Review: Star Wars: Episode 1 - Racer
Games based on movies are nothing new, but a segment of a movie seemingly based on an upcoming PC/N64 game of said segment certainly is. I could see this one coming half way through the movie -- Mr. Lucas, in his infinite wisdom, strategically works a "Pod Race" into his first Star Wars movie in 15 years, "The Phantom Menace" (which, as you know, is now playing in movie theaters across the country).
The pod race scene sure is an important part of the movie -- Qui-Gon and Obi One are stranded on a desert planet along with Princess Amidala and her ship, and need young Anakin to win the race to get money to pay for repairs. Of course, Anakin wins, but not after a fairly long race sequence, where we watch gleefully as dozens of pod racers race through desert canyons at amazingly high speeds thanks to futuristic chariots powered by jumbo jet engines. The scene is, admittedly, very cool (as is the entire movie -- this author has seen the flick three times and counting), but has a strange feel to it, almost as if Georgie-boy knew it would be a perfect segment for a game by his electronic entertainment division (surprise), LucasArts.
Kudos, by the way, to LucasArts, for their remarkable timing. I can imagine all the hair that must have been pulled and the long nights that must have been put in to get not just one, but THREE Star Wars based games out in time for the May 19th release of the movie (Besides the racer, there is "The Gungan Frontier", a strategy game for kids, and "The Phantom Menace", a 3D action/adventure game that follows the plot of the movie). In an industry where "When it's done" is the release date of choice for the majority of computer gaming companies, it is truly amazing that LucasArts pulled off this remarkable feat.
But how is the game? Surprisingly, for the lack of development time, SW:Racer is actually pretty damn good, which is fun to play, quite addictive, and very solid technically (doesn't crash) and graphically (looks pretty). It's LucasArts' first racing game in their fairly long history, and they've put in all the basic racer necessities: Tournament play, practice mode, multiplay (over the Internet or network, though split-screen is unfortunately not supported), and 3D graphic card support (a 3D card is actually required). You can choose from a variety of pod racers, each of which has it's own look along with it's advantages and disadvantages. Parts for your racer can be bought and upgraded in Watto's shop, money for which is won by wagering on the races -- for instance, if you think you're going to win, you can opt before the race to give the entire entry pot to the driver who comes in first (while the others get nothing).
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