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'next-gen Ridge Racer'
 Developer: Namco
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Category: : Racing
Official Site
Platform: X-Box 360
Might look like: /
Date posted: 16 May 2006
Written By: Matt
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So long Sony
One of the most anticipated race games for the X-Box 360 is of course the long awaited new version of "Ridge Racer". Once exclusively on Sony platforms, developer Namco (published by Electronic Arts in Europe) has created a totally new Ridge Racer game with enhanced graphics, nitro system and online capabilities.
Welcome in the world of "Ridge Racer 6", exclusively now for X-Box 360.
Welcome to Ridge Racer 6
When playing "Ridge Racer 6" on one of our X-Box 360 consoles, we immediately were surprised by the distinct lack of a sense of speed. And this is most surprising for a full arcade race game.
However, the only thrill comes when you use the so advanced "nitrous" system of Ridge Racer 6. The charge system will give you a massive amount of extra boost for drifting making it possible to go very fast in those several hard corners.
The game offers several different tracks, ranging from wide city tracks to more narrow country roads. And that's when the speed of the game really comes fast.
Ridge Racer 6 has a few improvements over previous versions. It gives you the chance to use clever combinations of nitrous and drifting.
When the game isn't up for 'speed', it still has plenty to offer. Challenges and unlockables makes it worth playing. The biggest difference is that you can actually pick your own path during the several races. Of course it's not quite as free as it first seems but the Ridge Racer race planner does make up for an interesting way of unlocking cars. Once you finish every race that surrounds a 'question mark', the game will give you extra content.
Believe me, even when the Advanced and Expert levels are unlocked, you already have raced more then +30 hours! When completing one line of the big race tree, another is unlocked and so on.
  
Please kill that announcer!
As with previous "Ridge Racer" games, on every platform, developer Namco has a bad reputation of inserting a totally irritating voice as you race.
As soon as you 'do' something, an over hyperactive guy will tell you how 'good' or 'bad' you are. At first it may sound lovely but hearing the same voice over and over again, for more then 10, 15 times in one race, it will soon become very very irritating!
Thankfully you can lower the announcer volume to 'zero' by going into the audio menu so you can enjoy the several different audio tracks and engine / tire noises.
The game offers around 15 tunes, all different styles and while you can't use any custom soundtracks straight from your hard drive, developer Namco still added support for an iPod or similar device (like PSP) so you can still race with whatever music you like.
That's if the game's soundtrack (classic mixes of techno and electronic beats) isn't to your liking.
Sometimes strange AI
I have questioned the AI (artificial intelligence) in Ridge Racer 6 several times. Your opponents will sometimes use a 'double nitrous injection' when they couldn't possibly have accrued by the second corner. Very frustrating in Duel races, where one mistake will lose sight of any opponent.
Ridge Racer 6 is not an easy game but perhaps the developer could limit the amount of nitrous boosts that your opponents use. A more realistic approach to this system would be highly appreciated by any Ridge Racer 6 gamer. Perhaps in Ridge Racer 7 then?
When looking at RR6's HUD and even at the earlier stages, you'll notice that they've come straight from the PSP version, without getting changed too much but it does opens fast in its own game.
  
Graphics
Version 6 of Ridge Racer has been totally redesigned to fit the power of the X-Box 360 and it certainly shows. Even on a non-HD compatible WideScreen TV the game still looks beautiful!
Namco certainly did a good job in polishing every detail on the several cars and tracks. When playing you'll see some really great effects and environments.
The developer has created a fluid graphic impressive game and made good use of the 360's graphical power!
Going Live with Ridge Racer 6
No surprise here since Ridge Racer 6 is loaded with 'Live' features which will thankfully extend the longevity of the game.
Online races, online rankings and of course rewards will enhance your Ridge Racer experience even more. I do suggest to try and win some races in the offline mode, otherwise you'll lose in no time when going online.
Good stuff here with decent connections and almost no lag.
Conclusion
The latest version of "Ridge Racer" hits the X-Box 360. As nothing has much changed, version 6 still offers a great offline and online package for any Ridge Racer fanatic.
Great graphics and stylish soundtracks will even enhance the experience a bit more. The game is also loaded with 'Live' features so if you have a Live account, you definitely must check the online bit out!
While every Ridge Racer fan knows exactly what they're getting and won't be disappointed, new gamers that never played any RR game before might find it a bit weird to play. But in the end, you'll get used to it and perhaps even love it.
-Matt
Ratings
Manual:
/ % |
Graphics:
91% |
Music & Sfx:
87% |
GamePlay:
89% |
|
This game scores
on our 5-point Rating System
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