rec.autos.simulators

Firstly, let me state that I have only played the PC and PSX version
and not the 3DO version and due to a lack of sound card have not heard the
sound on the PC version for about a month. I loved the PC version!

And now the PSX version has arrived with all the PC features plus many more
including linkup mode, split-screen driving, rally modes, new heads up
display, night time driving and techno in-game music.

About the game
--------------

The Need for Speed is a driving simulator rather than an arcade racer like
Ridge Racer. It offers the player the ability to drive 8 *** cars (like
Porche 911, Ferrari's etc) around 7 differing tracks at varying times of the day
(Morning, Midday and Night). All tracks by default are road tracks, except when
the hidden rally mode is enabled and they all become dirt tracks!

There are many options in the game: Choosing the car, the track, changing
sound levels and the in game music, changing from auto to manual, racing in time
trials, head-to-head, in a tournament or against another 7 cars. The
controls also have four options and the game fully supports analog devices.

There is a cool split-screen mode or you can link two playstations together
for the ultimate fun.

First Impressions
-----------------

I was immediately impressed with the quality of the opening video and the
range of options available. It felt immediately like the PC version. When I
got into the actual game the graphics went down a little, but were definitely
adequate and far faster than NFS on a Pentium 90 with a 64bit
PCI video card.

Load times are longer than the PC version, but not that bad considering all
the info is coming off the CD. The PC version had differing ways of installing the
software to the hard disk, so a direct comparison is not possible.

I also immediately noticed the PAL borders top and bottom. After top
conversions on games like Wipeout using the full screen I was a little
disappointed. They are similar in size to Ridge Racer.

Now some more detail...

Extras and enhancements over the PC version
-------------------------------------------
I really like the new options in the game:

        Changeable # of laps (did the PC version have this???)
        Night/Day/Morning driving
        Map on screen while driving
        Bigger display in car dashless view
        Rally mode for all tracks (not just Rusty Springs)
        Techo music during driving
        Speach - last lap etc
        Split screen mode

Please note that some of these may have been in the PC game, but I didn't
see or hear them!

Missing from the PC version
---------------------------
        Average speed stats
        Ability to turn on ABS and traction control if the car supports it
        No way of saving highlights for later review
        No marker above the competitors cars so you can see them from a
        distance

Graphics
--------

The still graphics are about as good as you will get. They are tops and the
videos on the cars are first-rate.

As said above the graphics in the actual game are not perfect but adequate.
The detail is nowhere near as great as the SVGA PC version, but it all runs much
smoother and faster. It all felt a little blurry like the videos that
came on the original demo disc with the PSX. Due to this blur, it is difficult to
see oncoming cars at times until it is too late! Time to use the new on-screen map.

I also noticed some polygon glitches and stretching and on the Oasis track (Rusty
springs in Rally mode!) the pyramids disappeared too early when approaching them.

Also at times the competitors cars seemed to float. I don't remember this on the PC
version.

The in-car view has a terribly look to the dashboard. Compared to the crisp view in
the PC version they really screwed this up big time.

My favorite view is in the car without the dash board. This full screen view really
makes you feal like you are there!

There is no popup at all and crashes are really spectacular like on the PC
version. Ridge never allowed cars to fully crash and burn!

Split Screen Graphics
---------------------
Wow this actually works. Each player gets plenty of screen to see and it runs fast.
There is a little polygon popup in this view however. There is also no way of
playing with the dashboard and rear-view mirror showing. This does not detract
from the game at all as it would just be two hard to see.

This makes the game immediately better than all of the other racers out there!

Graphics Overall: 8/10

Sound
-----

Excellent! The horn echoes in tunnels, the sound of the screeching, crashes, sirens
are all well done. When in rally mode, you hear the gravel noises. Speach is
crystal clear. All in all hard to fault.

Even the techno soundtracks are good and there are a lot to choose from.

Sound Overall: 9.5/10

Control
-------

I really do not understand what everyone is complaining about. To me
it felt exactly like the PC version with a digital joypad. This is how
I used to play it on my PC as I didn't like the cumbersome feal of my Gravis
Analog joystick in driving games.

I didn't find it that difficult and managed to grind my way around the courses. I
found it very realistic in that real cars wouldn't be able to make some of the
corners at > 270Kmh anyway.

On the rally tracks it is even more amazing as you really feal the back sliding out
as you fight to gain control.

It is infinitely more realistic than Ridge Racer.

Control Overall: 8/10

Gameplay
--------

I really enjoyed this game and will continue to do so for some time. With the huge
range of options it offers great value for money. With the addition of the hidden
car, rally modes and the extra track it really is the complete game. The rally mode
is not Sega Rally, but it isn't too far behind.

The 7 tracks are long and varied, it definitely does not get repetitive. Many modes
of play also increase its longevity. You can race in time trial, against one car,
against multiple cars or in a tournament.

The open tracks also has oncoming traffic when racing head-to-head. There
appears to be less traffic than on the PC version.

There are four view modes and all work well (unlike Ridge). As well there is an
excellent view highlights after a race and a superb replay mode from many angles.
Replays can be called up at any time.

It is a tough game to master and even more difficult to get in the record books.
This doesn't detract from the game, but make it all the more enjoyable.

With the addition of a superb split-screen mode, you will be playing this for some
time and if you have a friend with a PSX and NFS, you can play linked for even more
fun.

Gameplay Overall:  9/10

Usage of the Memory card
------------------------

The memory card is used for saving: Best times, Settings and Tournaments.

Comparing NFS with other racers on the PSX
-----------------------------------------
Graphically it is not as good as Ridge or Wipeout. These are the games to impress
the friends immediately. But long term, this game can not be beaten especially with
the range of options, real cars, replays, views, tracks and two player modes.

Overall Thoughts
----------------
I started off thinking that this was poor compared to the PC version, but after a
long period of playing it became very ***ive and very enjoyable. It would have
been nice if they sharpened the graphics a bit, as the PSX can definitely push
better graphics around at this speed (see Wipeout!).

But, overall the game is tops.

Overall ratings:

        Graphics        8/10
        Sound           9.5/10
        Control         8/10
        Gameplay        9/10

        Overall         9/10 - a top game that takes time to master.