Street Racing Syndicate

"Actually, I like it."

I've seen this game advertised in my magazines for a few months now, and honestly, I though of it as a cheap clone of Need For Speed Underground. I Wasn't interest in playing it, and thought it looked stupid.

Fast forward to three days ago. I'm sitting in blockbuster, pissed off because there are no decent games to rent. Any time I find one, my friend shoots it down because he smokes pot. Finally, he begs me to get Street Racing Syndicate. I insisted it was stupid, but I was sick of sitting in blockbuster so alas, we rented it.

I got home and played it. The first race looked mind-numbingly bland and boring, and I actually punched my friend for making us get this, no joke. Then I got into street mode. After about 15 minutes of playing, this game had redeemed itself. amd convinced me that it didn't totally suck ass.

Graphics 9/10
The better graphics get, the less I have to say about them. Sure, the graphics look great, but that really doesn't mean anything since most games release about now have equal or better graphics. Street Racing Syndicate's graphics look an awful lot like Need For Speed Underground's.

Sound 8/10
The environmental ad engine noises are fine, but I can't stand the rap music played.

Story 6/10
There really isn't one. You are a street racer. You race in the streets. Occasionally you impress a girl, winning her over as your girlfriend. Win you do this, you unlock that girls "striptease" video. Other than that, you race to get money, yo buy more stuff, so you can race better and win more money. Quite simple.

Environment / Gameplay 9/10
The control are great, save the E-brake being unreachable. Car generally handle very distinctly, which is good. There are a wide variety of cars to buy, and upgrades to install. Tis game also has a very unique interface, and a free roaming city.

There are plenty of things to do, such as evade the cops. Piss them off and run. This game has a great pursuit system, probably the best I've ever seen.

Another thing I like - If you see a street racer driving around, you can flash your lights at him and challenge him to a race. Very cool.

Rent or buy? Buy
Just buy. It's got great replay value, and if nothing else the striptease videos are pretty entertaining.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 09/05/04