The Final Word game review

Suzuki Alstar Extreme Racing -- Criterion Software, Ltd./UbiSoft Entertainment

R.I.P.
If you even think to pretend that you like motorcycle racing games, then of course you already own this game. Why, in fact, I liked the game so much that the day after I rented it, I went out and bought it.

This game kicks ass in so many ways I can't even begin to count. It's so good that I'll say, flat out that I have now found something as good as the original Road Rash on the 3DO! And that's saying something. This game is top of the line and is even on par with any other arcade racing game you can hold it up against for comparison.

Graphics are fantastic, crisp, and detailed. The sound is excellent. The music is good and really helps you get into a groove.

Ahh... and then there is the gameplay. Control is tight and fluid smooth, and thank god, someone actually took into account that the analog stick moves more than ONE MILLIMETER in either direction!!! In fact, I liked everything about this game so much, that it has really made it hard for me to review. Since in reality, I know that no game can be "perfect", I had to sit here to figure out just what if anything might be wrong with this game. I guess if I was going to knock anything on this game, it would be the "paint-in" on the track and environment ahead of you while you're driving along. Sometimes it's ever so distracting and I end up looking at the horizon just appearing, rather than the road. This is something that could be addressed with better level design though, maybe even justifying a sequel (hint... hint... UbiSoft).

In my honest opinion, this is one of the games to own a DC for. A buyer, a keeper, and a system seller. Quit reading this now and go get this game. Now! Buy it even, and encourage more top quality games like this in the future.

(11/2000)