User Reviews (1 - 11 of 17)

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Good for only about a week

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 7 / 8
Date: November 02, 2001
Author: Amazon User

Paris-Dakar Rally is certainly an interesting concept for a game. It is rather fun to work through Campaign mode, but once Campaign has been completed once, the replay value plummets dramatically.

The graphics are definitely not groundbreaking, and the sounds are rather substandard even by PSX standards. The variety of vehicles is okay, but certainly not vast (unlike Gran Turismo 3 or Le Mans 24 Hours). The cut-scene movie clips are extremely sparse and repeated incessantly, and players must make literally NO errors in judgement to even have a chance at winning (although it is possible to beat the record time for certain stages). Of the racing "worlds," the volcano climb is certainly interesting and has some nice scenery (if you have the chance to let your eyes stray off the difficult, twisting, obstacle-filled road), but all other "worlds" rapidly become monotonous.

Still, this is far from the worst game in the world. It is certainly worthy of one or two rentals, but RENT FIRST, then decide whether to buy.

For patient rally fans, worth a long look.

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 5 / 5
Date: October 14, 2001
Author: Amazon User

This is a fun game that deserves at least a rental from anyone who likes rally games, as long as you have the patience to learn the sensitive controls. There are 10 stages, each broken into 4 races. Race through several countries and terrains. Pick from 4x4's, motocross bikes, dune buggies and atv's.
Gameplay: The controls are very touchy and will turn most people off right away. The key for me was using the handbrake and planning ahead on the turns, hitting it just before the turn - and also expecting the rough terrain to jostle your vehicle pretty continuously: thus the slippery feel that must constantly be negotiated. I almost gave up on the game at first, but found myself wanting to try out the different vehicles and get "just a little farther" to see what came next. After awhile I found myself putting up with the jittery controls (read, nudge the joystick no more than a couple millimeters at a time on straightaways or you will careen off track) and savoring the varied racing experience. The vehicles behave differently and have their unique advantages. There are 8 or 10 cameras to choose from - nice. The incentives to keep playing are here: try to get better vehicles or clothes ("livery"). See the next track. Beat your best score. In the buggy and 4x4 modes you get a navigator beside you, as in Colin Macrae Rally, who calls out advice and warnings. No numericals, however, to rate the turns. For the bikes and atv's you only get occasional icons warning you of some of the upcoming turns. Damage modeling is pretty fun. Your car will perform poorly after awhile, then you have to decide whether to use one of a limited number of repair power-ups - which also takes valuable time to execute. The game's physics is quite fun, especially with the 4x4's. After every two stages you get to race a bonus track in which you can go for more repair power-ups or a time bonus to push you up in the rankings. After all, you will race against hundreds of (usually unseen) opponents over the course of approximately 1000 miles. Modes include arcade, where you can change vehicles after every race; campaign, where you race the entire length with only one vehicle; and time trial. No 2 player.

Graphics: Not too good. If you need good graphics to enjoy a game, you will definitely be disappointed. If you just want a different racing experience with high fun factor replay value - you won't be bothered by the subpar visuals. The tracks, at least, show a good deal of variety. Textures are pretty weak. Not much on the sidelines. However, I do think the programmers put a lot of thought into the track design. That, or they just modelled them after the actual Paris-Dakar Rally.

Sound: Nothing special. Music is annoying during menus because there seems to be only one or two songs. Luckily, this doesn't affect gameplay. I'm not one to notice or appreciate engine sounds. Not sure about them. All I can say is, the game is fun enough that I'm concentrating on the driving and not the sound.

Just like the real event!

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 5 / 9
Date: July 31, 2001
Author: Amazon User

This game is simply awesome! It's fully realistic in every aspect of the actual rally and well worth the buy.

wtf???

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: May 05, 2003
Author: Amazon User

hey, if you are an avid rally fan, do not buy this game!! this is one of the WORST rally games I have ever played in my life.
every aspect of this game is sub-par. if I were you i would save my coin for an at least half way decent game (i.e. wrc)

I hope this helps you rally fans save a chunk of change.
thank you for your time

WARNING DO NOT BUY

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 4 / 9
Date: November 17, 2001
Author: Amazon User

I have a friend named Beebo he is sad me and him bought this game it is terrible whatever you do don't buy it AVOID AT ALL COSTS get MeTaL GeAr SoLiD 2 sOnS oF LiBeRtY.

cultural gap ??

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 4 / 10
Date: January 10, 2003
Author: Amazon User

I've always wondered why anyone had yet to make a game version of the Dakar, but then again I'm still looking for a game where you get to climb Everest.

I can't help but wonder after reading the reviews of this game if the wide variety of opinions don't say more about race fans than they do about the game.

It seems the Americans hate it. But then again, Americans could care less about the Dakar Rally. Heck, they don't even care about Formula 1, preferring racing where you can see the cars the whole race even if it means left turns only.

The European reviewers loved it ! Then again they are the kinds of fans that would stnad in the freezing rain for hours just to see a WRC car flit by them for 3 seconds ! Maybe the game is orientated toward the endurance race fan, someone who likes the challenge of maintaining course, looking WAY down the road for obstacles, and competing against the clock.

Tortoise v. the Hare ?
Football v. Soccer ?
Checkers v. Chess ?

Maybe Americans gamers prefer the wham bam in your face instant gratification gaming.
Or maybe it's just a bad game, even for those familiar with the Dakar.
You be the judge.

This game rocks!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 3
Date: June 14, 2003
Author: Amazon User

Far out rally game. I have to say that this is a must-have for any long distance rallying fan. Correction, for every rallying enthusiast. If you like watching the real Paris-Dakar Rally on SPEED Channel or if you've ever wanted to what this kind of rally racing is all about, then either rent or buy this game. Either way, you won't be disapointed at all.

Spend your money elsewhere

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: March 15, 2002
Author: Amazon User

This game is full of glitches, and load times are roughly equivalent to waiting for paint to dry.

The concept is good, but as others have said, once the extremely short campaign mode is completed (who's heard of a ten-stage Dakar?) there's not much else to do.

On the glitches; it's impossible to lose in Campaign Mode, because once you get past stage 8, you're automatically put into first place with a 60 minute lead over the next closest racer.

Don't buy this. Go buy a copy of V-Rally 2 for the PS1 and you'll have a much better time.

The Worst

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 1 / 2
Date: December 19, 2001
Author: Amazon User

This has to be one of the worst games ever for PS2. The controls are so sloppy it's almost impossible to control the car. After a race go have dinner the game may have reloaded by then. The clowns at Acclaim should be ashamed. What a waste...

I've seen better on a PS1

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 0 / 3
Date: October 12, 2001
Author: Amazon User

The game has so much promise and delivers nothing. The loading time between races is forever and the graphics do nothing to challenge the system. When it finally loaded and the racing began, all I could think of was Out Run. The handling is poor and difficult to manage. I dare not even try Campaign mode, this is just a poorly designed game. The upside and why I rated it so high is the FMV scenes are nice to watch. Overall save your money.

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