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Superb racer

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 14 / 16
Date: March 02, 2002
Author: Amazon User

I also had the opportunity to try a near-release build of this new rally contender. I must say I was mighty impressed.

Game wise, the controls are well balanced and exact, but yet easy to pickup. It's not like you have to practice for hours and hours before you can make that turn - but if you do, you will be able to kick out of it with most possible speed. This makes the game pretty much perfect for me, a casual gamer type, who actually enjoys playing for a limited period of time every day or so. As the time passes I guess you will learn to master those hairpins good enough to unlock even more powerful beasts (let me tell you, the cars you'll find further down the road in this game are BEASTS, we are talking 700hp Group-B cars that has been forbidden since the late 80's).

Graphics? What can I say, this is simply THE racing game to own. I have never before seen anything like it (ever). Yes, including PGR. Yes, including GT3. Think Halo on four wheels, and you probably get the picture. Particle effects, details in the environment, cars-modeling - all look stunning. Soundtrack seems sweet, fast paced and with 5.1 Dolby Digital support. This means that the effects really add up to the experience. You can literally HEAR your opponents catching up on you from right-back after that not-so-good turn.

A little sad that the internet-play didn't make it into this first Rallisport-version (I say first version because I am positive that we will see follow-ups to this title), but then again - multiplayer on split screen is somewhat a comfort. As long as I get to beat my pals I am happy.

Definitely check Rallisport Challenge out - you will NOT be disappointed.

The Racing game to own for XboX

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 17 / 23
Date: February 24, 2002
Author: Amazon User

Did you think Project Gotham Racing(P.G.R.) was great? Wait till you play this game. Gamers everywhere have labeled this as the Gran Turismo Killer, and I couldn't agree more with them. I recently got to play an unfinshed built of this game and I was impressed. The controls are pretty much similas to P.G.R, but you can customize it also to your liking. The Graphics really utilizes XboX's power(you think Wreckless looked good? It's nothing compared to this game), every part of the game is detailed from the grass to the trees and especially the cars! There are 25 cars to choose from including Class 'B' Mucsle cars. The game is unlike Gran Turismo nor is it like P.G.R., it is a mix of both....an arcade racer and a sim-racer. You start out on your carreer with an ordinary rally car and you can upgrade it once you got the money, but unlike Gran Turismo, this game won't have as many parts in a Car as in Gran Turismo which is not bad since some gamers like me prefer that. Theres is also modes if you just want to race without worrying about managing your carreer, you can race by yourself or with upto 4 people on a split screen.

All in all looks like a killer Racing game, a definite buy!
Graphics 10/10
Sounds 8/10
Gameplay 9/10
Replayability 10/10

Final Score 9.2/10

Awesome! This is how Sega Rally should have been!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 12 / 14
Date: March 11, 2002
Author: Amazon User

I bought this game and I can't stop playing it. Sega Rally was one of my favorite games on the Sega Saturn (Sega Rally 2 for DC was horrible...the control was so broken!). NEVER has a video game for any console or PC conveyed a sense of environment as well as Rallisport Challenge does. The graphics are PHENOMENAL...everything from the clean, jaggy-free car models, grass, rocks and roads...it all looks so lifelike and solid! And the lighting...when the track indicates "early morning", "Rainy afternoon", or "evening" as it's conditions, believe me, the tracks and the way they are lit are completely convincing. You'll drive through some of these tracks (the most impressive are by far the Mediterranean, icy racing and hill climbing tracks) and you'll swear that you've actually driven through locales like this at some point in your life! And yes, on the hill climbing sections you CAN tumble off the side of the mountain which to my knowledge has never been done in a rally racing console game! Another bonus, check out the cool reflective mapping on the cars!

How's the gameplay? In one word: PERFECT! The game is challenging, but never to the point of controller-throwing frustration. You'll find that part of the game's appeal is to find out exactly which car is suitable for the circuit you are going to attempt. Here's a bonus tip....if you want to relive the glory days of Sega Rally 1 on your Sega Saturn, the Nissan Skyline and Lancia Delta control almost exactly like the default Lancia and Celica in SR1! You'll find yourself practicing to get the art of powersliding down...it's not easy and the trick eventually comes down to using the handbrake in tandem with the normal brakes on the sharpest curves. Believe me, once you finally have it down, being able to powerslide through the sharp turns in succession is one of the most skillfully satisfying abilities you can have as a gamer!

The career mode is where you'll find yourself the most. This consists of racing a small circuit of races--normally about 3 - 10. The object is to come in first in the points total so that you can amass the most points in the career totals to unlock new courses and cars. Great fun and you'll find yourself replaying many of the circuits with the new cars you unlocked to see how much better you can do! There's plenty to do and see and the races actually require some skill unlike the plethora of NASCAR games on the market.

The only downside is the soundtrack...just some generic techno that doesn't really do anything for me.

Is Rallisport Challenge the best racing game on the XBOX? I think so...

One of the BEST games yet to come out of the xbox stable

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 10 / 11
Date: March 12, 2002
Author: Amazon User

This game is incredible. I have yet to play a Rally racing game that even comes close to Rallisport Challenge's caliber. Everything has been meticulously adressed to provide you the best Rally racing sim available for any console, bar none. I picked this game right when it came out and have hardly been able to stop playing since.

The graphics are superb. Everything from the tracks and the nearly photorealistic terrains are top-notch. The cars themselves are beautifully rendered with visible damage occuring to the car if you wreck. Your car even gets dirty as you progress through the tracks! Sound is above average but what really sets it apart is the fact that you can play your own music while you race. The cars all have distinct engine sounds and there is this English guy who gives you advice over what sounds like a CB radio. Another strong point for RC would have to be the fact that this game uses the vibration in the controller better than any game before it. But of course, all of these aspects of RC that I wrote about don't matter if the gameplay itself [stinks]. Well you don't have to worry in that department.

RC it seems was not created to be a 100% realistic simulation. I would say the steering at times is what makes this noticeable. So the games physics do have a little bit of an arcade feel but it stills stays true enough to form that it really doesnt matter because this game is still loads of fun. it also has a great variety of racing modes, cars, and plenty of hidden stuff in between to unlock so it will keep you busy for a while. Anyway, I feel confident giving this game 5 star rating because this has to be one of the top 3 titles to debut so far on the xbox.

Currently the best racing game for the XBox

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 8 / 8
Date: March 22, 2002
Author: Amazon User

For the most part, Rallisport Challenge really does live up to the hype. After disappointments like Wreckless and 4x4 Evo 2 I wasn't expecting much, but I was wrong.

Rallisport centers around a career mode where you compete in different types of rally racing to gain points and unlock more cars and races. Race types include ice racing, hill climbs, rallycross and traditional rallies. The tracks are pretty well varied and can be very challenging, especially the hill climbs.

My main complaint about the gameplay is the points system. Points are accumulated based on factors such as finish position and car damage. I would prefer to see overall rally position determined by cumulative time rather than points. Games such as Collin McRae Rally 2 are superior in this area.

Also, the cars aren't very tunable. The standard suspension settings and tire choices are there, but that's all. This game is clearly on the arcade side of the sim/arcade line.

Controlling the cars smoothly with the XBox controller can be a bit difficult, especially when you drive the unlimited class cars. The cars are rather touchy and the short travel of the XBox joystick makes subtle steering adjustments difficult.

Finally, the graphics really are wonderful. The attention to detail on the tracks is amazing. Drive through the grass and you'll the individual blades. Dust and damage will accumulate on your car over the course of a rally. The presentation is really well done. Just make sure to watch the replays because you'll probably miss most of it while trying to pilot your vehicle :)

XBox's Best Driving Game That Is Not For Everyone

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 9 / 10
Date: March 14, 2002
Author: Amazon User

Introduction
A very good looking driving game that focuses on Rally Racing with different game options (point-to-point rally, hill-climbing, ice-racing, cross-rally). The games have enough variety of courses and cars to keep you happy, BUT not the excitement and satisfaction like those offerred by Gran Turismo 2. Rally racing is different from street or tarmac racing games (GT series). It is NOT for everyone!

Graphics 9.5
The environment and terrains are AMAZING! I just love how the tracks are seemlessly blended into the environment. Car models are good, the effects on the vehicles are great, but it is STILL plagued by jagginess (bumpy, unsmooth linings) like in PlayStation games in a lesser degree. I replay races just to look at the beautifully rendered semi-interactive environment, and lighting, shading effects reflected so smoothly off beautiful vehicles.

Sound 8.5
Engine and environmental sounds are sampled and created very nicely. You definitely need to adjust the settings in the option screen to get an enjoyable mix of music, engine, and environmental sound. The soundtrack is negligible. The option to have your own soundtrack makes this game almost ten times more enjoyable. I have to emphasize that the option to play your own soundtrack is so great that it warrants the purchase of an XBox for me before, and it still kicking it for me.

Gameplay 8.5
It can be as shallow as you want it to be or as deep. That means you can just jump in and have some fun, or spend countless hours perfecting those power-slides.

Presentation 8
Overall, the game is enjoyable. It has every elements that make it a very good game. The menu system needs more work for sure. The unlocking and extra features could be better.

Lasting Appeal 8
Once you complete the career mode and unlock those vehicles (most of them you don't even care), it is quite hard to find any incentive to keep on playing except for the graphics and your own soundtrack. With Sega GT, Pro Racer Driver on the horizon, RSC will keep you happy and busy until then.

Closing Comment
Overall, I give this game an 8.5. It is NOT better than Gran Turismo. It IS the best racing game currently for XBox. With Pro Race Driver and Sega GT2 on the horizon, this game should keep you happy and busy. I accredit RSC as the game that inspires future XBox driving games to be made better. I do not get the same state of euphoria when I first play the jaggy Gran Turismo. My recommendation is only buy this game if you are Rally fan, rent it first if you are just a driving game fan.

Rent it First

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 6 / 8
Date: May 31, 2002
Author: Amazon User

-Chad Steingraber-
-Paradigm/Infogrames-
-Level Designer/Game Designer/3D Artist on The Terminator: Dawn of Fate-

Definately rent this one first. I borrowed it, played it for a day and then gave it back. It's not that it isn't good...because it is. I found it to be a lot of fun, but it's one of those games that you have fun with for about 4-5 hours and then don't want to play anymore. I raced all the tracks, tried as many cars as I could...and that was it. I didn't feel the need to play it much more. Maybe it's because the tracks aren't all that interesting? Maybe it's just because I like more of the "smash 'em up demolition derby" style racing? I don't know. If you LOVE rallisport, then you will love this game. It is by far the best of this genre on any platform. But like I said, it's best to rent this one first to see if you like it.

This is THE best racing game for ANY system to date!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 5 / 6
Date: May 13, 2002
Author: Amazon User

Rallisport Challenge gives me all I've ever wanted in a racing game. This is the most fun I've had racing since Top Gear came out for the Super Nintendo.

I played Gran Turismo and GT2 before, but truthfully, I really never got into them as much as other people. I just wanted to race. I didn't want to have to earn a stupid license just so I could qualify to enter several races before having to earn another stupid license all over again. Here is what makes Rallisport Challenge such a joy to play:

GRAPHICS - RSC is right at the top when it comes to great graphics on the Xbox. Dead or Alive 3 and Halo are the only games that come close to Rallisport in terms of graphics. The cars, courses, people, animals ... you name it, and it looks wonderful!

SOUND - While some reviews I've read have knocked on the sound of Rallisport, I like it a lot. All the cars have different sounds for their engines, and they are sound very realistic. The British guy who informs you of upcoming obstacles has yet to get on my nerves, and the whole "him talking through the radio" concept comes across very authentically. Also, I happen to like the music that plays while you're racing, but if you don't really like it, you can always opt to play your own tunes.

GAMEPLAY - This is really where Rallisport Challenge shines. It comes across as a perfect mix between simulation and arcade. You can't go 190MPH through curves, and the "sliding" looks and feels natural. RSC captures the essence of rally racing like no other game before it. You'll swear you're watching it on ESPN. Thankfully though, it doesn't play exactly like real-life. Who would want to take a turn to sharp, wreck, and then not be able to even finish the race? I know I wouldn't. When you wreck, actual damage will show up on your car, but it won't affect how your car handles or anything like that. It even has a reset button that will place your car back on the track if you wreck. To balance out the way it deals with wrecking, you get bonus points at the end of the race if your car doesn't have much damage. These points help you unlock more cars and more tracks.

Rallisport Challenge is by far the best racing game I have ever played. In fact, it has made me become a fan of racing games once again.

Rallisport Challenge is the finest racing game at any price

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 4
Date: January 09, 2003
Author: Amazon User

No really. Nothing at the arcade, and nothing on any other console even comes close.

If you even vaguely like racing, get this game.

I am very short on time, and don't often write reviews for things, but I just had to speak out about the quality and beauty of this game.

The graphics are amazing, I mean, AMAZING! You can say what you like about it being "all about the game" but driving sims are partly dependant on a sense of virtual tourism, and in this respect Rallisport Challenge truly delivers. Super high polygon counts, fields of 3D flowers, truly volumetric trees (not just cheap flat boards) and really nice soft shading combine to delight the eye. Four years ago, Rallisport challenge would have been impressive as a pre-render, let alone a real-time virtual world.

Despite what some have said, there is actually quite a wide variety of environments on offer, much more than four (you have to play longer to see them), and there are 40 courses in all. Aside for the ice racing courses, many of which look quite similar to each other, each course looks very different. Each environment type also offers it's own challenge, and requires it's own driving style, which makes Rallisport Challenge anything but repetitive.

The game is HARD, but it's not a cheap kind of hard - you always know why you are losing or winning, and it is always your fault in a way you can easily understand.

The thing is, you can't just go around with your foot to the floor all the time like in many other games, you really have to learn how to use the analog gas to your advantage, and how to use the handbrake. Once you do master these skills, the difficulty becomes quite reasonable, and a bit of practice and thoughtful strategy is all that's required to win any event. Yes, I did say strategy. You will have to do some thinking and plan your lines well to win here. No, there's no annoying nerdy car tweaking (just a few simple parameters) but figuring how to win some of the events is almost like a racing physics puzzle.

In case I haven't gushed enough yet, this game makes the most cool use of the controller's vibration feedback I have even experienced. You can actually feel the texture of the road, grass, etc. in your hands!

All in all, even if you are tepid about racing games, you will not regret a purchase of Rallisport Challenge.

Darn close, if not better to GT3!!!!!!!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 6
Date: March 19, 2002
Author: Amazon User

All I can say is that everyone who enjoys driving games should buy this. I can't stop playing this game. The game is just so much fun. The thing that really impresses me, is the graphics. This game shows off the true graphic horsepower of the xbox. When you run your car into a tree, the leaves fall down right in front of you. When you do doughnuts, your car gradually gets dirtier witht the burnouts. When driving in the safari stages, you can see the gazelles running in the distant background. One thing I don't like is the large horse power cars. They are just so hard to handle. The lower horse power cars are just more fun to drive. I really like the game because it has many types of races. It has Rallicross, Time Attack, Ice Racing, and Hill climbing. This game will keep your attention span for a while. This game in my opinion is better than Project Gotham Racing. If you a racing fan, or someone who just wants to see the sheer horsepower of the xbox, I strongly suggest purchasing this game. This is the type of game that makes me glad dishing out 300 bucks for the xbox.

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