~Burning Road (PSX)

Review obtained off the Internet.


Burning Road is a racing game like Ridge Racer on steriods.
It has five views (3 external, 2 internal) you can cycle
by using the L1,L2 buttons, three tracks, five (??) cars 
to choose from, and the usual racing options (sound volume, 
etc).  It's much more fun, however, because of its originality 
and awesome stuff you can do, plus its variety of special 
effects (rain, snow, icy roads).  And the tracks look more 
like a street-race than an actual car racing track.

The menus are ALL in english (thanks guys), intuitive and
easy to get around, plus you can link up with another
Playstation for head-to-head action (no split screen)


What makes Burning Road unique:

1. Obstacles in road (trashcans, cones, etc)
2. High jumping (6-14 feet jumps)
3. Rain and ice weather conditions (very cool)
4. Slick and icy roads (caused by the above)
5. Keychain hanging from rearview mirror that 
sways appropriately while driving (awesome idea!)
6. Cars sustain permanent damage (for duration of race)
7. VERY GOOD physics model
8. Unique vehicles (racecars, offroad 4x4, drag cars)
9. A replay once you're done that's basically a mini-movie 
of your race (awesome idea!!) with different camera 
angles showing your car/truck, along with some great music.


GRAPHICS: 8

About Ridge Racer quality.
The scenery, popup, and roads are average, no great
Wipeout-looking, flashy graphics, BUT this game is
like Twisted Metal-> Graphics are ok, but the fun
factor makes up for lacking graphic quality.

The feel of hauling ass down a road is DEFINITELY
there, and the rocking soundtrack keeps you in the
racing mood.  You still have popup (about the same
as RR), but you'll never notice it.


SOUND: 10

Definitely a 10 - car sounds different when going through
a tunnel, sliding, even when you're close to another car!
Skidding effects while you slide sideways down a icy
road, mashing and crunching when you slam a car into the
railing on the bridge - all make for some serious mood
alterations.  You'll quickly find yourself cussing at
other drivers.
You also hear a homer simpson (with a texas accent)
WaaaAHOOOO! when doing a large jump.

MUSIC: 9.5

A rocking soundtrack - very well put together (could
use more selections, though)


ORIGINALITY: 8

1. Obstacles in road (trashcans, cones, etc)

They are consistently in the same places, so once you 
learn where they are, you can ram other vehicles into 
them!

2. High jumping (6-14 feet jumps)

You will definitely slam into the dirt roads and
concrete at the end of these jumps.  But, they do
make for opportunities to ram other vehicles.

3. Rain and ice weather conditions (very cool)

Advanced track has some ice and snow, and expert
contains rain and slick roadways.  You will BIGTIME
slide when you hit the ice, so I've found it best to
choose a car with little more grip.

6. Cars sustain permanent damage (for duration of race)

This is my favorite feature.  If you ram yourself (or get
rammed ;-) into a wall, your wheel on that side starts to
wobble a little.  If you do it again, it wobbles more...
So after enough crashes, your car is VERY slow, and when
using the "inside the car" view, it's REAL WOBBLY.

The beauty here is obvious - BASH THE OTHER FAST CARS.
And they quickly fall behind.  You can also ram them into
the on-road obstacles, light posts, bridges, etc.

7. VERY GOOD physics model

The sliding, corner handling and ill effects of getting
rammed are very good.

8. Unique vehicles (racecars, offroad 4x4, drag cars)

Your cars have a top speed and road-grip.  Racecars have
very little grip, while 4x4s have lots of grip, but a lower
top speed.  Take your pick.

9. A replay once you're done that's basically a mini-movie 
of your race (awesome idea!!) with different camera 
angles showing your car/truck, along with some great music.

This is VERY cool.  It's like the game formatted a demo
tape out of your actual race.  The camera swings in front, 
to the side, above, behind, and even gives a race-by view
of you whizzing past.


PLAYABILITY: 9.5

Lots of fun.  If you don't mind the graphics being Ridge
Racer (first gen game...) quality, you'll love it.


FUN FACTOR: 10

If you're a racing fan, you'll love this game.  Yet another
racer??  Yeah, probably, but HOURS of entertainment ramming
the other cars into stuff.  If you can spare the high
import price, and need another good racing game to add to
the collection, I'd recommend picking this up.
However, if you already have Motor Toon 2, and Drift King, 
you might wanna skip it.