Under NEON Loneliness, Extreme G-Bike Emptiness (Extreme G (N64))

Member Name: scream4bruce

Product:	Extreme G (N64)
Date:	03/10/08 (114 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Some stunning track designs, top techno tunes, sense of speed

Disadvantages: Frame - rate issues, too fast? sole player modes could be better realised

*A review of Extreme G for the N64 which primarily focuses on the single-player experience.*

As a futuristic racer, Extreme G is fairly forgiving; should the G-Bike fall off the course it's recovered, and when the shields are low this equates to a greater speed loss when hit by enemy fire, so no elimination in the game. However, there's no sabotaging the race either!

Extreme G is a lightning quick racing game, though perhaps too fast for it's own good. The handling is tricky to get a feel for, yet the loss in momentum seems minor when driving against the track barriers. Also, not only is there the obvious fogging, but the frame-rate takes a knock whenever the action gets a touch hectic.

It's no wonder, as the tracks are immensely varied. There are moments when, with the roller-coaster-like course designs, you'll be seemingly driving towards a burning sun which makes for quite a sight! The G-Bikes are cool in their design, with use of shiny tin-foil effects. Since they are futuristic motorcycles, check out the first-person view swaying side-to-side, at speed! Complementing the visuals is the techno music, which is great.

In Extreme Contest (racing in a field of eight), the ultimate Meltdown tournament - where there is the chance to compete across all tracks - seems a let down. Regardless of the difficulty setting, the bar is set high to qualify for the next race - so high that, the only outcome at the end of the tournament (should they progress that far) would be the player topping the table. Of the other modes, there are single race and time trial, as well as 'Shoot Em Up' - destroying drone targets for a race duration - which is decent.

By means I was able to complete Meltdown on the Expert difficulty setting, despite not getting to grips with the handling, such is the forgiving nature of the game. However, the performance issues hinder Extreme G, and not being able to take out the other G-Bikes comes as a disappointment.

Summary: Extreme G for N64