Ridge Racer Revolution

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Ridge Racer Revolution
File:Ridge Racer Revolution.jpg
Developer(s) Namco
Publisher(s) Namco
Distributor(s)
    Series Ridge Racer
    Platforms PlayStation
    Release date(s) JP 3 December 1995[1]
    EU 199605May 1996
    NA 1996093030 September 1996
    Genre(s) Racing
    Mode(s) Single-player, multiplayer

    Ridge Racer Revolution[lower-alpha 1] is an arcade racing game developed and published by Namco for the PlayStation in 1995. It is the PlayStation sequel of Ridge Racer (the arcade sequel is Ridge Racer 2). Like the original Ridge Racer, the player races computer-controlled cars with the objective of winning a series of races, and supports Namco's NeGcon controller. Ridge Racer Revolution adds two hidden cars, and two-player support via the PlayStation Link cable, and took roughly the same time to develop as the first. The intention was to increase the depth and add features. The game borrows most of its soundtrack from Ridge Racer 2. Ridge Racer Revolution was re-released in Japan for the PlayStation The Best range in June 1997, and for the Platinum Range in PAL regions the following year. The game received generally positive reviews, although some criticised its similarity to the original. Ridge Racer Revolution was followed by a sequel, Rage Racer, in 1996.

    Gameplay

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    See also: Ridge Racer (video game) § Gameplay
    File:Ridge Racer Revolution gameplay.jpg
    A race in progress.

    The gameplay system remains unchanged from Ridge Racer, with its checkpoint and time-limit system remaining the same; running out of time ends the game and passing through checkpoints grants additional time,[2](p4) although the drifting style is from Ridge Racer 2.[3](pp120,121) The player drives using automatic transmission or manual transmission.[4](p6) Ridge Racer Revolution supports Namco's NeGcon controller,[5](p71) and adds a rear-view mirror when using the in-car view.[6] The game consists of three courses: 'Novice', 'Intermediate' (also called 'Advanced'), and 'Expert', with each having different sections opened,[7](pp7,9)[5](p65) and incorporates modes from the original game; Race, against eleven opponents, and Time Trial, against one. Ridge Racer Revolution adds a game mode: Free Run, in which there are no other cars and the player practises driving. There is no lap limit.[5](p65) How fast the cars run depends on which of the four speed grades is used. The grade is selectable in Free Run, and can be unlocked for Race. It is not available in Time Trial.[4](p6) A new feature of the game is the option to select the time of day in which the race takes place. This is not available at the start of the game.[8](p73) Ridge Racer Revolution features a two-player link-up mode which allows the players access to the original Ridge Racer's courses known as 'Special 1' and 'Special 2'.[5](p70) There are two modes in two-player link-up: Race, which is identical to its single-player counterpart, and Versus, where only the players race against each other. Versus features a handicap option, which increases the speed of the trailing car.[5](p70)

    Like the first Ridge Racer, the player normally starts with four cars. The remaining eight are selectable upon winning the mini game before the title screen (the mini game is Galaga '88 instead of the original game's Galaxian).[4] They are mostly unchanged; both their names (certain cars are named after other Namco titles) and their specifications are similar to the first game.[8](pp9-24) After the player wins the first three circuits, reversed versions are unlocked,[9] and Time Trial features an additional opponent driving a secret car. There are three secret cars; the '13th Racing' (from the first Ridge Racer) of the Novice course, and the new '13th Racing Kid' (of the Intermediate course) and 'White Angel' (of the Expert course).[4](pp90,91) These cars are unlocked upon winning the respective course's Time Trial race.[10](pp8,85)

    Ridge Racer Revolution features two hidden modes; 'Drift Contest', where the player earns points according to how well spins are performed on certain corners,[2](pp68,69) and 'Pretty Racer' (also known as 'Buggy mode'), in which the cars become buggies. Pocket Racer was inspired by this.[4](p94)[11](p171) Mirrored tracks that function identically to the original are accessible.[8](p76) As with the first game, the player can insert a music CD which can be listened to instead of the soundtrack. Unlike the first game, only the last course played is loaded into the PlayStation's memory; to switch, the player would need to reinsert the game disc before loading.[10](p82)

    Development

    Ridge Racer Revolution was developed over eight months by a team of more than twenty people, most of whom joined just for Ridge Racer Revolution. The biggest difficulties were the link-up mode, the rear-view mirror, and running the game at high speeds. Each member had worked on other console games, and they commented that the graphics detail showed the improvements in skill and technique. The team wanted players to enjoy a more in-depth game than the original, so rather than develop a port of Ridge Racer 2, as many features as possible were added. The early designs for the new courses were made in a 'free run' programme, which was also used to see how fast the cars can go. The rear-view mirror was added primarily with the two player link-up mode in mind. The music was mostly taken from Ridge Racer 2, and as a result, the sound was finished more quickly than the game. Soundtrack composition involved four musicians, who were involved in composing for Ridge Racer, Ridge Racer 2, and Rave Racer. The team kept exploring the PlayStation's capabilities to solve the high speed problem, although were confident it was possible. The designer, Hiroyuki Onada, commented that designing an original course was a challenge, and director Kazumi Mizuno believed that graphics quality would be degraded with a split-screen multiplayer mode, so the team decided to focus on the PlayStation's link-up instead.[3](pp120,121)

    Reception

    Reception
    Review scores
    Publication Score
    CVG 95/100[15](p65)
    EGM 9/10[14](p116)
    GamePro 4.5/5[20](p62)
    GameSpot 5.9/10[12][13]
    Coming Soon Magazine 4.5/5 stars[16]
    Maximum 5/5 stars[17](p120)
    The Electric Playground 8.5/10[18]
    Absolute PlayStation 9/10[9]
    Gamezilla 81/100[19]

    The game was a bestseller in the UK.[21](p15) The additional features and improvements over the original in particular were given high praise. Coming Soon Magazine praised its multiplayer mode, saying it "will furnish many hours of competitive fun!", and in their conclusion remarked that the game "is an excellent racing game that will yield much excitement and challenges".[16] Absolute PlayStation praised its playability, its 'greatly' improved artificial Intelligence, and the two-player link-up feature.[9] Electronic Gaming Monthly remarked that it is even better than the original due to the cleaner graphics and improved handling on the cars, which makes them easier to control.[14](p116) Maximum acknowledged the similarity to the original Ridge Racer but gave it a strong recommendation, arguing that removal of the slowdown and track updating of the original, the unlockables, and the two-player mode make it worth buying. They concluded by remarking that the game is "an instantly playable arcade racer that oozes options and playability".[17](p120)

    The Electric Playground complimented the additions and improvements, including the "much improved" graphics and the scene changes, about which it was commented that it was a "serious improvement". They commented that the colours are "sharp and pretty", and the link-up multiplayer mode, remarking that "Linked RR Revolution is worth the buy alone", although the remixed music tracks were criticised because they "pale greatly in comparison to the original tracks".[18] Gamezilla commented that the new tracks are "always challenging and fun to race" and praised the free run mode, say it's a "great way to learn the tracks".[19] GamePro praised the game, saying "Ridge Racer Revolution certainly upholds the Ridge Racer tradition by doing exactly what it should: It surpasses the original",[20](p63) and Computer and Video Games Magazine commented that the game is "Everything Ridge Racer maniacs could have wanted from a sequel".[15](p65)

    Hugh Sterbakov of GameSpot called it "a clone of the original", and criticised the lack of split-screen multiplayer.[12][13]

    References

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    21. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

    Footnotes

    1. ↑ Ridge Racer Revolution (リッジレーサーレボリューション Rijji Rēsā Reboryūshon?)

    External links

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