Split/Second - PlayStation 3
Model: 7040800
SKU: 9417151
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Been an action racing fan since Road Rash for the Sega Genesis and Carmageddon for the PC. The S/S demo race from the PSN Store sold me very quickly, and the full game more than met the promise of the demo: the excellently rendered graphics invoked a hyper-realism sense, with details ranging from DOT-standard MBGF and CTB, down to camera smudging when driving thru fire/debris clouds. The massive set pieces with the immense-scale gags (in the cases of the cargo plane and the dam, "whoa" inducing) made it like navigating an Irwin Allen or (as PSM mentioned) Michael Bay film. Granted, the knee-jerk comparisons to THE standout arcade racer series Burnout are unavoidable - but they're also unfair: yes, both feature full-on action in hot racing vehicles blitzing thru wondrous scenery, but that's really about as far as it can be applied. Whereas Burnout relies strictly on interactions of intra-vehicular mayhem, Split/Second depends solely on obstacle courses redesigned on the fly - by dynamite. ("Jamie wants Big Boom", indeed...) The designers could have easily had a 5-star game, what with the graphics and action cranked up to eleven; problem is, the frustration is cranked up to twelve... Serious design flaws crack the facade early on. AI opponent vehicles are able to do the pit maneuver on the player vehicle, but trying to return the favor is just like hitting a guardrail. And hitting guardrails is inconsistent - too many times the software determines a crash for what was clearly a grind. There are also a high number of instances where an AI opponent just taken out by a PowerPlay triggers the immediate next PowerPlay location against the player. This coincides with what is much too quickly a crash recovery for the AI opponents, and a too long delayed recovery for the player - sometimes a drop of 5 or 6 places. Also, the AI drivers rarely make mistakes, and seem to always have better vehicles. Action-wise, there seems to be a substantial friction penalty for traveling by rail - of which there is a lot of. The application of shock-wave effects and what must be invisible oil slicks varies widely within reruns of events. The ENTIRE game places far too much emphasis on skidding-out-of-control, especially in turns (drifting, schmifting). And though the premises of the high-score challenges are excitingly unique, they and the beat-the-clock races depend far too heavily on having to discover that indescernable just-right-groove in order to attain the goals - that are a bit too much out of reach. Perhaps the designers have the dedicated play-all-night-and-skip-class gamer in mind instead of the maybe-evening-and-weekend working stiff... Personally, I could have gone for some more variety in the courses to see more of the well-rendered surroundings. And an extra second or 2 on the time-trials' clocks - I never felt the Burnout Burning Routes were unbeatable, though difficult; many of the Detonators on the other hand have all but ruined this game for me: I think I have spent just as much time on 5 races alone as I had the entire rest of the game - and 1 race is half that; it's to the point that I want video proof of those who claim all-gold. Judging from the closing cutscene after reaching the podium, Disney & BlackRock plan a sequel. Unless the glaring errors and poor choices are corrected, I won't make the same mistake of pre-buying it; if I get it at all, I'll wait till it hits the bargain bin.
Posted by CravenDarkside
Split Second is a solid (Arcade) racing title. It's full of speed, excitement, and mayhem. Now i've heard this game being compared to the likes of Burnout, and how people are just calling it a clone. But when you look at it, it is in it's own category. I say this because Burnout's mayhem is caused through vehicular conflict...bumping cars into traffic, slamming them into walls etc. Split Second's mayhem is caused through environmental destruction caused by the driver. As u drive, drift, and draft your way through the course you fill a meter that you can use 2 trigger these race changing environmental explosions, to stop the other drivers. This is 1 racer that it's safe 2 say you are not safe out in front because just like you, the other drivers can trigger explosions that can knock you right out of the lead. I haven't gone online yet...but i can guess with seven other live drivers with different driving stylez blowin stuff up...it should be a blast. Bottom line...this is a good soild racer with lots of potential. It's fun, fast, and oh such a blast, literally...BOOM.!!!
Posted by sdot217
This is one of the best racing games I've ever played. The action is fast and the racing physics feel real, but the kicker is in the power plays. Split Second is the name of a ficticious racing TV series and all races take place on a set rigged to blow. Explosions go off and large boulders or steel girders drop from the sky all around you to create a true white knuckle race. The tracks can even change from one lap to the next. You need to stay on your toes the whole time. You can set off explosions and route changers, but so can your opponents. The graphics are outstanding. Not quite up to Gran Turismo level, but they still look great. The cars and tracks all look pretty realistic. The controls work very well. Gamplay is among the best I've seen in any racing game. The only change I would have made is to add a customize option. A shop where you could buy parts to customize a cars performance or its appearance would have made Split Second perfect.
Posted by XAvenger
Customers are impressed with Split/Second's gameplay, frequently praising its fun and exciting racing mechanics. Many reviewers highlighted the innovative use of environmental hazards to take out opponents and the game's impressive graphics. The realistic visuals and fast-paced action were also frequently cited as positive aspects. Overall, the game is seen as a thrilling and engaging racing experience.
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