Reviewed
08.05.2000
Publisher
Sega
(Japan)
Acclaim
(USA)
Developer
AM2
Format
GD
Origin
Import/Domestic
Available
Aug.
3, 2000 (Japan)
Sep.
1, 2000 (USA)
Exclusive
Yes
Difficulty
Adjustable
Dimensions
3D
View
1st
Person
Genre
Racer/Sim
Players
1-2
Options
Backup
22
Internet
(Japan)
Link
(Japan)
Racing
Wheel
Rumble
VGA
Box
Requires
n/a
Importable
99% |
INTRO:
> A tradition of excellence... originality... playability...
quality -- Sega's AM2. Yu Suzuki set out to create the definitive
Ferrari simulation with a full license and the aid of the car's manufacturer.
What emerged was another multi-screen (3) Naomi wonder which set new standards
for arcade realism, both in gameplay and graphics. The question,
of course, was can AM2 successfully reduce the game to one screen and one
Dreamcast? The answer was apparent when the single screen arcade
unit appeared a while ago...
> You know you need this game. If you can't wait until September
for the US version, then importing will not be difficult. Almost
everything is in English -- certainly the items you need to know.
Other than that, the Japanese version includes a Link cable Versus mode
and an internet mode, both of which Acclaim are supposedly cutting out
(idiots).
GRAPHICS:
> Yu Suzuki has mastered the Naomi/Dreamcast. F355 Challenge is a
"Heavenly Symphony" of graphics like you've never seen at home. I'm
talking ultra-rock-solid smooth, highly detailed backgrounds, anti-aliased
perfection, and effects like there's no tomorrow. The view is strictly
in the driver's seat -- that's fine with me because the level of detail
and sight distance are excellent. The Ferrari's are highly detailed
with nary a polygon to be distinguished. This game produces the thought,
"I bought a 128-bit system to see graphics like this". It doesn't
matter what you use, but the VGA Box offers the best possible experience.
> You want weather? Well, you can either select it or make
it random. You wanna see reflections? Behold AM2's car models.
You'd like to see the driver's arm making steering inputs? Just play
this game. You want realistic smoke? Watch what happens when
the guy in front of you stands on the brakes. Basically, I have no
complaints whatsoever about the graphics.
CONTROL:
> This is where F355 really shines. Note, this game is a simulation.
If you select "Novice" control, however, it becomes a lot more arcade-like.
Now, don't be turned off by the sim aspects of the game because they're
quite enjoyable. Anyway, the buttons are shift up, shift down, brake,
accel, assist select, and assist on/off. I have to say this game
has the best controller/wheel response I've seen in a racer. You'll
certainly need plenty of response and practice to finish with the big boys,
but the learning curve is well worth it...
SOUND:
> Excellent! The game is chock full of rockin' guitar music and a
little jazz. You can set the volume and select which tune to hear
in each race as well. As for the sound effects, another big "E".
I mean just the sound of the engine roaring is enough to make me want to
go out and actually race! There's an effect for everything and rest
assured, they all sound realistic.
FUN:
> A stroke of genius! Choose from Arcade, Championship, Single Play,
Versus Play (split screen), Cable Versus Play (Jap), and Network Race (Jap).
Add control and race type sub-modes to round out a decent amount of variety.
Top that off with 6 courses: Suzuka, Suzuka-short, Sogo, Motegi,
Monza, and Long Beach. Sure there's only one
type of car in this game, but it's a Ferrari 355...
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