R: Racing Evolution

"An Average Racer For The GameCube"

Introduction

R: Racing Evolution is game that promises to deliver an intense racing experience all while giving players a taste of what it's like to be a racecar driver. To do this, Namco treats gamers with two beautifully rendered CG ladies as lead characters in the game's story mode.

Story

Unlike many racing games, R: Racing Evolution has a story mode with rendered CG cutscenes to drive the story forward. As the player, you assume the role of the sexy Japanese ambulance driver Rena Hayami. While rushing an injured racecar driver to the hospital, the patient's team manager, Stephan takes notice of her incredible talents behind the wheel and decides to recruit her. Once in the racing world, she meets Gina Cavalli, yet another gorgeous and voluptuous woman who races for a rival team. The two quickly become fierce rivals on the racetrack. And that is the game's story in a nutshell.

Gameplay

R: Racing Evolution is not your standard Namco arcade racing game. In fact, the team behind the game promised to create their own brand of realistic simulation racing. To this end, Namco has licensed around 50 real life cars and a few real tracks. In the end this game doesn't feel like any Ridge Racer game nor does it play like Gran Turismo, which is renown for its realistic physics. Which means that this game is not likely to please fans of either series.

To create a sense of realism while driving, Namco has opted to include radio communication with the pit crew, rather than accurately portraying the way the car should feel on the road. Communicating with the pit crew is a one-way affair. The pit crew will comment on the way you approach and take turns or will tell you when to tail the car ahead and will provide other such information. Such comments are usually timely and accurate, but not really helpful.

What sets this game apart from others is the inclusion of a tension meter. When a car is tailed long enough, a meter appears above the car being followed and starts to fill up. As the tension gauge reaches its maximum, the driver being tailed begins to feel pressure and ends up crashing or spinning out of control. Also, the longer you tail a car, the more points you earn. These points can later be used to upgrade your vehicle or purchase new ones. The tension feature is rather gimmicky, as most of the time it is possible to simply zoom past the competition. Nonetheless, it can sometimes come in handy.

Pressure gauges for acceleration and braking are also displayed on screen. This addition is very helpful and allows you to learn the timing and pressure required to drive properly in this game. And because this game's physics are questionable, these gauges are essential in order to learn the feel of the game. Also, controlling the amount of pressure placed on the pedals is done with the L and R triggers, which allows for great control.

Unlocking cars in this game can be done in the game's challenge mode. There are several hundred challenges to participate in, including street races, drag races, and rally races (nothing you don't experience in the game's story mode). Although there are many races to participate in, only a handful of them reward you with new cars.

Overall, this is an enjoyable racing game but only if you remain open minded and spend the time necessary to learn the game's driving physics. As for the story mode, it provides the game with an occasional break from the racing.

Graphics

Everything about the game's graphics is about average. They are only marginally improved from Namco's Ridge Racer V on the PlayStation 2. The rendered CG cutscenes used to narrate the story are remarkably well done though. There is also a movie viewer so that you can watch these scenes as often as you like (including the Rena Hayami shower scene!). As for the menus in the game, they are simple and clean but lack the stylish aesthetic design of Ridge Racer V. On the whole, not a bad looking game, but graphics could have been better.

Music and Sound

The game's music is typical Namco style techno. They're not the most memorable but work effectively. Also, like any Ridge Racer, there is the option to select music track before each race (though not during a race). The game's ending theme “Show the World,” sung by Stephanie Cooke (she also sung the ending theme for Ace Combat 04), is a pretty catchy tune and complements the feel of the game adequately. Sound effects are decent, but unlike Gran Turismo where each car's engine noise is recorded, Namco uses generic rumbling noises to simulate the sound of the engine. The game's voice acting is good, for the most part. The main characters' voices as well as those of other racers on the track are done nicely.

Replay Value

The game's main attraction, which is the story mode, is all too short as it can be completed in a few short hours. Therefore, you'll be spending the bulk of your time completing the game's numerous challenges. This however, grows tiresome rather quickly. Had Namco provided more rewards for completing the challenges, the game might have been more worth playing. As it is, players will grow weary of driving on the same few tracks over and over.

Closing Comments

Racing Evolution is a decent racing game for GameCube owners, but far from being the best. As I mentioned before, this game might not appeal to fans of Ridge Racer or fans of simulation racing games like Gran Turismo. It's definitely worth a rental though, to at least check out the game's story mode and rendered hoochies. Only hardcore racing enthusiasts should purchase this game.

Grade

5/10

Reviewer's Score: 5/10, Originally Posted: 05/25/04, Updated 05/26/04