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Sega Rally

Welcome to 2007, Sega Rally

Of course, Sega Rally (Revo) is the target of some innovation, most notably with regards to graphics. This is 2007 - the year of next-gen, in case you weren't paying attention - and visuals are more important than ever. Aside from an upgrade in the graphics department, the game's boldest bullet point is a real-time terrain deformation system. Underneath, the core gameplay has barely changed. There are 16 tracks are split among six different environments - each with signature terrain types and handling characteristics. A stable of 30 unlockable cars is available from manufacturers such as Ford, Volkswagen and Subaru. Topping it off is online multiplayer for up to six drivers.

There are a handful of great-looking racing titles available on both the PC and console, and Sega Rally holds its own in a stacked field. The environments - from the green and muddy Tropics to the snow- and slush-covered Arctic - are distinct and detailed, if with a hint of hyperbole. But this is an arcade racer, and the themed locations fit the feel of the game. There's a bit of gradual pop-in as you zip around a course, but it only detracts from the experience if you're looking for it. Cars are detailed and feature licensed sponsor stickers, though there's no car damage, visually nor functionally (you'll find no transmission burn-outs or broken windshields here). Vehicles do gather plenty of dirt, dust and mud as races progress, and debris will fly if a wayward driver smashes into a fence. Again, nothing is particularly authentic about the color palette or course design, and the game's visuals stay true to its arcade roots.

A picturesque shot from inside a corner. For the photographer's sake, let's hope the tires don't suddenly grip.

As courses get chewed up, standing water fills in ruts and makes line choice more difficult.

Not For Gearheads

Those with a knack for tinkering under the hood will be disappointed with the game. The sole tweak available is a selection between "Road" and "Off-Road" tire choice. This falls in line with the handling, which is typical arcade rally fare: cars turn on a pivot, a vertical axis through the center of the vehicle. This allows for the exaggerated sliding through corners, which takes some practice to become familiar with. Courses are lined with invisible barriers, through which cars can't pass. In other words, it's impossible for even the worst of drivers to go off course, which can make for some amusing and miraculous crash recoveries (incidentally, cars are unable to get completely inverted, regardless of the severity and velocity of an impact). Driving is strictly a point-and-shoot affair, with little need for either the foot brake or emergency brake. Simply flick the car slightly in the opposite direction of a turn, lay off the gas, then turn hard into the corner and complete the slide. Some will prefer the pseudo in-car view (really a view from the hood), but arcade purists will use one of the two chase cams for the full-action effect.

I probably should have been over the barrier here, but thanks to invisible walls, everything is hunky-dory.

Catching some unexpected air is a frequent occurrence, as AI drivers bump aggressively.

Page 1: IntroductionPage 2: GameplayPage 3: Gameplay ContinuedPage 4: Performance and HardwarePage 5: Conclusion and Scores

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