CRAZY (MUST BUY) TAXI (Crazy Taxi 2 (DC))

Member Name:

Product:	Crazy Taxi 2 (DC)
Date:	17/03/02 (14 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: GREAT GAMEPLAY AS USUAL

Disadvantages: LACKS ORIGINALITY

It's time to make some crazy money. Are you ready?
Crazy Taxi 2 seems to be a last-gasp effort from Sega to appease angry owners of its disowned gaming machine. And though the cab-induced mayhem in this sequel is just as addictive as last year's Crazy Taxi, it's apparent that the game company wasn't out to create the deeper, more innovative game many were hoping for.
The new aspects that were added to the game are certainly welcome however. The arcade-style game still revolves around picking up customers and transporting them to there requested destination within a time limit, but this time your driving skills will be tested on the gritty streets of New York. Sharp corners, large trucks, and extra long buses have replaced the wider, smoother ride of San Francisco.
There's no denying that driving in the Big Apple is more difficult than traversing SF was in the first game, but it's a rewarding challenge. Beginners would be wise to start out on the Around Apple map, which allows you to drive on less crowded highways as you transport customers to Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the Bronx. Crazy Taxi vets will be able to test their skills on the Little Apple map, which is a more condensed version of Manhattan, filled with 90-degree turns, small winding streets, and hideous traffic, much like the real deal.
Since the Puppy is located in NYC, we couldn't wait to see Sega's rendering of our fair city. While some areas look familiar (the HMV in Herald Square, FAO Schwarz on the Upper East Side, the boathouse in Central Park), most of us agreed that the virtual city was far too neat and tidy to be an accurate representation. Where are the graffiti-covered buildings and the litter that decorates the sidewalks? Better yet, where the heck is Times Square?
A crew of New York hipsters has replaced Axel, BD Joe and the rest: Iceman, Slash, Cinnamon, and Hot D. The characters are amusing in their own right, but in the mid
dle of a game, I was dying to hear BD Joe exclaim, "shut up, and move your butt" when a passenger started giving me lip. The passengers seem to be much more vocal than before. I'm not sure if that was a random enhancement or one that was implemented for authenticity, since New Yorkers are known for being unapologetically verbose. Whatever the reason, the customer's smarmy attitude simply made me chuckle as I weave through Midtown traffic.
Another welcome addition to this game is that you can pick up a group of two to four people at one time. Even though it'll take a long time to drop each passenger off at a different location, it's worth it when the humongous fare and tip are added to your total. You can pick out the groups by the blue circle floating over their heads, in addition to which you'll see several cheerleaders, '70s-style groovsters, and rockabilly dudes frantically waving you down.
The game play will be instantly familiar to anyone who has played Crazy Taxi before, which is good, but also disappointing. You can still perform the Crazy Dash, Crazy Start, and Crazy Drift in order to get to your destination quicker, but now you can execute a Crazy Hop as well. One touch of the 'Y' button and your cab, now equipped with otherworldly suspension, will leap yards into the air and, subsequently, over obstacles in your path. The Crazy Hop adds a pleasurable new dimension to the game. In fact, if you go back and play the original, you'll wonder how you managed to make it anywhere without it. It was disappointing to learn that was the only new manoeuvre. While I greatly appreciate the Hop, I was hoping for other creative car moves, such as the ability to eject irritating passengers from the back seat, or to transform into a floatation device, etc.
My hopes for a multiplayer mode were dashed as well. While there is an Internet option, it only takes you to the official homepage. The Crazy Pyramid mode helps
ease the pain, offering a series of amusing mini-games. After you complete one row of the "pyramid," you can unlock maps, new modes of transport, and the characters from the first game. It seems like most of the developer's creative energy went into these mini-games, and they are truly an amusing challenge. One mini-game requires you to hit an oversized golf ball with your cab and make it fly at least 100 yards. The higher the rows in the pyramid, the harder the challenges, and the better the items you unlock. Definitely try to complete this mode. It'll hone your driving skills and make you want to play the game again and again.
Graphically, the game looks much like its predecessor, with fewer pop-ups and slowdowns. However, they weren't eliminated entirely. If you look at the city's sidewalks, they are teeming with jaggies. If you look at them long enough, you may get a little dizzy. The controls have their irritating moments as well. It seems like all of the cars spin out way too often, and have a difficult time coming to a full stop. There were plenty of times I was at the destination, no longer moving, and the car's wheels had not come to a full stop. Usually, it was no big deal, but a few times it cost me a time bonus.
But alas, these are mere quibbles. If you're like me and own a Dreamcast, don't hesitate picking up Crazy Taxi 2. Even if it doesn't offer the most innovative game play, you're still guaranteed hours of mayhem-filled fun.
Tips:
· If you Crazy Hop onto buildings, you may find yourself a nice little shortcut.
· In the options menu, you can turn down the mind-numbing, repetitive sounds of The Offspring and Methods of Mayhem.
· The more tricks you perform with multiple passengers in the car, the more tips you'll earn.

Summary: