably "arcade" modes such as "Rumble". Here, players are matched up against one computer opponent and must attempt to remove him from his surfboard by collecting power ups and attack items within the waves. The stunt based video game legacy is typically known for its high learning curve, and Championship Surfer is something I found to be particularly difficult in this respect. Timing seems to play a crucial role in trick execution as quickly maneuvering the surfboard while airbourne lowers one's accuracy rating which rewards a lower score, and similarly taking too long to execute a trick often results in the surfer plummeting into the depth of the water. In the early stages of the video game I found the ultra high sensitivity to be very hard to master, and even today still find myself struggling to perfectly time an intricate and graceful move. This usually makes for a frustrating experience and after several losses per gaming session I hastily remove the game disc and replace it with something more suitable for an average skill level. The graphics are presented from an isometric perspective which initially focuses as a side scroll but will automatically adapt to suit certain maneuvers and situations such as paddling towards the high tide. I didn't find myself all that interested in the visual presentation of this video game. Many times I found myself losing track of my surfer's position within the wave as the object seems to envelope itself over the scene. This creates a funnel-like white curtain which masks the surfer completely. It's often necessary to guide the surfer out of this to a seemingly calmer portion of the wave, and this brings the surfer back into view. The images are otherwise standard fare and are what I would have expected before loading; blue waters, sandy beaches, and tropical accents such as palm trees. The soundtrack was somewhat appropriate for this video game though its lively techno nature seems more suitable for a racing title as opposed to something requiring precise focus such as this. Sound effects are limited, and are concentrated solely on the white noise hiss of the waves and infrequent overlaying commentary which compliments the player's performance. Stunt enthusiasts may find themselves at home on Championship Surfer. It is certainly something geared for an expert skill level player. Despite its visual faults it is something I would recommend to those interested in the finer points of trick and stunt performance video games. Those dabbling in the genre may want to give this a miss, though, as it is likely the very high learning curve may send players back to shore for an easier game. Read the complete review |
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Suzuki Allstare Extreme Racing (DC)
by thole09 "Suzuki Alstare Extreme Racing" is a motorbike racing video game. It was first released for the Sega Dreamcast in 1999 by Ubisoft. In the United States, the game received a guidance rating of "E" which deemed it suitable for all ages. Most racing video games follow the same premise and that is to guide the ... player's vehicle to the end of the course in the shortest amount of time. This title is no different, and it pits the player at the helm of licensed Suzuki motorbikes. The bulk of the game is concentrated in the championship mode which was unimaginatively titled "main game". Players will compete in a series of numerous tournaments which each contain three sequential races. High rankings of third and above unlock courses in the video game, and allow players to race on them at will in the title's exhibition mode. There is little by the way of innovation in this game, though I feel it is held back by its control scheme. The analog joystick is often unresponsive to my commands and needlessly sends me off of the course or into the nearest barricade. This aspect unfortunately rears its ugly head quite frequently in play as most race courses feature numerous twists and turns. I found myself able to adapt to his downfall by slowly moving the joystick well before a pending turn, however in some areas turns are quite sudden and can't be prepared for. Using the motorbike's brake system helps, though this gradual loss of speed usually allows quick witted computer opponents to pass me and lower my pole position. The graphics are by default presented from a trailing view of the player's motorbike. This can be altered to a first person view. I found the visual presentation of Extreme Racing to be excellent. Each vehicle moves along with a sense of fluidity and showcases a well refined three dimensional design. The courses are likewise pleasing to look at. Weather and climate seems to play a prominent role in this title as the player will find him or herself between two extremes such as snowy blizzards and sun stricken desert regions, and the design of the course reflects its suggested look very well. The soundtrack compliments a racing atmosphere with a series of upbeat and lively musical scores, and the typical white noise hiss of the motorbike's engine following the player throughout. While I do enjoy the visual presentation of Suzuki Alstare Extreme Racing, I feel it is significantly hindered by its insensitive control mechanisms. This makes me wary about a potential recommendation. It is likely that more involved racing enthusiasts would find joy in this game, however more casual racers may want to look elsewhere. Read the complete review |
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Giga Wing (DC)
by thole09 "Giga Wing" is an arcade based action video game. It was first released for the Sega Dreamcast in 2000 by Virgin Interactive. In the United States, the game received a guidance rating of "E" which deemed it suitable for all ages. In Giga Wing, the player assumes the role of one of four fighter pilots. There ... is an ongoing war revolving around the secure capture of the "Medallion of Wisdom". This object was initially discovered by a corrupt force and further research revealed that equipping metallic objects with its ore would invoke a superpower. It is up to the player, representing an apparently lawful and good faction, to retrieve this item and destroy all overwhelmingly strong opposing forces. This video game initially saw success as a late 1990s arcade game. Thankfully, the system was one of the lower priced options in my local game room at the time and I was able to have a more in-depth experience of the system. I remember finding it very difficult to play. This was not due to the game's mechanics, but rather a well programmed enemy who ambushed me at every opportunity. I willingly wasted several game tokens trying to progress further but ultimately went home with an empty pocket and nothing close to resembling a high score. This aspect carried over to the Dreamcast version well, and was made slightly easier by offering unlimited lives and continues. Giga Wing is a vertical scrolling action game. Enemies will descend from the top of the display and the player must navigate in the four compass directions to escape their oncoming ammunition while responding with shots of his or her own. The title also offers each pilot a competitive advantage over the enemy. Players may reflect oncoming shots back at the enemy, and this function is appropriately titled "Reflect Force". While its use is unlimited, players are unfortunately hindered by it only lasting a few moments before expiring and needing to recharge. I found myself meeting my demise many times in both the arcade and the Dreamcast when attempting to use it due to its quick expiry in comparison to a much longer recharge time. Most of the game is focused on a rapid-fire mash of the action buttons which fling a torrent of ammunition in the direction of the enemy. The graphics are presented from an overhead perspective which looks down on the game in play. While I like the visuals, there does seem to be a noticeably retro-chic charm about them. The images, much like the gameplay experience itself, appear very dated and primitive in their design. Fighter jets sport simple airplane looks which release quick coloured beams at the player's command. The world below follows this casual appearance with average at best buildings and other urban features. The soundtrack is also overly simplified. Upbeat musical melodies accompany the player, though are barely noticeable under the frequent screech of the weaponry. Giga Wing is an excellent arcade-to-console port of a rather challenging video game. This is likely a title which would repel those seeking the most cutting edge of what the Sega Dreamcast has to offer, but its conformity to the structure of a basic arcade game proves to be fun with every load. I would happily recommend it to prospective buyers. Read the complete review |
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