Ran a couple races. The checkpoint races are nearly impossible
without a TON of practice. The Ranger Rover has only 67 HP (!!!)
and 3 gears, so don't expect it to go anywhere fast. But it does
climb hills. The trick is controlling the car, as somehow it doesn't
like my trusty Thrustmaster Top Gun (hey, I drove NFS:PU with it
and it works JUST FINE), and driving with keyboard is too twitchy.
With about 10 attempts I got into the top 10, but it'll take me a WHILE
to get into top 3, must less win the heat. :-/
Did a bit better in the "find the gates" mode, where you're simply
given the gate's direction, but not where EXACTLY it would be, and
thus it's more of a search for the best route without destroying your
car in the meanwhile. Actually WON the darn thing (easiest level).
Physics is pretty impressive though finding a viewpoint that actually
WORKS can be a challenge. The "behind" viewpoint does NOT shift
with the car's elevation (which would make sense as the ups and downs
would make the viewer DIZZY, but at least it should shift a bit if going
uphill or downhill? The in-car view or bumper view is a bit TOO close.
The cars are all licensed and that adds to the fun factor... Too bad
most
cars are locked (only Range Rover and Jeep CJ-7 were available
initially).
For $10, it's quite a buy. The makers also made "Cabellas Offroad"
and that's one of those cheap brands too... Hmmm...
--KC
