Tech Blog

[#1]

When I think back to 2010 there's one racing game that stands out for me, and it's not Gran Turismo 5.  Of course the GT series is widely considered the benchmark for the racing genre, but let's face it you need to be a hardcore racing simulator fan to really maximize the enjoyment.  For me, I prefer arcade racing games such as the Burnout series and the old Sega racing games such as Daytona USA and Sega Rally Championship.  So when I finally got my hands on Disney Interactive Studio's explosive PS3/Xbox 360 racing game Split/Second last year I knew I was experiencing something special. 

The developers at Black Rock Studio are no stranger to the arcade racing genre, having dabbled in quad-bike trick racing (Pure) and motorcycle championship racing (MotoGP) in recent years.  With Split/Second, the team has reinvented the arcade racing genre by delivering what I can best describe as a high-intensity action racing game that combines dynamically destructive environments with jaw-dropping visuals.  Imagine racing on the tarmac of an airport terminal as an airplane the size of a Boeing 747 comes in for a landing while you're racing and you'll get a sense of just how chaotic this game can be.  Now picture this, you can actually trigger the airplane to descend and crash into your opponents with press of a button. 

The heart and soul of Split/Second lies in a unique feature known as Powerplays which trigger all the explosive action.  As soon as you begin the game you're invited to participate in an introductory tutorial that explains how to fill your Power Meter through the use of driving moves such as drifting, drafting, and jumping.  With each successful move your Power Meter increases and at certain points you gain the ability to trigger Powerplays.  There are two types, simply called Level 1, which are associated with the colour blue, and Level 2 Powerplays, which are associated with the colour red.  As you race around the track, blue and red icons will appear indicating that a Powerplay can be triggered up ahead.  One thing is certain, whenever you initiate the trigger something highly dangerous will crash, swing or slam into the track.  It could be the neck of a crane that lowers and sweeps across the track, wrecking cars in its wake, or it could be an explosive barreling semi-truck that sends sparks and flames in all directions.

When you first try Split/Second one aspect immediately stands out -- the pristine visuals.  This game is simply gorgeous and no detail has been spared.  Whether your racing through a downtown central, a power plant or a ferry wharf every turn presents a new visual feast and sometimes you'll find your eyes wandering just to soak it all in.  The special effects are just are great, rival cars will smoke, sparks will fly off your tires, and the sunlight will glean off your windshield and occasionally blind you.  This is really one of the best looking racing games to ever come out it's certainly a huge drawing point.

There game is premised around a new reality TV series where racers complete in highly dangerous racing events in attempt to qualify for the Elite Races that conclude each of the twelve episodes (amusingly given names such as "Rigged to Blow" and "Big Rig Boom").  An announcer delivers some memorable episode intros that really just serve to tease all the destruction you're about to participate in, and outros that give you a taste of what's to come.  But really, who cares about all that?  I just came to race. 

Racing isn't all you do in Split/Second however, it's just the start.  Other event types include Elimination matches where a timer continuously ticks down and whichever car is in last place at zero explodes, Detonator races where the show producers trigger every single Powerplay as you attempt to race for the best time, and Air Revenge matches where your goal is to deflect homing missile back at a helicopter that is out to wreck you.  Each event type has its own criteria for success and up to 50 points can be earned per event.  Concluding each episode is an Elite Race that unlocks if you've accumulated enough points where you race against the best drivers Split/Second has to offer.  Achieving a top three rank will unlock the subsequent episode.

Rounding out the game is splitscreen and online multiplayer (via Xbox Live and the PSN), unlockable decals which are awarded after completing objectives such as coming first in a Race event or completing a race without crashing, and a Quick Play mode for those who want to pick up and play on a whim.  The cars in Split/Second are all fictitious, having names such as "Ryback Coyote" and "Cobretti Vortex", and each are defined by Speed, Drift, Strength and Acceleration.  Each attribute is pretty self-explanatory but it's worth pointing out that the Strength attribute affects how sensitive your car react to the shockwaves created by Powerplays, which is quite important in a game like this.

I can't stress enough how much enjoyment I got out of this game and if you haven't tried it yet do yourself a favour and check it out. Given how significantly the racing genre how dwindled in recent years to play a game that is not only polished but genuinely original is something that truly stands out.  Whether your sending a building crashing down on your hapless opponents or slipping off a capsizing aircraft carrier yourself, it's hard to deny the pure spectacle that is Split/Second.