Smashing Drive
Score: 50% ESRB: Teen Publisher: Namco Developer: Point of View Media: GCD/1 Players: 1 - 2 Genre: Racing
Graphics & Sound: Although it was released in the arcades a year or two ago, Smashing Drive went unnoticed and was hard to find. Those who were able to find it however (I've only seen it at one arcade, and that machine was broken), were treated to a unique spin on the taxi cab genre. Smashing Drive is a spot-on port of the arcade version, only a little cleaner. One look and it is easy to see that it definitely does not push the Cube in any new directions. In fact, when compared to other games available it is a pretty depressing sight to see. Now, don't get me wrong - it's not a bad looking game, it just comes off as a big step backwards - even when compared to other arcade ports like Crazy Taxi. On the plus side, your taxi can be damaged, but the effect is so badly done it quickly loses its luster. Smashing Drive does show off some neat special effects and fun goodies for the sharp-eyed. For example, in one section players can follow King Kong on his rampage through the city and follow him up the Empire State Building. I found that the little details (and there are a lot of them) made up for the otherwise plain looking game. The metal grinding and engine sound effects are okay, but the music is just plain silly. No, not silly 'ha-ha', but silly 'What the hell is this crap? 'You gotta beat this guy, smash through the traffic...' Every song gives you stupid advice like this. Why? I have no idea. It's silly, it's annoying, and that is all I'm going to say about that.
Gameplay: The basic premise of Smashing Drive is that you are a cab driver in New York, but the comparisons with Crazy Taxi end there. Instead of giving you a big city to explore and take fares through, you are presented with a game that is more like San Francisco Rush. You start each level with one fare and race to the next checkpoint to pick up another. Sure, this sounds easy at first, but did I fail to mention that you're racing against another cab who is hell bent to keep you from getting to that checkpoint before he does? This is where the new twist comes into play. The afternoon gridlock too much for you? Just pick up the Sonic Horn or 4x4 Tires and smash through traffic. I found the random destruction to be the best part of the game. It was so cool getting the battering ram and just mowing through the traffic - it is a dream come true! Smashing Drive also offers some very amusing shortcuts to help you get through the city. In any given board you can crash through buildings, drive on a plane wing, drop through an elevator shaft - its all there. Unfortunately, like an arcade game, the thrill is short lived. In fact, it is conceivable that you could run through all four levels in the time that it takes me to finish typing this review. Once you beat it, there is little to keep you coming back for more. There are only so many times you can go through the same level before you get bored.
Difficulty: Unlike other games, each of the four areas you can drive through has its own preset difficulty level. You start on Early Bird and as you beat areas, you unlock the next difficulty level. Smashing Drive doesn't even come close to being a challenge. The first race is difficult, but once you get the hang of the game there's nothing to stop even average players from beating the game on their first or second try.
Game Mechanics: Smashing Drive does control very tightly and the layout is easy to understand. No tricks or complicated maneuvers to learn - just pick it up and play. Easy, huh? When I first started playing Smashing Drive, I loved it. However, after the third time through, I was ready to shelve it. A few unlockables or anything that would make me want to play through again would have been great. As an arcade game, Smashing Drive is great. But as a console game, it is so easy and short that it quickly demotes itself to one of those games you play when you have a bad day. Unless you can find a cheap copy somewhere, you might want to put it on your 'rent-only' list.
-Starscream, GameVortex Communications AKA Ricky Tucker
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