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Off Road Challenge (N64) Review
Background Info
If you couldn't tell just by the numbers, this game is not even worth a
rental, let alone a purchase. If sarcasm is beyond you, I don't recommend
reading the rest of this review. From Super Nintendo type graphics to
irritating, repetitive sounds, Off Road Challenge delivers a sub-par
racing experience.
Presentation/Graphics : 40
The basic visuals strongly resemble Cruisin' USA; however, despite being
released well after Cruisin' USA, Off Road Challenge does nothing to
improve the graphics in any way. Usually when a game has weak graphics,
it has an exceptional framerate. Games with great graphics like WWF
Warzone run at a constant 30 frames per second, while fast games like
F-Zero X run at 60 frames per second. With graphics like Off Road
Challenge, you would expect at least 60 fps. However, Off Road Challenge
delivers an astonishing 20 frames per second. This causes the game to
run so slowly that you can't help but laugh out loud when the
speedometer reads 130 miles per hour beacause it feels like the go-karts
in Mario Kart 64 would burn past the trucks as if they were standing
still. The trucks and buggies themselves are blurry, with hideous colors
which really fail to bring out the desired atmosphere. Not only are the
vehicles poorly done, the backgrounds are also a repulsive color and
extremely blurry. Off Road Challenge does nothing to demonstrate the
sharp, lush colors gamers have come to expect from the N64.
Presentation/Audio : 75
I have no idea where to begin describing this boring, repetitive sound.
I have seldom heard worse generic music and mono sound. Each truck has
its own engine sounds as well as braking sounds. For the first time, the
sound deters players from winning as they are treated to some type of
screeching sound for their troubles. It is pretty obvious that no
recent technology was used in the sound compression and this title will
undoubtedly damage Midway's credibility.
Interface : 60
Nothing special in this department. The basics are all there though
there is an inexcusable lack of options. There is a 2 player option,
though it's not very entertaining as the game becomes even more glitchy
and awkward. It is impossible to play with 3 or 4 human players which
pretty much sucks. One of the few positives is the fact that due to so
few options, the interface is really easy to navigate. Nothing is
hidden, though this is primarily because there is nowhere to hide
anything in this barren cartridge. I'm shocked the instruction manual
dedicated an entire 2 pages to the options (though most of that space
describes how to use a controller pak).
Gameplay : 40
Another tremendous disappointment is the gameplay. The controls,
especially early on, are extremely sensitive, and the slightest tap can
send your vehicle into the invisible barriers on either side of the
track. If you are wondering why a game titled Off Road Challenge has
invisible walls on either side of the track which prohibit the driver
from really doing any kind of off-roading, don't ask me. In terms of
options, this game provides the the bare minimum. It has a boring 2
player option, a single race, and the Off Road Challenge circuit. With
all this variety how will gamers ever get bored of playing this
potential classic (more of that sarcasm I promised)? There is a choice
of 8 vehicles though many are virtually identical, and none are really
innovative or fun to drive. Even the buggy appears to move slowly,
though it just flies past some of the larger trucks. There are 8 tracks
to chose from, and they would be actually a strong aspect if Acclaim had
taken the time to render them nicely. However they are blurry and
generally quite dull.
Difficulty : 72
Well, although the game is pretty lousy, it is very difficult. I'm not an
expert on racing games, but I can usually hold my own. There are 5
difficulty setting ranging from very easy to very hard, and unlike quite
a few titles, normal is actually challenging. Whether or not that is
attributed to the brutal play control and obstacles that are so blurry
they can hardly be distinguished as obstacles is beyond me, but
nonetheless, it is difficult.
Overall : 49
Not a whole lot to say here I'm afraid. If you got the impression that I
am someone who really despises racing games, you are mistaken. In fact,
I just really despise this one. I strongly recommend against even
renting this title, especially considering the number of solid racing
games available for the N64.
By: Dave T. 8/23/98
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