There are two types of racing games hitting the market. You have the ultra-realistic racing simulators such as Forza Motorsport 3 and Gran Turismo 5 (if it ever comes out), and then you have your arcade style racers like Need For Speed. I, for one, have never been a big fan of either. While racing games are fun, I just find I get bored with them. I have no interest in pimping my ride with high end shocks, spoilers or neon lights. And I really don’t care if I can outrun the cops over and over again. I admit it, I’m a racing snob. So when Split Second arrived on my desk I’ve have to say I wasn’t exactly over the moon thrilled to try it out. Could a Disney racing game really hold my attention long enough to enable me to write a full review? Thankfully… yes.
The Story
Seems a bit odd to have a “The Story” category for a racing game review don’t you think? Well there really is a story to this game. You are on a new fictional reality show known as Split Second. It’s a live racing show unlike ever seen before. The goal of each show is to be the first to cross the finish line while taking out your opponents through whatever means it takes. We’re talking setting off explosives, launching missiles, even bringing entire buildings and bridges down on your opponents. Only the fastest will survive to continue on to the next season.
The Gameplay
The game is divided into 12 television seasons, each season containing 6 episodes. Different episodes have different goals. Elimination for example will have players race against a clock. When the clock hits zero the person currently in last place gets eliminated. The counter continues to reset and start again until only one car remains. Other Episodes will have helicopters blasting missiles at you as you make your way across the course, while other episodes will challenge you take take out your opponents by creating PowerPlays which set off explosions and cause the environment to literally crumble around your foes, bringing them to a screeching halt.
In order to pull off the so called “PowerPlays” you have to fill up your PowerPlay gauge. This is done by pulling off stunts, drifting, following an opponents draft, or catching air time. Partially fill up your gauge and you can set off minor events around the track to knock your opponents off course. You can trigger helicopters hovering above the race track to drop explosives on your competitors, or cause gas tankers sitting along side the track to to explode. You are given cues on when these events can be triggered, yet they must be timed perfectly. It’s easy to get anxious about a PowerPlay and miss your target all together because you set off the explosion too early. Your opponents will also have the opportunity to knock you off course using the same means.
If you’re able to fill up your gauge completely you get access to a much larger PowerPlay. These events will have cruise ships crashing through piers, towers collapsing and jet liners exploding as you race under their wings. These events are spectacular to watch and even give you the option of an instant replay once it’s pulled off. Once again you have to time your PowerPlay to knock out as many opponents as possible at the same time.
Besides taking out your opponents, PowerPlays can also be used to alter the course. Short cuts can be opened up by triggering explosives or structure collapses at key times. These shortcuts can help you when your lagging behind and can entirely change the outcome of the race. Finding these shortcuts takes time and patience as not all are apparent right away.
As you progress through the seasons you’ll be awarded points. These points will open up new vehicles. The vehicles can customized to some degree such as changing their colour but you don’t have the in depth upgrading of vehicle parts as seen in other racing games.
The Graphics
Split Second looks beautiful. While the cars are not as detailed as we’ve seen in other titles such as Gran Turismo, the game is still graphically impressive. The tracks look great, the lighting effects bang on, and the explosions are picture perfect. The game is pure eye candy. Add to this the movie quality soundtrack and you can see just how much work went into creating this title.
The Downsides
Split Second may be nice to look at and a blast to play but a few downsides became apparent after playing through course after course. You can definitely see why the game is called Split Second. There’s always someone on your ass. You never win by more than a second! While it’s a rush to beat your opponents across the finish line by a hair, it becomes a bit ridiculous after a while. You always have to have a near picture perfect race if you want to end up in top spot. One bad move and you’ll be giving up first, second, even third place. You’ll find yourself racing on tracks over and over again hoping you don’t goof up. Maybe we’ve been too spoiled by Forza Motorsport’s rewind feature which is not in this game!
The only other flaw may be the lack of in depth customization. Sure you can make a few tweaks to your vehicle, but it lacks the deep customization of Forza Motorsport, Gran Turismo and even Need For Speed for that matter. However, some may see this as a feature rather than a flaw.
The Bottom Line
For someone who’s not a big racing fan I must admit I really enjoyed Split Second. This arcade style racer gets the heart racing, and will have your eyes bulging. And that’s just the single player mode! Hop online and play some multiplayer or even split screen with a friend and you begin to realize the game’s full potential. It may not be the heavy duty racing simulator that is Gran Turismo, but it’s not intended to be. Split Second is a sadistic adrenaline-filled ride which breaths new life into the racing genre.
The Good
Beautiful graphics
Movie quality soundtrack
Outrageous PowerPlays
The Bad
Opponent AI is a bit far fetched
Lacks deep vehicle customization
8.0/10