V-RALLY (PS)
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Publisher: Infogrammes.
Developer: Eden Studios. Released: 1997. Genre: Racing. Other versions: PC; N64; GB. Posted 14th October 2013. By Chris Weatherley © 2013 |
After the popularity of 3D groundbreakers such as Ridge Racer and Daytona USA, 1997 was a bit of a landmark year for the racing genre, as the shift from arcade frivolity to a more realistic feel was beginning to pick up momentum. Gran Turismo would be the flag runner and the title everyone recognises that made the most impact, but a whole host of other fine titles were offering up their interpretation of a more genuine driving simulation. Taking cues from the graphically striking SEGA Rally and the darker environmental tone of Rage Racer, V-Rally immerses us into a glorious parallel world of hardcore off-road motor sport. With an ingenious blend of authentic rally racing action and the most lunatic physics seen yet, it serves up a very fine racer that not only pleases the driving fanatic, but would also make Einstein nauseous and Newton swallow his equations.
Much like the aforementioned Gran Turismo which followed it, V-Rally is not the type of game to pick up quickly. Indeed, the initial few runs on first play will have you cursing the screen, scrunching your controller and slating the crash sequences. However, after you have persevered against the learning curve, things become extremely addictive, rewarding and high-octane. One thing that is apparent from the outset are the splendid visuals. It may have the grainy, somewhat flimsy early racer quality, but it’s all rendered, designed and put into place so well. Tracks are jam-packed with detail; from the textured, undulating and shadowy road surfaces, to the breathtaking scenic horizons, trackside foliage and rally themed paraphernalia. There is rarely a dull moment as you fight your way along the many courses, and this is all done with a generous splash of realism, whilst avoiding a drab and dowdy colour pallet. There are some superbly subtle lighting effects, such as lens-flair from the sun, and the truly awesome night driving sequences which are a delight to behold. It’s not all A1 however as sporadic glitches can occur. Barriers, embankments and even other cars can become intangible, distant features can pop-up out of nowhere and the roadside flat cut-out’s of the onlookers have no solidity to speak of. In fact, they are the poorest graphical aspect for sure. A small map would have been nice too. Thankfully, these problems are rare or unobtrusive, and certainly don’t sway attention away from the hard driving, especially when the exceptional weather effects are adding to the ocular ensemble. Although the resolution is not all that sharp, it feels like that if it was, some of the atmosphere created would be lost. It looks and works great, if not mind-blowing. Although there is no intro video, game menus are functional and tidy, while the car models are highly presented, accurate and solid. This is significant too, because when you stack your vehicle, and you will at some point, things tend to go a little bit peculiar.
Much like the aforementioned Gran Turismo which followed it, V-Rally is not the type of game to pick up quickly. Indeed, the initial few runs on first play will have you cursing the screen, scrunching your controller and slating the crash sequences. However, after you have persevered against the learning curve, things become extremely addictive, rewarding and high-octane. One thing that is apparent from the outset are the splendid visuals. It may have the grainy, somewhat flimsy early racer quality, but it’s all rendered, designed and put into place so well. Tracks are jam-packed with detail; from the textured, undulating and shadowy road surfaces, to the breathtaking scenic horizons, trackside foliage and rally themed paraphernalia. There is rarely a dull moment as you fight your way along the many courses, and this is all done with a generous splash of realism, whilst avoiding a drab and dowdy colour pallet. There are some superbly subtle lighting effects, such as lens-flair from the sun, and the truly awesome night driving sequences which are a delight to behold. It’s not all A1 however as sporadic glitches can occur. Barriers, embankments and even other cars can become intangible, distant features can pop-up out of nowhere and the roadside flat cut-out’s of the onlookers have no solidity to speak of. In fact, they are the poorest graphical aspect for sure. A small map would have been nice too. Thankfully, these problems are rare or unobtrusive, and certainly don’t sway attention away from the hard driving, especially when the exceptional weather effects are adding to the ocular ensemble. Although the resolution is not all that sharp, it feels like that if it was, some of the atmosphere created would be lost. It looks and works great, if not mind-blowing. Although there is no intro video, game menus are functional and tidy, while the car models are highly presented, accurate and solid. This is significant too, because when you stack your vehicle, and you will at some point, things tend to go a little bit peculiar.
Fly me to the moon, and let me play among the stars
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Pay close attention, the next bump might see you upside-down
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Sticking with the driving mechanics for the moment, handling your chosen turbo-charged wagon in V-Rally is alarmingly real. This is not the kind of game whereas you glue your finger on the accelerate button and go for it; judgement and implementation of speed, positioning and braking are vital to gain any kind of achievement. Practice of the courses, conditions and surfaces also play a big hand in progressing deep into the game, as each course/weather combination presents a different challenge, there is a lot on offer to learn and ultimately prevail. Options include 4 modes, 11 cars and 10 locations equating to 50 courses. This produces an enormous sense of contentment upon completion of any, but getting to this feeling is gruelling to the soul and testing to the mind. Mastering the driving technique of each course or car requires patience and tolerance to some of the more unique, ethereal aspects of V-Rally.
Anybody used to docile opponent vehicles, helpfully getting out of your way and driving with the utmost care should remove that expectation immediately. There maybe only ever 3 cars on the track with you, but they are extremely aggressive and not afraid to mindlessly smash into you in any direction to get ahead. They will tail flip you, side swipe and ram you, sometimes giving no chance of quick recovery. However, it’s not all one-sided. Their individual driving style is equally hard-line. They can crash behind or ahead or you out of camera view and even start scrapping with each other, giving you the chance of take advantage. It’s refreshing to see this A.I. behaviour, not only offering unpredictability to each race, but also amusing to watch in the process. Equally as comical but also massively unforgiving is what I like to refer as the rubber-band physics. Incorrectly judge an apex, fly over a bump too fast or simply skid out and you will find the rules of gravity dramatically change. Cars take on a balloon like quality, floating on a cushion of air in a manic spin, endless rollovers or graceful 360 flips. Then, as if by magic, you hit the gravel and all normality returns without even a scratch on the paintwork. The combination of this plus ultra sensitive handling, ruthless collision detection and unhinged competitors comes together to form a difficult, frustrating but strangely engrossing experience. It can feel a little unfair at times, no crash damage is regrettable, turning can feel somewhat unresponsive on occasions and a whole session of racing can be undone by one single catastrophic error, but these are small quibbles to the overall widespread quality of the gameplay.
Anybody used to docile opponent vehicles, helpfully getting out of your way and driving with the utmost care should remove that expectation immediately. There maybe only ever 3 cars on the track with you, but they are extremely aggressive and not afraid to mindlessly smash into you in any direction to get ahead. They will tail flip you, side swipe and ram you, sometimes giving no chance of quick recovery. However, it’s not all one-sided. Their individual driving style is equally hard-line. They can crash behind or ahead or you out of camera view and even start scrapping with each other, giving you the chance of take advantage. It’s refreshing to see this A.I. behaviour, not only offering unpredictability to each race, but also amusing to watch in the process. Equally as comical but also massively unforgiving is what I like to refer as the rubber-band physics. Incorrectly judge an apex, fly over a bump too fast or simply skid out and you will find the rules of gravity dramatically change. Cars take on a balloon like quality, floating on a cushion of air in a manic spin, endless rollovers or graceful 360 flips. Then, as if by magic, you hit the gravel and all normality returns without even a scratch on the paintwork. The combination of this plus ultra sensitive handling, ruthless collision detection and unhinged competitors comes together to form a difficult, frustrating but strangely engrossing experience. It can feel a little unfair at times, no crash damage is regrettable, turning can feel somewhat unresponsive on occasions and a whole session of racing can be undone by one single catastrophic error, but these are small quibbles to the overall widespread quality of the gameplay.
A beautiful sight in any late nineties rally racer
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V-Rally does night driving properly
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The only real disappointing trait hidden under all the mud and snow is the lower quality of audio support. The rock soundtrack accompanying the action is okay at first and rather energising, but the generic guitar tunes tend to become repetitive as there are too few of them. The effects are left a little wanting too, but not by as much. A few more screeches and impact sounds would have been welcome, all at the higher volume too. The engine pitch noises are fine, the co-driver’s pace notes are clear and concise and the appreciative clap from the onlookers is a nice touch, but the audio simply doesn’t match up to the finesse of the visuals.
Finally, a neat split-screen two-player mode adds another dynamic to the game, using a timer-less one-on-one format which acts as a nice aside from the punishing and lengthy single player schedule. The sum of all these parts makes playing V-Rally a tortuous pleasure, as its bizarre amalgamation of harsh realism and lunar physicalities get right under your skin from the start; simultaneously infuriating and exhilarating, and besting the late Colin McRae’s sponsored effort in many departments. It plays second fiddle to the extensive depth of Gran Turismo, but has enough of its own impetus and charm to stand alongside it as one of the best ‘real’ racers the PlayStation has to offer. Remarkable rumbustious rallying!
Finally, a neat split-screen two-player mode adds another dynamic to the game, using a timer-less one-on-one format which acts as a nice aside from the punishing and lengthy single player schedule. The sum of all these parts makes playing V-Rally a tortuous pleasure, as its bizarre amalgamation of harsh realism and lunar physicalities get right under your skin from the start; simultaneously infuriating and exhilarating, and besting the late Colin McRae’s sponsored effort in many departments. It plays second fiddle to the extensive depth of Gran Turismo, but has enough of its own impetus and charm to stand alongside it as one of the best ‘real’ racers the PlayStation has to offer. Remarkable rumbustious rallying!
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VERDICT
Visual: 8/10
Audio: 6/10 Gameplay: 8/10 Longevity: 8/10 OVERALL: 8/10 |