Advantages: Stylish presentation, great course design, a sense of speed
Disadvantages: Lack of real challenge, 'plain' head-to-head racing, no car tweaking

...fps without signs of slowdown however, the graphics are a bit off from being solid, this is evident from the red rear lights appearing through objects when driving through hills and tunnels. There are two views for use when racing, I have always used the internal view in this game and in Rage Racer. The external view seems to convey a different feel of game altogether which is why I never use it. The internal view does give a better sense of speed. Now the circuits are well designed although there is the inclusion of a lacking 'test' track in the main mode (GRAND PRIX mode) of play. As would be the case for these Ridge Racer games, a number of the circuits share parts of certain tracks. What I like about racing in each of the circuits is that these events occur during different times of day, so they bring about a different feel... Read review

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Advantages: Great idea, beautiful graphics
Disadvantages: The streets are sooo shiny

...A review for Need for Speed Underground Before I even purchased this game I knew it was going to be good. It was hyped by everybody and anybody and I'm glad to say it lives up to this hype. It may not be very realistic, and not have as many cars as other racing games, but it is still a very addictive arcade racer. This game is based around the underground racing scene, where racers, well street race. It also has a major influence from the infamous films The fast and the Furious and 2 Fast 2 Furious Gameplay This game is so furiously addictive and fun; you will not stop playing it until you have managed to complete it all. You will be mainly playing Underground mode which pits you into the street racing arena. From the start you will have to pass an initiation test to gain some respect, and to be accepted into the racing... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: good graphics, controls, familiar settings
Disadvantages: No Originality, All tracks / cars from previous games

...Having now played the much hyped ridge racer 2 I thought it was time I told the reviewing commuinity exactly what i thought of it. Its at this point I try to think of an interesting way to introduce the subject and to grab your attention about new gaming brilliance. However this time I don't feel like i really should put the effort in as it would be a very good reflection of the game designers behind Ridge Racer 2. The first PSP ridge racer title can basically be summed up as simply a graphical re-working of older titles, with little in the way of new game play. As a new console's launch title this is almost acceptable but surely there should be a few new touches in the sequel. Do we not deserve something new for our money? Well apparently Namco do not think so. I can see the argument in that a game's sequel should be similar... Read review

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Advantages: Great gameplay, great graphics
Disadvantages: addictive and potentially frustrating

...I must admit to being a little slow in embracing the Playstation2 craze that has swept the world over the last few years. But when I decided that I finally wanted one (incidentally at the same time it became impossible to get hold of one – typical!) I started asking around some friends on what games I should get. With most of my mates being into their cars there seemed to be a common theme of racing games being touted around. I am not really into doing cars up (as can be seen from the state of my car) but after trying this game decided that I would have to give it a try. I have liked previous racing games (on other consoles) and after a couple of games on this I knew it was going to be something I would like. ** Background ** Need for Speed Underground 2 is the follow up game to “Need for Speed Underground” which was a huge... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: It looks striking.
Disadvantages: Poor direction, plotting and performances.

...Speed Racer is born into a family of racing drivers and mechanics, so naturally the only thing he wants to do is race. His greatest competition is the memory of his brother Rex, who died during the gruelling Crucible. He is loyal to his family and their business, run by his father Pops, who designed his car Mach 5. But when Speed turns down an offer to race for Royalton Industries, its maniacal owner wants to make sure Mach 5 doesn't cross another finishing line. The only way Speed can win is to beat Royalton at his own game. So with the help of his family, his girlfriend Trixie and the mysterious Racer X, he sets about trying to win The Crucible and exposing the corruption rife in the racing industry. Where did it all go wrong with the Wachowski brothers? Their debut with "The Matrix" was such a singular example of writing... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Cheap to buy
Disadvantages: It's cheap for a reason

...’T I like about London Racer, where do I start? The graphics have to be the worst of any Playstation game I have come across – more than 30 – 40 minutes of play is too much of a challenge for the eyes. Seeing other cars on the road is near impossible. There is no feeling that the car you are meant to be in is anywhere near real, the whole effect is very two dimensional, unlike a game like Driver. I have played more realistic Gameboy games. The game navigation is awkward and frustrating, particularly the screens where you select drivers. It is very difficult to judge where the edges of game features are, like other cars, buildings or kerbs – this adds to the frustration of gameplay. On each course as well as competing against other racers, you also have to watch out for speed cops, these usually catch you... Read review

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Advantages: Stunning graphics, fabulous sense of speed, great controls
Disadvantages: Tracks get a little repetitive, some dull music

...As a launch title for the Sony PSP, Ridge Racers is a first class effort. Namco deserves the plaudits for what they have conjured up here. Much more than just a straight port of previous incarnations on the PS2, Namco have put together the most complete Ridge Racer experience to date. The tracks are taken from various games in the series, improved and expanded upon, which also includes some courses from the arcade versions, and there are 4 brand new tracks for the PSP. All of them look stunning and as fresh as ever. The game modes are what you come to expect from the racing genre. These include the standard single race, time attack, and the World Tour modes. The World Tour is the main game where you pick your car and make your way through races made up of a number of tracks. You have to progress through the Basic level before... Read review

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Advantages: Preventing accidents? saving lives?
Disadvantages: Making money?

...I can guarantee that either yourself or someone you know has been caught speeding recently or in the past. The question that needs to be answered is; are speed cameras there to reduce accidents? or are they simply there to earn money to plough straight back into putting more speed cameras on our roads? That is what the current debate about speed cameras is all about and I intend on answering that question in this opinion. Being Caught ************************ Naturally, to be caught by a speed camera you have to be speeding. Whether you're a boy/girl racer who deliberately speeds in a car, or a careful driver who just wasn't paying attention to your speed, you will still be fined and sentenced with penalty points. This fine could be anything from £20 upwards and an issue of 3 or more penalty points or even disqualification... Read review

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Advantages: Brilliantly realistic, many cars, superb graphics
Disadvantages: No map, slight let down in modding

...then so be it!! Gameplay/Storyline I'll start with the storyline, maily because its the same as usual and will be over in one sentence. You play a street racer who's trying to make it big in the legal racing scene. You go through tournaments and beat all the kings of different racing Genres (Grip, Speed, Drag and Drift) and eventually have to play the overall king and take his crown as the best racer out there! Ok two sentences, whatever! On to gameplay. Another hit here from EA. The realism from the cars and the scenery is also carried on into the driving simulations. I have never played a game that felt as real as this one (barring Gran Turismo obviously!) Each car has it's own unique way of behaving on the road and you need to realise that before you go headfirst into a wall, which, because of the new damage simulator, you will now... Read review

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Advantages: Saves lives
Disadvantages: Death on the roads. Driving disqualification or worse.

...section of CIAO the philosophy of it quite obviously relates to speeding in general. Many local authorities are introducing traffic calming measures in many urban areas, speed humps (sleeping policemen) are a favourite and to an extent do work although I have seen many ‘boy racers’ driving to see how quickly they can go over them, clearly some people have no regard for the damage they may cause to their vehicles by doing this and to them they obviously have no regard for the speed limits. Most urban areas have either a 30 or 40 MPH limit, fine if people observe it but often they don’t, again this begs the question why? I mentioned earlier that many people have no appreciation of speed, neither does there seem to be much perception for the hazards that there may be particularly in built up areas. Schools, shops, petrol... Read review

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