Customer Reviews

BAJA: Edge of Control

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I first have to start off by addressing those that have complained about the controls and handling on this game. These gamers obviously have no clue what happens to a truck, suv, or 4x4's on the rough off road terrain. The creators did an excellent job on taking real life events, and tranferring it to the next-gen video games. The handling and controls represent also exactly what would happen to a truck racing at those speeds over uneven terrain. So honestly, it you really aren't into four wheeling, or off roading, then you wont appreciate this game at all... That's like me purchasing a WWE video game when I'm not into wrestling at all, and then post a bad review on the moves!

Any dirt riding junkie will apprecite this game for what it is, the graphics aren't the best that we've seen on a racing game, but you can't put the bar too high for THQ. However, that isn't stating that the graphics are bad neither, I am very statisfied with the games presentation and physics. They have a wide range of trucks, and 4x4's to choose from, and they did a wonderful job in creating the enviroments.

Being that the game is a hard item to pick up used at any gamestop, I definitely recommend buying this new, it's something you wont regret, but only if you truly understand off roading. Those that complain about the controls and handling, and wine about how hard it is to finish a race or stay on the road. Stick to the pavement stable boys! Leave the hard tarrain of dirt, mud, hills, and jumps to those that know what to do with it.

Baja Racing: Edge of control is not wasted money for the off road fan!

Disclaimer: this is not a normal review.
This is actually a specialized review, but for those searching for what I am searching, it will answer the question. The question is: where can I get that same fun, free feeling that I got when I played Smuggler's Run for the PS2?

Smuggler's Run was a great driving and off-roading game for the PS2 that I loved and still love to this day. The "game" itself is not really a racing game, but more of a chasing game where the police try to catch you while you traverse large, complex-for-the-era landscapes and it's really fun. But what I loved most about the game was the free play mode where you could just roam about and explore the environment. Moreover, you could do this on a split-screen with a friend. It was just plain fun to cruise around the hills and paths, splash in the puddles and crash into each other: a mindless, zen-like state of pleasure and freedom.

Since then, I've been looking for a follow up to the game on the XBOX 360 or PS3... and I hadn't really found one. There are some small forum posts around the net that ask this very question, so I started there. They recommended Burnout: Paradise which is really fun and does let you cruise around the city freely, but does not let you go anywhere in the horizon like an off-roading game does.
Then there is Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit. So much fun! So fast and exciting! But again, the exploration is pretty limited to the roads, so I would say you can cruise around but not really explore.

Then I tried Pure, a very fun game that is best summarized as SSX in an ATV. I loved the graphics and hoped for some exploration possibilities but it won't let you off the track...
DiRT2 is also insanely beautiful and I did like the mechanics of racing, but this really is a RACING game only, and there was no exploration in the off times...
Which brings us to FUEL. I was so excited about this game! It seemed to be EXACTLY what I wanted, with huge maps and changing weather and even a neat-soundings story... but I was pretty sad when I played it. The graphics were really crummy, and the mechanics of playing were simply not fun. The environments were BIG, but not that interesting... I only played a few hours and was simply not interested to continue.

Okay, all that said, enter BAJA. I had low hopes for this one and am so excited to be pleasantly surprised! First off, the graphics are good enough--not DiRT2 good, but really nice. Second, the controls are really great! Floaty and surreal, yes, but very much like Smuggler's run which I would describe as "arcade like"--it really works in the game. Above all, this game is FUN! My brother and I did some split-screen games and ended up playing for 5 hours without stopping. We were laughing and laughing, and sort of in shock at how much fun it was. We did some races (which are verrrrry long, longer than I'd like, but STILL manage to be fun!), did the Hill Climbing which is neat, and then, most of all, did lots of free roaming. The environments are well-done and there are lots of little easter eggs to discover. I found a Tony Montana-like house in the desert with a big globe that said "The World is Mine". We found a "Desert Playground". And we found some jumps that looked impossible, but after many runs were were able to clear them.

With no exaggeration, this game is the most fun I've experienced in YEARS. Just a pure joy to play and experience, no pressure, no "Scripted Sequences", and the ability to share it with a friend on the split screen. Certainly this is not for everyone, but for those searching, you can stop here...

I really WANTED and expected to rate this game higher. Graphics are fantastic, although they could use a bit more tuning for overall fit and finish. Still, the scenery is gorgeous.

My big complaint with this game is the excessive difficulty. I am a veteran racer and long time fan of the genre, but this is by far the most difficult racing game I have ever played. Even on "easy", you are hard pressed to top anywhere near the top three once you get out of the opening class of rigs. Very dissappointing that they would make a game so overwhelmingly difficult. If not for that, this could be a four star game, easily. Instead, it ends up being endless hours of frustration.

If you are into any type of off roading, then this video game is something you should check out. First off, this game is almost nearly impossible to pick up used at gamestop. I tried 5 different gamestops that I usually stop by here and there, depending if I'm in the neighborhood, and none of them had a used copy of Edge of Control. Which told me 2 things: A. The manufacturer didn't produce as many copies as other titles, and B. people are finding this game so entertaining that they are just unwilling to give it up.

With that said, I ended up buying a new copy, and from the moment the game fired up with the spanish guitar playing, I knew right away this was going to be a fun purchase. Now I own a Jeep Grand Cherokee 4x4 V8 which I take up into the Rocky Mountains regularly, exploring as many four wheel trails as I can find... So as soon as I played a few of the race types that are offered in the game: Race rally, Baja, Hill climb, and Free roam. I found myself having so much fun; love all the different veichle types that you can choose: 4x4. mini trucks, full-size trucks etc... All the maps are so much fun to explore, not exactly the best graphics that the 360 can push, but you can't put the bar too high for THQ. Being as it may, if you are undecided about getting this or not, I'll tell you if you love racing on the dirt, mud, rocks, and/or trying to push your truck to the limit in scaling a mountain. Than you will definitely appreciate this game for what it is.

Set at $39.99 new, I can vouch any four wheeling junkie will get his rocks off on this game. Not too sure for those that don't share the enthusiasm as us truck and suv drivers, but a good racing game nevertheless.

I've played a large percentage of the racing games available for the Xbox 360 and this has to be the worst one I've ever picked up. The graphics are okay, but nothing special, but what kills the game is the absolutely lousy handling of the vehicles. I know that other reviewers say it's realistic, but at some point it just doesn't work in a video game. Winning is more dumb luck than skill in this game so I'm giving it a big thumbs down and will probably make it the first racing game I've ever traded in effective this weekend as I don't think I'll ever be inclined to pick it up and try it again.

Baja, edge of Control is quite unique. It has a lot of things, an incredibly large ammount of tracks, a wide selection of cars, an interesting career mode, however, it's also a game with a lot of downsides, like the fact that most tracks are indistinguishable one from another, some are too long, and the music doesn't quite match the game overall (it's easy to asume the game has no music at all, since the default setting for it is on the lowest volume).

The big point however, is the controls. The game is incredibly tough to handle, not only due to the bouncy physics (which IMHO are awesome) but the ammount of ability required to handle cars. Having the fastest car, even in maximum speed and acceleration won't always give you first place, on the contrary, knowing how to handle the vehicle and knowing how to take turns using brakes, hand brakes and the clutch is esential. In fact, improving your car in career mode for the first circuits can actually be detrimental as a high powered machine will often fly off curves, literaly.

Overall, I like this game just for the 4 player split screen. There are very few games with it on the 360. Be advised however, this isn't everyone's cup of tea. You could, however, memorize which are the shortest races and play with friends there, because some others can easily go for 20 - 40 minutes, lasting more than most TV-Shows, feature films, and your friends patience.

Better than Dirt2 and most other car games. Much better than Baja 1000. I play with force feedback wheel and the simulation is incredible, lots of tuning options and very long baja roads. This game was a complete surprise, graphics wise and control. Its very real and fun fun fun.

This is a great game. It has no more faults than any other racing game out there. The Multiplayer has flaws but for $[...] its a bargain! The racing is intense, rapid and gives the player a dynamic feeling when navigating the courses. Wear is real, as is the AI and upgrades. Overall its a beautiful game. 2XL needs to advertise this game better.

Game runs like a real baja race. Been to several races in mexico and the trucks and buggies are exact to the tee.

I have been racing off-road trucks and cars for over 17 years and I have to say this is the the best off-road game every created. though in honesty there hasnt been that many.
the Pros: The graphics are awsome, the Terrain and Vehicle Graphics. They did a great job of recreating some of the worlds best off-road race teams, and actual race cars and trucks in this Game. Go to any BITD, or Score race and you will see most if all of the teams depicted in this game. for the most part the game play is very fun. the sounds of the Vehicles are almost perfect, even right down to the squeeling brakes and rocks in the undercarrige. The vehicle setup is fairly realistic when it comes to Suspension and tranny and others. and the vehicle up grades are fairly realistic as well. also its good to see alot of the big name off-road companies in this game. From BFG, to Ford, to Jimco and Porter, to Fox shocks and hundreds more.
CONS: To Arcade like in some aspects. when hitting a jump you can semi control the truck in the air. there is no button in a real life truck that lets you control it once you leave the ground. its all on your driving and suspension set up. thats how it should be in the game.
while the support Chopper is fun. its very unrealistic. in fact its down right illegal to have chopper support fix your vehicle in real life. The one thing I think the makers realy missed was Check points and Pits. they are such a huge, huge part of Desert racing. if you can limp your broken car to a pit mabay you can get fixed. Thats how it should have been in the game. on Circuit mode they have a BFG hot pit set up. but its almos worthless on Circuit mode. the races are so competitve you realy dont have time to stop. if you stop your out of the running.
also to arcade like is the damage. cosmetic wise it looks awsome. but you realy have to constantly beat your vehicle up before it realy breaks.
also some big names didnt get in the game for some reason. Chuck Hovey in class 1, Curt Leduc in Class 8, Team Ford in Trophy Truck class. those are just off the top of my head. and some teams Vehicles got depicted wrong. Team Margaritas car in the game is a Cheneworth when in real life is a Jimco. Bennett Truckings Class 8 is a 70's Ford, not a 60's Ford. and Moss Brothers racing class 3 is a Ford Bronco not a Chevy Blazer. I am sure there are a few more. but this is a small complaint.

overall this game rocks. IT is fun to play, the Graphics and sounds are awsome. there is some great live clips in the game here and there. if you want a racing game thats not the Norm, or if you love Desert racing. this is the game for you.