Driving & Racing PSP Games
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Gran Turismo (PSP)
by tom1clare Gran Turismo is simultaneously one of the most comprehensive portable video games ever made, and yet something of a let-down. Coming from a distinguished line of driving simulators long-revered for its pin-point driving physics, supreme track design and immense depth, the series' first portable foray has all of the above in spades, ... though its open-ended nature and loose structure are both a blessing and a curse. Its Career mode is all very different from what's gone before. Whilst previously you'd have to slave away earning licences before even thinking about competing, buy a cheap car, scrounge away for a while until you could afford a better one and then move on from there, Gran Turismo on the PSP does away with structured tournaments, in favour of single races. With each circuit you're tasked with working up from Rank D to Rank S, and you have the freedom to race any vehicle in your possession for however many laps you should so choose. It's understandable that series aficionados may be put out by the lack of focus. After all, the heavy mix of tournaments, endurance races and model-specific cups are the meat and potatoes of the average Gran Turismo experience. However, what's often overlooked in such circumstances is that the game offers accessibility without sacrificing the depth of its racing - it is, after all, GT-on-the-go, and being able to fly through a couple of three laps races is more ideal on a train journey than perhaps a seven race series. There are genuine positives too - the eternally tiresome ritual of Licence Tests has been replaced by a similar though crucially non-mandatory set of "Driving Challenges" which are a nice means of getting used to the game with the added bonus of monetary rewards for good showings. What should be recognised off the bat though is how great a technical achievement the game is. Bearing in mind the PSP's relatively modest specs in comparison with its home-console contemporaries, it's awesomely ambitious. Developer Polyphony Digital pulled no punches, basing the physics engine on the PS3 GT5 Prologue, resulting in a game that, but for a few periphery sacrifices, runs beautifully. The frame-rate is silky smooth, the action blisteringly quick, the handling challenging but fair. The cars are typically outstanding; both in terms of how they look and in the way they pitch under braking and warble when traversing curbs. Even within its deficiencies, there are signs that elements have been cleverly prioritised. The road surfaces look fine and close scenery looks grand; prominent backdrops such as those seen in the Grand Canyon course have been beefed up and look great, whilst some of the trees, which appear flat on the replays, don't give such an unflattering impression when whistling past them at speed. Most of the uglier-looking buildings and advertisement hoardings have been kept out of the player's primary visual focus - although tracks with tonnes of the above - most notably the Monte Carlo street circuit, find it more difficult to sweep mediocre visual elements under the rug. The odd bit of low-fi visual design is likely due to data compression, as what Polyphony have managed to cram onto one small UMD is almost beyond belief. That there's an incredible 800-plus car roster is almost taken as a given these days, but it's still worth noting that this includes the likes of Lamborghini and Ferrari, after their Need For Speed exclusivity rights presumably lapsed, and elsewhere everything from Fiat Pandas and Volvo Estates to Bugatti Veyrons and Dodge Vipers. But it's the tracks which are really special; there's a staggering 45 individual circuits in total - ten more than even the game's box gives it credit for - some of which are admittedly alternative or shortened versions of the main tracks (Suzuka and Fuji for instance), but the number still doesn't take into account mirrored courses. The vast majority of the racetracks on show featured in GT4 but there's also the eminently appreciated appearance of the Valencia MotoGP course from Polyphony Digital's motorcycle sim Tourist Trophy. Course design is, as ever with GT, almost flawless. Real-life racing royalty such as Suzuka or Laguna Seca allow you to appreciate what makes them such unique challenges, whilst GT's own creations, such as the colossal Grand Valley Speedway, Autumn Ring and Trial Mountain, all seem to get better with age, presumably as the technology allows all of their little nuances to feel that little bit more "real". Not only is the player spoiled by the array of race tracks, there's all manner of dirt, snow and ice rally stages to powerslide around. Markedly different but in many ways just as engaging, you'll be scrabbling round corners desperately searching for a purchase, allowing you to put the power down and catapult away. Virtually every WRC-winning car of the last twenty years is present, including many of the infamous Group B/S supercars of the eighties like the Lancia Delta, Ford RS200 and Renault 5, which are bags of fun to drive. Suffice to say, there's something to test every facet of your driving ability here. A couple of long-standing criticisms linger on however. There's still no crash damage, and whilst it's still questionable whether the inclusion of such a feature in an already-challenging game would necessarily enhance the playing experience, it remains the one glaring omission from a game that aims to ape real-world physics so minutely. A broader trouble is that GT more than ever paints itself as a driving simulator rather than a racing game. Fans will know the real satisfaction of the game lies in mastering both car and course, but the fact the competitive element is so negligible doesn't help matters. The number of competitors in a race has been trimmed from six to four, and though the A.I. is marginally more conducive to close racing than before (they're given cars that roughly stack up against your own choice), they still chug around like automatons. Loading periods are just a little too frequent for comfort as well. Elsewhere, GT's recent struggles to associate itself with a soundtrack of any distinction continues with another incidental selection of rock songs buzzing along harmlessly in the background. Nothing terribly unexpected there perhaps, but more disappointing is the lacklustre quality of the sound effects - engine notes in particular sound whiny and not up to the series typical high standards. A lot hinges on whether you enjoy the mechanics of driving in GT, because if you do, it's the kind of game that a player could quite easily dip into for months on end. It's hard to see gamers playing it solidly for any great duration of time however as, aside from saving up enough credits for a dream car and attempts to reach Rank S on all the circuits, there isn't really a concerted, motivating factor to play long term. It is however one of the PSP's best exponents of WiFi play, and with adjustable handicaps, they ensure superior, close racing between you and a friend - provided you race each other in the same car, that is. If you're looking for bumps 'n' scrapes, wheel-to-wheel racing then in truth, this is unlikely to leave you fully satisfied, though when it comes to a wealth of cars and superbly-designed tracks; it's a veritable trove of driving delights. It's mostly stunning to behold, though with the odd graphical concession, you can't help but wonder whether the mountainous amount of content was a case of Polyphony Digital biting off more than the PSP could chew. Nevertheless, with tuning options and structured progression traded for accessibility, it still feels every inch a Gran Turismo, even if a couple of troubles stop it from being as defining as its forebears. Read the complete review |
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Midnight Club: LA Remix (PSP)
by tom1clare Midnight Club's fourth iteration sees a return to Los Angeles and more moody street racing. Whilst unlikely to share in the limelight enjoyed by its mainline brothers, LA Remix nevertheless proves itself a viable alternative for fans of racing on the go. It edges chief PSP rival Need For Speed Carbon: Own The City in nearly ... every department, save for the way in which it articulates its story. It's the games one out-and-out failing, so let's get that out the way now; whereas Carbon was surprisingly effective at building a narrative around its street sprints, LA Remix is a clichéd monstrosity. You play as an up-and-coming street racing twerp defined by his Gods-gift-to-everyone attitude. Gloating with such grotesque arrogance after each win, you're left to lament the lack of character embodiment within the game as then you could at least have pictured punching the guy at regular intervals. There's also the standard mix of unflattering stereotypes; black wheeler-dealers, shady Russian Mafiosos and the token "wouldn't date ya" lady racer. Much as Ms. With-It rates her prog-rock (because that's the thing to dance to at beach parties, apparently), the soundtrack consists mainly of standard hip-hop filler, anonymous rock and the occasional slice of dance. One thing's for sure; Midnight Club certainly isn't interested in challenging any preconceived street racer notions, but it ultimately comes good where it matters: the racing. Handling is responsive and the racing supremely fast, whilst the action trumps NFS Carbon by way of having a much, much busier city environment. Traffic is an ever-present danger and though the combination of a small screen and high speeds make for predictably troublesome bed-fellows, the ability to slow time momentarily during races proves a surprisingly imperative aid, helping the player to thread through thick traffic, effortlessly navigate a tricky corner or just allow a brief time-out to pick a route. And though the city is perhaps not as large as would have been desirable, the number of short-cuts and alleyways that can be utilised opens things up nicely to a smartly-gauged game of risk and reward. Whilst nothing out of the ordinary, the mix of tournaments, time trials and chase events allow for just enough variety to keep things moving along. "Rep" and money are acquired through strong performances, leading to a greater range of upgrades and cars available. In a lucid bit of design, individual races staged around the city are coded into three difficulty classes; the harder the setting, the bigger the reward, but this system allows novices to get into the swing of things whilst still earning towards their next upgrade. Working your way from cheap models through to the Ford GT's and Lamborghini Gallardo's is a satisfying process as the increase in performance is very tangible. It's not all about the exotic cars however; both muscle cars and luxury sedans have additional driving perks, such as the ability to ram-raid through traffic unscathed. Later on you can even use motorcycles, though the heavy, unwieldy handling can make life difficult. The customisation elements available in LA Remix are absolutely fantastic. There's a bewildering array of tune-ups and design options, ranging from something as major as engine upgrades to as minute as the colouring of logos on your windscreen. It's super-addictive and much more fun than it had any right to be. The array of body kits and vinyl designs is incredibly extensive, meaning cars can be moulded into unique designs. ...A factor enhanced a fair bit by the impressively glossy visuals. Not content with the contrasts of day and night, LA Remix throws some excellent rain effects into the mix, as well as all manner of nice little scenic touches. Being a product of Rockstar, it's perhaps no surprise that its visual style is somewhat reminiscent of Grand Theft Auto. Bright skyscrapers dominate the night skies whilst sunsets bathe the surrounds in an attractive, soft hue, with palm tree lined beaches and houses in the hills evoking further comparisons. The racing cars look sleek and solid, and the game remains robust technically, reaching colossal speeds and animating lots of activity in the city whilst generally avoiding significant lag in the frame-rate. If I was to be picky, the traffic is slightly humdrum looking, but this is a small gripe. Fans of the series should be aware that the city is based on the older PS2 title Midnight Club II and not the HD Los Angeles games. As compensation, the Tokyo setting from Midnight Club 3 is included as a bonus, and if you consider that simply unlocking this will take weeks, there's plenty of mileage under the bonnet, even if the increasingly tricky street races do start to feel samey after a time. There isn't anything else significantly wrong with the game. The loading times are a touch painful, the police presence feels like an after-thought and it's propensity to respawn cars facing a wall following a crash is irritating, but on the whole it's pretty solid. LA Remix is likely the best street racer available on the PSP, delivering a high-end racing experience with slick visuals and is impressively feature-rich. It doesn't top Ridge Racer or Burnout Legends for sheer fun, but if you fancy yourself as the next Vin Diesel, then this should be right up your, er, alley. Read the complete review |
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Burnout Legends (PSP)
by Jenraux I've been playing Burnout since the original on the PS2, i rented the 3rd one on the Xbox as soon as it came out. And Burnout Legends was one of the first PSP games i bought. I'll split the review into sections so if you want you can just look at the sections your interested in. GRAPHICS: The graphics are ... actually quite good, cars do feature damage but only when they enter a crash cinematic, they won't take damage from small scraps and scrapes. Cars are detailed, i would say the quality is similar to that of GT2 on the PS1 for car quality, but the shading and lighting is slightly better. I would rate the graphics: 9/10 SINGLEPLAYER: Well there are a lot of events for you to compete in, always a good thing. There are 100 Crash events and i believe 100 race events, I'm sure its already apparent i like the crash events more. During singleplayer mode you can unlock cars and also new tracks. There are several modes of play available in singleplayer. World Tour, this is the only one i play, this is basically the career mode, and covers many of the other modes. Race, your conventional race, 3 laps, quickest driver wins. Eliminator, Only appears in world tour, basically a lap knockout, driver in last place at the end of each lap is eliminated. Face-off, 1vs1 to unlock your rivals car. Time Attack, drive for as long as you want to beat the best lap times for that track. Burning Lap, basically Time Attack, but there are set target times you must achieve in order to get medals. Road Rage, you should know this one, wreck as many cars as you can within the time limit. Pursuit, I think this is a new mode, basically a 1vs1 Road Rage, take out the target within the time limit or before he wrecks you. Crash, present since Burnout 2, cause as much damage as you can, at a crash junction. Thats all the game modes for single player. Cars can be unlocked playing the World Tour and Crash game modes. To be honest i think the single player mode of the game is the best, i wasn't amazingly impressed with multiplayer, but more on that later. I rate the single player, 8/10. MULTIPLAYER: Well i was quite disappointed with the multiplayer in this game, there are some common multiplayer problems that plague racing games that also appear in this title. Cons: - The game is generally not synced, Traffic is fairly synced, but sometimes it can appear out of nowhere. Players are poorly synced, if your directly in front of another player on your screen, chances are your behind them on theirs. Also if you ram someone, usually the other player won't see the collision on their screen. - Loading times do take a fairly long time, PSP Slims load a couple of seconds quicker than Phats, and the game rather ridiculously allows the Slim player to start ahead of the Phat, as it won't wait for the other PSP to load before the race starts. Luckily the game has a big catchup so the Phat user shouldn't be far behind. If your having a lot of trouble with this, make sure WLAN Power Save option is set to 'No', in your XMB on both PSP's, or else it'll have awful loading times. - No AI in multiplayer, so gets boring quickly with 2 players, you'll want 3 or 4 to make it interesting. Pretty much the only 3 cons, but they're bad enough to ruin the multiplayer experience, and these were played on an LAN, over the internet its probably worse. On the plus side, you can play a good deal of game modes, such as Crash, Pursuit, Road Rage and Race. Crash is probably the best mode, it's played simultaneously on both PSP's, but you won't be able to see each other, it'll reveal the other players scores at the end of the round. This is probably the best mode as the Cons i mentioned above don't really affect this mode, except Slim PSP's will start a couple of seconds before. Because of its issues, i rate the multiplayer mode: 6/10, at least it has one. GAMEPLAY: The game feels similar to other burnout titles, they haven't really changed the driving style between this and Burnout 2/3. Entering a drift is easy, exiting it, less so, often i overshoot my drifts and end up in the inside wall, but after a few minutes of driving you should get used to it. The PSP's analog stick doesn't feel particularly well suited to Burnout, but I'm using a Phat, the Slim's analog was re-designed, it may feel better. The physics of the game aren't anything new, but they do the job, crash mode does have decent physics for a PSP game, and the game does feature car damage and basic deformation during a crash cinematic. It still features the classic slide along a barrier method of cornering unfortunately, you won't really lose anything unless you hit a corner hard and the game enters a crash cinematic. The amount of game modes helps the game a lot in replayability, and can probably keep you interested in the World Tour mode for a few hours at a time. Multiplayer hurts it a little, but if you have no friends you should pick this up anyway, its a great game in its single player mode, and Crash in multiplayer is great fun also. Overall this game gets an 8.5/10 from me, its a great game, but multiplayer is a big part of Burnout and is disappointing, only Race and Crash modes really work properly. Read the complete review |
Driving & Racing PSP Game |
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Genre: Driving & Racing / PSP Game / Video Game for Sony PSP / ESRB Rating: Rating Pending / Release Date: 2007-01-26 / Published by Sierra |
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Genre: Driving & Racing / PSP Game / Video Game for Sony PSP / ESRB Rating: Rating Pending / Release Date: 2008-11-01 / Published by Electronic Arts |
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1 review Genre: Driving & Racing / PSP Game / Video Game for Sony PSP / ESRB Rating: Rating Pending / Release Date: 2006-06-02 / Published by Sony |
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Genre: Driving & Racing / PSP Game / Video Game for Sony PSP / Release Date: 2006-06-02 / Published by Sony |
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Genre: Driving & Racing / PSP Game / Video Game for Sony PSP / Release Date: 2006-03-17 / Published by THQ |
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Genre: Driving & Racing / PSP Game / Video Game for Sony PSP / Release Date: 2010-06-11 / Published by Sony |
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1 review Genre: Driving & Racing / PSP Game / PEGI: 12+ / Release date: 2008-10-24 / Publisher: Rockstar |
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Genre: Driving & Racing / PSP Game / Release Date: 2008-08-01 / Published by Blackbean |
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Genre: Driving & Racing / PSP Game / Release Date: 2010-05-21 / Published by Sony |
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Manufacturer: Ubisoft / PSP Game / Type: Driving & Racing |
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