THE latest race game on the PlayStation grid from Sony is Rally Cross 2, a beefed up version of the original to get you rocking and rolling over a dozen courses.
But this offering from 989 Studios has quite a novelty up its sleeve - you can design your own track, no matter how weird or crazy!
Yes folks, just get into Track Editor mode and the only limitation is your imagination as you create the ultimate rally course.
The 12 tracks are fairly well detailed and take you through all kinds of unfriendly environments and across dodgy terrains, including snow, dirt, sand and water-logged mud tracks.
There are also 10 all-new rally vehicles to try out but until you make the grade only three of them - and three tracks - are available to you.
This is something of a pain and rather frustrating. The three vehicles available are all fairly standard, a couple of jeeps and a low slung sports saloon which is fast but struggles to keep in a straight line at speed.
Still, I gave each of the three vehicles and tracks a go and when you are up against an opponent in two-player mode Rally Cross 2 provides as much fun as any other racer. The game boasts improved handling and real-car physics but I'm not so sure. Unlike some other big name games in motor racing, you can get away with some sloppy driving. Get it wrong on some racers, notably Gran Turismo or Tocca 2, and it's curtains. Make a mistake on Rally Cross 2 and you can usually get away with it which is good in some ways and disappointing in others.
The sensation of speed is pretty good and you'll find yourself battling to keep on track, fish-tailing your way around tight corners and spending plenty of time in the air as you tear along the bump-ridden courses.
One massive irritation, however, is the time it can take to right the car after a roll-over when you are in a race and are all fingers and thumbs. I've never been so close to road rage!
Yes, Rally Cross 2 is adequately bumpy, gutsy and challenging with hairpin bends, stomach thudding jumps and crazy corners but if you want things a little more extreme then read on. One of the options available is the suicide race - where all your opponents drive towards you!
All the cars can be customised and are available with manual and automatic transmission. In addition, all the tracks can be raced in both directions so there is plenty to keep you in the driving seat. JE
Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
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