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SEGA RALLY (PS3)
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a.k.a. SEGA Rally Revo
Publisher: SEGA. Developer: SEGA Racing Studio. Released: September 2007. Genre: Racing. Other versions: X360; PC; PSP. Posted 3rd August 2021. By Tom Clare © 2021 |
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The third instalment in the legendary SEGA Rally series would see new coin-op and home versions developed simultaneously. Similarly to Namco’s Ridge Racer 7, 2007's SEGA Rally would offer a gorgeous, gleaming arcade racer update, part of a mini-resurgence for the sub-genre during the early days of the seventh generation. Typically assured handling, as well as some brilliant technical features, helped make for a quality racer, though one ultimately lacking substance.
SEGA Rally’s glossy surface serves to paper over an experience that, whilst still a good dollop of fun, never quite threatens the heights of its forebears. A large part of the problem lies with its courses, as well as its uninspired Career mode. Sixteen route variants is nothing to grumble about, showcasing slippy ice roads, slidey gravel and high-speed tarmac, but they offer competitively few standout moments. There are no equivalents to the unforgettable experiences served up by its predecessors: the undulating, dusty Desert opener of SEGA Rally Championship, the snaking Mountain paths and glittering, night-time super-special Riviera stage that helped define SEGA Rally 2.
It wouldn't be a SEGA racer without palm trees and beaches
If you’re into accessible, bombastic racers and aren’t too concerned about the minutiae of vehicle customisation, or trying to relive real championships blow-by-blow, then this still warrants checking out. Drifts are a lot of fun and easy to pick up, even if the handling can feel a little flighty. You can’t help feeling it’s missing the force-feedback you’d get in the arcades and the lack of rumble function during the early days of the PS3 doesn’t help either.
SEGA Rally’s most impressive aspect is its visuals. Whilst the Dreamcast port of SEGA Rally 2 was a little ropey in terms of driving performance, the same criticism cannot be levied at this excellent seventh-generation build. The whole look is exactly what you’d want from an arcade racer: bright and inviting menus, dynamic replays, lens-flare and all manner of nice scenic touches, such as wildlife in the Safari course and a windmill in the Alpine route. It’s incredibly vibrant and one of the prettiest racers around at the time.
SEGA Rally’s most impressive aspect is its visuals. Whilst the Dreamcast port of SEGA Rally 2 was a little ropey in terms of driving performance, the same criticism cannot be levied at this excellent seventh-generation build. The whole look is exactly what you’d want from an arcade racer: bright and inviting menus, dynamic replays, lens-flare and all manner of nice scenic touches, such as wildlife in the Safari course and a windmill in the Alpine route. It’s incredibly vibrant and one of the prettiest racers around at the time.
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The cars look fantastic, resplendent as they are in shiny liveries and gloriously impressive lighting. The game features a bewildering array of vehicles. There’s more than thirty to unlock in all, spanning just about every significant rally car from the previous 25 years, as well as more left-field options and prototype cars. There’s even the classic pairing of the Lancia Delta and Toyota Celica, so synonymous with the original arcade game. It’s a thoroughly satisfying selection for rally buffs.
As for the action, that chugs along at a steady but unimpressive frame-rate, falling short of the smoothness offered up by MotorStorm, Forza Motorsport 2 or any number of other racers early out the blocks for the seventh generation. It makes up for this through its fantastic course degradation, which sees tyre tracks carved through snow and gravel, altering the complexion and feel of the racing line, next time around. Whilst courses are typically smooth to drive during an opening lap, you’ll find towards the end the need for careful cornering, as cars tend to understeer on newly-uneven surfaces.
As for the action, that chugs along at a steady but unimpressive frame-rate, falling short of the smoothness offered up by MotorStorm, Forza Motorsport 2 or any number of other racers early out the blocks for the seventh generation. It makes up for this through its fantastic course degradation, which sees tyre tracks carved through snow and gravel, altering the complexion and feel of the racing line, next time around. Whilst courses are typically smooth to drive during an opening lap, you’ll find towards the end the need for careful cornering, as cars tend to understeer on newly-uneven surfaces.
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Realism isn’t high on the agenda: you can zip along at 100mph on ice roads, take hairpins in fifth gear and bounce off the scenery with relatively little loss of speed and not so much as a dent to the bodywork. It may lack the depth of more sim-leaning ventures like the Colin McRae Rally games or Evolution Studios’ World Rally Championship titles, but this is part of SEGA Rally’s charm and it’s plenty of fun in the immediate. Where the experience starts to flag is in its lack of longevity. The Career mode consists of a sequence of three-race events, playing out on the various layouts and reverse courses. However, as each tournament carries identical rules and parameters, the drive to progress soon starts to sputter. The simply isn’t enough variety to the tournaments and consequently, by the time you’ve unlocked the Modified (and subsequently Masters) classes, it’s all become a little over-familiar.
SEGA Rally starts to become a slog around the same time it starts to frustrate. The choice between road and off-road setups that you must carry throughout a three-race tournament is unsatisfying, as it means you’re often left with an underperforming car, relative to the AI, for at least one of the courses. With many circuits driven close to full-speed for large portions, it becomes increasingly difficult to make inroads starting in sixth against fields of metronomic (and increasingly competitive) opponents.
SEGA Rally starts to become a slog around the same time it starts to frustrate. The choice between road and off-road setups that you must carry throughout a three-race tournament is unsatisfying, as it means you’re often left with an underperforming car, relative to the AI, for at least one of the courses. With many circuits driven close to full-speed for large portions, it becomes increasingly difficult to make inroads starting in sixth against fields of metronomic (and increasingly competitive) opponents.
Environment effects and evolving track characteristics are big plus points
The chance to record Time Trial laps and place yourself on the world leaderboard makes for a surprisingly moreish diversion. Online is also a great deal of fun, with as many as six competitors battling on-track at a time and empty slots rather handily filled with AI competitors. Split-screen offers a no-frills experience, allowing two friends to go head-to-head in single races, albeit with no competition. It isn’t the most adventurous of local multiplayer setups, but it runs nicely and offers more than a lot of racers were at the time.
SEGA Rally is unlikely to be remembered among its parent company’s absolute best racers, but it’s still a very solid racer. To some degree, it was a victim of timing, releasing during the push for more realistic racing sims and before the rekindling of appreciation for retro simplicity saw arcade titles back in vogue. A repetitive Career mode and frustrating AI are indicators things could have been better, but SEGA Rally is worthy of revisiting.
SEGA Rally is unlikely to be remembered among its parent company’s absolute best racers, but it’s still a very solid racer. To some degree, it was a victim of timing, releasing during the push for more realistic racing sims and before the rekindling of appreciation for retro simplicity saw arcade titles back in vogue. A repetitive Career mode and frustrating AI are indicators things could have been better, but SEGA Rally is worthy of revisiting.
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VERDICT
"[SEGA Rally is] a quality racer, though one ultimately lacking substance. A repetitive Career mode and frustrating AI are indicators things could have been better, but it is worthy of revisiting." OVERALL: 6/10 |