Last February Sega released a new property into what is now a crowded genre. For a first attempt, Full Auto for the Xbox 360, they did a decent job. The game was fun, but it did not stand out. Worst of all, however, the frame rate was all over the place.
Jumping to the PlayStation 3 — now a Sony exclusive (the game ships on the PSP on March 20) — Full Auto 2 fixes most of what was holding the original back, plus adds an Arena mode, adding greatly to the overall package.
When you get down to it, Full Auto 2 is more of the same, with higher production values. For those with the acquired taste, this is going to be great news. The smooth frame rate makes all the difference in the world in this game, with nary a hiccup in sight.
The graphics, and amount of on-screen destruction have also improved in this second take on a Burnout meets Twisted Metal combat racer. Courses feature more destruction all around, from buildings to shoot down (for impeding your rivals' progress) to small details like the bricks that fly off the wall when you smash into it at 100 MPH. This game has the fit-and-finish that Full Auto needed on the 360. It is just a better experience all around.
Anyone familiar with the first game will come to terms with the courses here pretty quickly, they are almost identical. There are some surprises, and a few different shortcuts, for the Full Auto vet.
In all, the game features 20 standard combat racing courses, and six arena courses too. The Arena mode is the biggest addition, and makes you wonder why the original did not have it. With the expanded selection of weaponry, and addition of power-ups a la Twisted Metal, Arena mode is the most fun to be had here.
Career mode consists of an overly cheesy story of bad people taking over the city... the police can't get the job done... you are sent in. Yeah, it's pretty weak. But you do get a branching story line with both primary and secondary objectives for each race - quite similar to the first game.
Article comments
1 - Pudge
FOR the love of god.. of course it is.. its a port from the xbox360.. it was designed for it....AHHHH!.... But on the other hand ... oBLIVION... HMMM I SUPPOST TO BE BETTER ON THE PS3.. i WONDER HOW THAT HAPPEND...... OOOO!.. i KNOW ! THEY DIDNT PORT IT..
2 - Ken Edwards
Full Auto 2 was in development before Full Auto. It is not a port.
3 - Matt Paprocki
It's not even close to being the same game either. Has it's own feel and the destruction model is far more advanced.
And seriously Pudge, you can make your point with all of the ellipsis. Makes the fanboy rantings even harder to digest.