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Razor Freestyle Scooter
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Graphics & Sound:
Released as a follow-up to the PlayStation version, Razor Freestyle Scooter looks predictably better on Dreamcast. Part of me wonders if this wouldn't have been a release best saved for the Gamecube, given the younger audience it appeals to and the defunct nature of the Dreamcast. But, here it is, a complete copy of the PS version and really no better or worse for the transition, except slicker graphics. Level and character design is a big part of making this game appeal to the younger set, and the Dreamcast's power helps to bring out nuances like better trick animations and more detailed interaction with the environment, such as breaking glass that looks like more than 5 polygons falling apart. In short, a better and more engrossing experience visually. The music still sounds great, punk and loud as you want it, with some licensed bands that give Razor Freestyle Scooter an edgier sound than you'd expect for a kiddie game. |
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Gameplay:
If you're a scooter fan, there's no real need to sell you on the story here, 'cause you're just ready to hear about the action. For those who might have come into the game as fans of other Extreme sports like skating, boarding or biking, Razor Freestyle Scooter is a take on the trick formula popularized and some might say perfected by Tony Hawk, in his videogame persona. Unlike Grind Session, which Shaba Games developed for PlayStation before working on Razor, this is a cast of young characters determined to fight an evil robot and save fellow scooterers before they just roll around perfecting tricks. The 'mission,' as it were, is not really a huge part of the game, but provides an underpinning and will amuse some kids. After skating through large levels to complete objectives in Circuit Mode, you'll have a chance to challenge Norton (they call him 'badly programmed,' which we know just means evil...) the robot and try to win your friends' freedom. Clearing levels is done by accomplishing one or more of the goals set out from the beginning, which might be points, tricks or item collection. Progressively, levels demand that you score bigger points, pull off more tricks and get items in the most back-alley locations possible. Completing at least one of the objectives in each level will open up the Challenge level, which demands precision skating at its finest. Now, the only problem comes when you realize that Razor Freestyle Scooter doesn't offer more than the basic levels, and by 'levels' I mean three levels, plus the challenges from Norton. And, when we consider that the challenge levels are small and run on a timeclock, it's easy to see why experienced gamers won't find much challenge here. It's a budget game and a kids' game at that, so there's no reason to knock it much, and in fact it is nice to have a more approachable game for younger gamers that sets the bar realistically high for them but also lets them feel a sense of completion when they beat a few objectives and open up even a few levels. This is stuff they'll build on later when they're tackling Hawk and the big boys. |
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Difficulty:
Luckily, Crave and Shaba realize that while kids may not need the full-blown scope of a Tony Hawk to be happy, they still need to be challenged. So, as a mark of quality, Razor Freestyle Scooter is a 'real' skating game in feel and level of difficulty. There's no handicap or lack of polish on the trick systems or the control, so junior players may struggle a bit but will learn more than if the game had been dumbed down. A swapping 2-Player Mode lets you and a friend or enemy trade off runs in a particular level and compare notes, or Practice Mode for one is a nice, low-pressure way to hone those skills. Either way, Circuit Mode provides more than enough challenge for most but also contains plenty of basic objectives for those just starting out.
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Game Mechanics:
The trick system in Razor Freestyle Scooter maintains the simplicity and power we would expect from Shaba, and adapts the nice control found on the PlayStation version to a Dreamcast controller. As you might expect, the analog stick or D-Pad is used to move around on your board, and tricks map to the four buttons. One button jumps your character or gathers speed, and the other three perform actual tricks. Rather than use multiple button presses, Razor Freestyle Scooter is all about pressing a button and moving the stick to get tricks. This makes for a nice, simple control anyone can work with. Brakes and stalls are the most simple, there are several different grind tricks, and there are many 'air' tricks that add up to big points when nailed or even more when you link them. Selecting any of the DC triggers will let you stop and look around a level for objects, trick surfaces or cool grinds, but don't expect to do this much except in Practice Mode. Circuit and especially Challenge levels come down to beating the timer, so you won't do yourself any favors by dawdling. Sometimes, if you're able to link tricks and pull off big combinations, you'll add seconds to the timer that will help accomplish the more difficult objectives of a level. But, Challenge is fairly unforgiving, especially with some 'do or die' grinds that take precious seconds off the timer if missed. Really, between the two versions of Razor Freestyle Scooter, it's a no-brainer to buy this new game if you have both consoles. It looks better, plays smoother and that's a big plus in my book. Gamers who tried the PS version won't find any reason to also buy this one, mainly because nothing significant seems to have changed. But, with sharper graphics, I like the game even more and appreciate the place it holds as either 'Tony Hawk on a budget' or just a good training ground for apprentice Extreme gamers everywhere. |
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-Fridtjof, GameVortex Communications AKA Matt Paddock |
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