Ridge Racer 7 (PS3)
- Publisher:
- Namco Bandai
- Developer:
- Namco Bandai
- Release Date:
- 13.11.2006
- Number of players:
- 1 - 2
- Type:
- Car
- Reality Factor:
- Realistic
- Extra:
- Streets
- Age:
- Modern Times
Ridge Racer 7 Preview
The Ridge Racer 7 demo recently became available on the PS3 marketplace, and it is possibly one of the worst demos ever. For those of you unfamiliar with what a demo is supposed to be, it is a short segment of gameplay that is meant to allow gamers to play the game before purchasing it. Demos generally portray how the game is, but more importantly whether the person playing it will end up buying the game or not.
Ridge Racer 7 fails at being a demo.
The demo has eight different vehicles to choose from and one map, similar to Gran Turismo HD. But unlike GTHD, the cars are not customizable in any way. GTHD was meant to be more of a game than a demo of course, but the control of gameplay in RR7 is nonexistent. There is so little control in the game that it’s a wonder anyone would want to play it.
Gameplay is difficult, if not impossible. After playing for several hours and exhausting every trick known to mankind for racing, the highest rank I was able to receive was 7th place. Changing vehicles didn’t help because they all have around the same speed limit (and they all break them) and the differences in driving are negligible. If there is any way to get higher than 7th place, it either requires metaphysical abilities, a PS3 debug kit, or some direction from game instruction. All happened to be nonexistent at press time.
All the game features are bundled up into one tiny thing: boost. That’s the only advantage given to succeed in the race. It would seem like a great thing to have, but then what would be the point if everyone else has it? The system for restoring the boost is also flawed, and doesn’t award you in any way for drifting, getting air, or doing any trick. Simply driving straight gains boosting power the fastest.
One annoying thing about the race was running into walls. What is expected is to bounce off based on how you crashed into it. If it was slight, you’d bounce of slightly, and if it was hard, physics would determine how you flipped and how painful it was. Though I wasn’t expecting flipping vehicles, the same bounce occurs no matter how you collide with not only walls, but with other cars as well.
What really made it unbearable was the complete lack of any menu screen. There technically was one, but it was a “push X to start” and then choose a car and map. No choice on control scheme, on using the SIXAXIS’ turning to control driving, helpful hints…nothing. If there was something to look at or read up on or anything, it would at least look a little more professional.
No difference in vehicles, odd, physics, terrible control and no customization. With so many low points and really no highlights, this reviewer can safely say that he won’t be buying this game because of what the demo has shown. It showcases nothing worthwhile in any way and really is a joke. For anyone looking forward to this game, hope and prey that Ridge Racer 7 is nothing like the demo.
Ridge Racer 7 fails at being a demo.
The demo has eight different vehicles to choose from and one map, similar to Gran Turismo HD. But unlike GTHD, the cars are not customizable in any way. GTHD was meant to be more of a game than a demo of course, but the control of gameplay in RR7 is nonexistent. There is so little control in the game that it’s a wonder anyone would want to play it.
Gameplay is difficult, if not impossible. After playing for several hours and exhausting every trick known to mankind for racing, the highest rank I was able to receive was 7th place. Changing vehicles didn’t help because they all have around the same speed limit (and they all break them) and the differences in driving are negligible. If there is any way to get higher than 7th place, it either requires metaphysical abilities, a PS3 debug kit, or some direction from game instruction. All happened to be nonexistent at press time.
All the game features are bundled up into one tiny thing: boost. That’s the only advantage given to succeed in the race. It would seem like a great thing to have, but then what would be the point if everyone else has it? The system for restoring the boost is also flawed, and doesn’t award you in any way for drifting, getting air, or doing any trick. Simply driving straight gains boosting power the fastest.
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One annoying thing about the race was running into walls. What is expected is to bounce off based on how you crashed into it. If it was slight, you’d bounce of slightly, and if it was hard, physics would determine how you flipped and how painful it was. Though I wasn’t expecting flipping vehicles, the same bounce occurs no matter how you collide with not only walls, but with other cars as well.
What really made it unbearable was the complete lack of any menu screen. There technically was one, but it was a “push X to start” and then choose a car and map. No choice on control scheme, on using the SIXAXIS’ turning to control driving, helpful hints…nothing. If there was something to look at or read up on or anything, it would at least look a little more professional.
No difference in vehicles, odd, physics, terrible control and no customization. With so many low points and really no highlights, this reviewer can safely say that he won’t be buying this game because of what the demo has shown. It showcases nothing worthwhile in any way and really is a joke. For anyone looking forward to this game, hope and prey that Ridge Racer 7 is nothing like the demo.
