XGRA - In 2008 another interesting FUTURE-RACER

Allen critics defiance: EXTREME G Racing Association, briefly XGRA, at the time was a pretty good game and the indigenous to the PlayStation systems Wipeout series could certainly hold a candle. But the extreme G - series disappeared with the demise of Acclaim (known by the Turok games and the infamous Mortal Kombat series) from the scene. Unfortunately, no publisher has been found to this day, who wants to revive the Futerracerserie. On the PlayStation 2, therefore, only a few good genre alternatives remain: for example Powerdrome and Wipeout Fusion.

Predecessor

The first part of EXTREME G - series already appeared in 1997 exclusively for Nintendo's N64 and pushed the extremely popular wipeout from the throne. In successors XG2 (released in 1998 for N64 and PC) of the lightning quick Future Racers could break the sound barrier in the video game racing game history is the first time - even if the track design and the temporary jolt spells not quite reached the near-perfect playability of its predecessor. Wipeout 64 (N64), F-Zero X (N64), WIP3OUT (PS1) and the ingenious Star Wars - Episode I - Racer (N64, PC, Dreamcast) then had the lead. After Acclaim had terminated the exclusivity agreement with Nintendo to develop a pretty spectacular successor to the then new generation of consoles. XG III - EXTREME RACING G (2001) appeared then for both the PLAYSTATION 2 than for the GameCube.

The successor

In the fourth part - XGRA (2003) - came the first time, XBOX owners to enjoy this racing franchise. Since initially only competition was for the Microsoft console from their own home, namely in the form of QUANTUM REDSHIFT to XGRA catapulted equal to the genre tip.
Graphically XGRA was a real eye-catcher. In addition, the routes were covered by the opponent sophisticated and numerous than in previous XG III. The different game modes also offered more variety. Although much criticized by the journals nervous "control and the rather weak and sometimes complicated to handle weapons systems ensured initially for collisions with crash barriers and led to numerous misses with the weapons systems, but after a certain break-in period these small drawbacks could be minimized, however, ,

The focus was and is still the gameplay and the leaves thanks to the styled Plug designs, the highly successful musical numbers (optional rock, dance or in the mix), the crazy characters who also tend now and then to insults during the race action, and last but not least not wait because of the enormous speed feeling long in coming. The control has been very well matched to the PS2 pad and allowed even at speeds beyond the sound barrier still controlled maneuvers.
The Championship mode is cracked after just 10 hours of play and allows access to 5 racing classes (higher is faster), numerous extras and all 14 routes. For Wipeout Practiced however hardly offer challenges because a lengthy practicing anyway unnecessary beforehand. With increasing game speed you get used to fast on the necessary control maneuvers and learned that - in my opinion - easy to handle weapons system. The secondary weapon can be for example in 8 steps to upgrade, to the targeted destruction shot called Death Strike "(similar to the orbital ion cannon from the strategy game Command & Conquer). The lower Aufrüststufen are far less effective, but also allow the charging of the period of treatment booster, the weak Erstwaffe or serve the shields renewal.

However, the options give a little criticism as an opportunity. The great sound tracks can not be selected and also rapid online warfare must be dispensed with. Here heated battles for the best times and for the top places in the global rankings would certainly come to the full game for good.

EVALUATION
Graphics: 80% Sound: 82% game: 77%

CONCLUSION

Total XGRA can with the '97 debut and with the competition, not keep up in the form of Wipeout merger or the highly recommended Powerdrome, quite. However, likely futures Racer fans the last part of EXTREME G - series by its independent ideas and great track design fallen, especially since there is very little alternatives in the genre.