After a disastrous sequel in R: Racing Evolution that Namco is wise to forget, the Ridge Racer series now joins the crowded and strong Xbox 360 racing line up. This is the game for non-car buffs and those who treasure simple gameplay. While the feel is definitely outdated comparatively, the audience for this style is out there, and this is an overly extended fan service for them.
If you played the PSP version of this franchise, you've already partially experienced this edition. The courses and gameplay style have been stripped from one of the better handheld titles of 2005, though definitely tweaked. The drifting technique is here, and this wouldn't be Ridge Racer without it. It's so unrealistic, the core gameplay mechanic is a turn off for anyone looking for a hint of realism.
Simply put, you can't win a race if you don't use it. The ease of use is what makes this a joy to perform, and within a few contests, you'll feel like you've joined the ranks of a professional gamers league. It's a matter of releasing the gas for a split second, turning, and slamming on it again. The analog controller of the 360 shines here; especially on those light turns where drifting may not be advantageous. Even though this is a series created for the d-pad, Ridge Racer 6 finally adopts the analog controller with fantastic results.
The nitrous boost has been changed from the portable, and it's a somewhat weak addition for single players. Drifting fills the three levels of boost, and you now have the option to use them in sections, pairs, or all three for an extended (and faster) push ahead. The obvious way to use these to combat the AI, which barely seems to do anything other than drive a few steps slower, is to save all three for a final blast before crossing the line. Likewise, the opponents have the same idea too, and you'll know thanks to one of the most grating announcers in the history of racing games.
Like the PSP version, the courses are an amalgam of tracks in the series. This familiarity makes it easier to appreciate the graphical detail. This is an obvious upgrade, with a smooth frame rate, but it's hardly something to be excited over. Repeating textures are a severe problem in the backgrounds, lighting is almost non-existent (headlights at night offer nothing special), and aside from some neat objects lining the tracks, this is a plain, boring looking game compared to the competition.
Article comments
1 - Ken Edwards
The almost non-existent lighting model really shocked me.
I am about 60 races though, and want to finish the first 111 so I can see what that unlocks, apparently a lot.
You should have added that if you had played the PSP version to death, everything up until Class 4 is not going to be a challenge that will take you (at most) two or three tries to win all the races. I am still killing the CPU in Class 3 but just got wasted in Class 4 - the first time in the game I have been decimated by the CPU.
This is also the first true sequel on a non-Sony console. A first for the series for sure.
If you are not going on Xbox Live in this game, you are really missing out on some great arcade racing action. 14 player races and global time attack are great. More games should incorporate an online global time attack mode.
In the end I come to the same conclusion though, it gets an average score. I am mostly disappointed with the luckluster graphics, and the very small number of courses.
But damn is RR still addicting in its 6th main release!
2 - Ken Edwards
Oh I forgot. Isn't a really annoying announcer a prerequisite for a RR game? I think he is on even MORE caffeine then he was on the PSP. They have amped up the annoyance factor for sure with RR6.
NAMCO, please, please put in a new announcer. And I KNOW when someone fired off some nitrous, as I can SEE it. And if someone fired off some nitrous to catch up I can see that too - right there in that handy rear view mirror. And if you could, please, explain to me what is "good nitrous" as I am not grasping the concept of "bad nitrous."
Thanks. Annoyed,
Ken Edwards