Rallisport Challenge 2

by Microsoft

Product Features

• Incredible off-road racing action, done the way it should be - Features five unique rally sports, including the new Crossover duel
• Feel your heart drop into your stomach as you drive incredible speeds, with real damage modeling and performance degradation
• Realistic physics and crash modeling, right down to the broken windows and ripped-off votes
• Take the action to tracks around the world -- from Australia to the Arctic to the Pacific Northwest
• Fantastic weather conditions modeling - Race in real rain, snow, and fog

Product Details

• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B0001CJEFY
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 5.2 x 0.8 inches ; 4 ounces
• Media: Video Game
• Release Date: May 4, 2004
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #18,407 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Game Informer Review

I get the feeling that the success of the first RalliSport Challenge wasn't due to America suddenly going head over heels for rally racing. No offense to developer Digital Illusions – both the original RalliSport and this one are fun to tear through. However, I think that at the release of the first one, people were more enamored with the graphics of the then-new console. But to capture the hearts of rally fans and the rest of the public, it's going to take more than a pretty face this time around.

RalliSport Challenge 2 gives you more than just rally racing, and this helps open the game up to the player. You can compete against other cars simultaneously in Ice Racing or Rallycross, and the Hill Climb courses offer a change of pace that can be particularly grueling. Apart from this, it is the Career structure that I appreciate the most. Here you can switch between the different difficulties and rack up points to unlock both cars and tracks throughout the game in a great non-linear fashion.

With this excellent framework in place, however, I'm not as happy with the game once my wheels hit the dirt. Cars feel like they pivot on a central point too much. The result is that I could veer from side to side on the road and not feel like I was losing control of the car, even at full throttle. I'm not saying that you won't spin out – there are many opportunities to do that. However, I do think that your feel of the cars is lessened, and it also takes some of the skill and danger out of the races. I suggest that semi-experienced drivers tackle the Champion level first.

Despite the addition of greater physical damage to your cars this time around, I rarely feared for my life, which is something I look forward to in a rally game. The roads are simply too wide to produce that palm-sweating, claustrophobic feeling I crave from a title like Colin McRae. Furthermore, what's the use of putting in car damage if you don't have to repair it? Yes, it looks cool to have your windshield spider, but if you don't have to pay the consequences (such as spending time between races to fix things like in Colin), then that's just window dressing. While you can lose a wheel and have the steering lurch on you, I had to deliberately wreck my car in order for the game's damage to really matter.

My wish for narrower tracks aside, there is a lot to like racing through the game. Some portions can get pretty long, which increases the tension as you wonder when your next oversteer screw-up is going to happen. Of course, some of these mistakes will occur simply because you are marveling at the scenery flying by. The game still looks good in four-player split-screen, but I wouldn't advise playing this way unless you have a giant TV. Xbox Live is worth a tour, since you can race the normally solo-only rally courses with up to three friends.

I'm going to sound like a snob when I say that casual drivers are going to love this to the detriment of seasoned racers. Although I prefer RalliSport 2's career structure to that of Colin, I suggest that if this whets your appetite, that you check out the Scottish master.

Concept:
Digital Illusions tries to open up rally racing to the masses with great graphics and a non-linear structure

Graphics:
This game is a long, cool drink for thirsty eyes – particularly the headlight effects on night races

Sound:
You can choose between simple and advanced co-pilot directions

Playability:
Although I was disappointed in the cars' handling, there are differences among the rides

Entertainment:
There's a lot to take in here, but I keep coming back to my qualms with the racing

Replay:
Moderately High

Rated: 7.25 out of 10
Editor: Matthew Kato
Issue: June 2004

2nd Opinion:
Xbox's rally title isn't a car sim, and it isn't an arcade racer, so it falls into this weird gray area that isn't my cup of tea. I want to have some say about my car – other than a skin that I have to unlock. From a physics standpoint (which I firmly believe is the cornerstone of rally), I think that RalliSport 2 doesn't ever let you get comfortable. I never felt like I knew how my car would react on which surface and at what speed, and isn't that the whole point of rally? The split-screen multiplayer is painful on most courses, but the online options are nice. The final blow to my enthusiasm for this game is the track design. Some are certainly quite nice and very fun, but it was extremely rare for me to get that "barreling down a wooded path with imminent death on both sides" kind of feel. As a whole, the tracks are very wide. Really, with a field this thick, there are other ways to swing the rear end of a Lancer around – and I think I'll opt for those.

Rated: 7 out of 10
Editor: Lisa Mason


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Product Description

RalliSport Challenge 2 will put even the best driver on a collision course with disaster. Test your mettle with updated graphics, incredible physics and a thrilling storyline. Earn your rank among the world's greatest race drivers! You can even go online with XSNsports.com to compete against other racers, competing to be the best. Spectacular new camera angles let players relive their wildest crashes and interactive environments Xbox Live action as you set up your own leagues and rallies

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars All the joy and agony of real racing!, May 13, 2004

By 

DarkDan "DarkDan" (Norman, OK United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Rallisport Challenge 2 (Video Game)

While I am not a racing purist, I enjoyed both Project Gotham games and enjoy playing all arcade racing games on my Xbox and PS2. In RalliSport Challenge 2, I've completed Amateur, Pro and Champion levels with more than 100 races in the game finished.

First off, you should know that this is a racing simulator, not an arcade-style racer, but even given that, DICE has still worked to make the game enjoyable for all skill levels. Unlockables like new cars and tracks for example, are awarded just by playing the game -- you do not have to finish in first place to get them. This alone, makes the game far more enjoyable. Also, simply by driving a car and "putting mileage on it" you'll unlock custom paintjobs for each vehicle. That is until you reach the final stage, SuperRally, where you must place 3rd or better to progress.

STRENGTHS:

The first thing you're going to love about RalliSport Challenge 2 is the graphics. The predecessor (RalliSport Challenge) created the standard for a new level of amazing graphics, but this game improves on that with dynamic graphics, like dirt trails that cloud the view of the people behind you and leaves that kick up from under your tires. Birds resting in your path will take flight as you approach and the scenery can be described as nothing less than picturesque.

The race levels are well designed and well thought out. Each has their own interesting twists and turns and elevation changes have been added so that you can suddenly lose control on a jump or bottom out after a wicked turn. Also, tracks have interesting combinations of sand, mud, dirt and tarmac which all perform differently as you slide through them. Although I may not know from personal experience how it feels to go out of control on snow at 100 MPH, this game gives me a realistic feeling of how bad it would be.

Speaking of which, the damage system works well so that you can't simply play "crash 'em derby" through the races to take out opponents and drive through obstacles, but also doesn't hamper the gameplay by making you drive too cautiously through every turn. You can lose a tire in the game, and believe it or not you can finish by driving on the rims, but your track times will certainly suffer. The game keeps you informed of problems with a damage indicator that is extremely easy to read even at high speeds. In addition, your car will "deteriorate" as you take damage, including blowing out the windows, bumpers dragging behind you and even the hood flying over your head! (Yes, I've instinctively ducked a few times.)

Soundwise, the game is top-notch. The car sounds, special effects and other elements of the game all add to the realism. Although many have complained about the music included on the game, I've enjoyed the thumping tracks as I make my way through the levels and, since the game supports custom soundtracks, you can add your own music anyways.

WEAKNESSES:

Alas, the worst part of playing this game is the off-track camera angles. Because of the elevation changes and other 3D elements of the game, you almost have to play this game in third person view (where your point of view is directly behind the car). Sadly, once you drive too far off track, the camera angle rotates and makes it almost absolutely impossible to get back on track without hitting obstacles and bringing the car to a dead stop. This is worsened when your co-pilot tells you "easy left" and it turns out to be a hairpin turn. You realize that your partner and the game appear to be cheating to work against you.

In addition to the camera angles, the display also can be the cause of a crash. In the RallyCross and Ice Racing competitions, your course map is on the bottom of the screen. As you hit checkpoints, the display changes from the map to show your position in the current race. Obviously, this can be deadly if there's a hairpin turn approaching and you were just glancing down at the map to see how far away you were. In addition, there are a few instances where DICE has placed a "dead end" turn immediately prior to the one you're supposed to take, or a second turn that is sharper than the one your supposed to take. These little "tricks" seem like an additional unfair challenge that the computer cars will not fall for, but also add to the excitement when you outsmart their level designers.

Finally, your opponents do not seem to be affected by darkness or some of the inclement weather conditions. This will certainly frustrate you if you're the kind of player that has to be first in every race.

SUMMARY:

In short, I would recommend this game as a "must have" for anyone who enjoys a true on-road/off-road racing simulation. It should be considered by most a "best of class" game for the Xbox console, despite some of the frustrating shortcomings of the game.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best Rally game out there..., May 23, 2005

By 

Vynny "Vynrod" (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

= Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Rallisport Challenge 2 (Video Game)

I had to write a review entirely because the spotlight review was written by someone who hadn't 'got' this game or taken the time to explore the settings.

Actually, I see reviews all the time claim this game is an 'arcade' rally game, indicating that perhaps the game lacks depth, maybe has unrealistic physics, or even simple fake graphics.

All of these points are wrong. Completely false. The cars handle extremely realistically, and most folks who play this agree this is the BEST looking racer available. Better than Forza? Not sure, but better than PGR2 by a hundred - double the frame rate for start. You see, not least of which is the 60fps you get with a HD TV, but add to that the amazing reflections, muddy splashes, infinite distance view (with a tiny amount of inconsequential pop-up trees) and you have a showcase game. I've had more than one PS2 owner go out and buy an XBOX for this game after playing it in my house - testament indeed to the incredible realism this Rally racer offers.

Previously, the 'easy left' that you co-pi states was mentioned as a fault... When your rally co-pilot claims 'Easy left' or 'hard right' then you have the game on arcade setting.

A simple click in the settings would result in '3 left opens to 4' or '1 right, opens to 3. Bump onto straight through tunnel. Hairpin right' offering a much more useful, accurate indication of the upcoming road conditions.

Ultimately - this game is stunning. Worth every penny of the budget price it's currently at - if you're hesitant due to lax reviews, don't be. I've put in hundreds of hours on this amazing game and it's a real as the Xbox can get.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb!, April 16, 2005

By 

Q - See all my reviews

= Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Rallisport Challenge 2 (Video Game)

I'm not a big gamer. I've had my XBOX for over a year and it's mostly collected dust. I love driving simulation games and I think rally is the most fun of the various forms of driving so I picked up RalliSport Challenge 2 based on a day and a half long online search for a good rally game. All of the reviews said that RSC2 had the best combination of realism, fun and graphics.

They were right! The physics model is incredible and the damage is very realistic. When you start an event, your car is shiny and new - but when you get to the end, you may be missing a few body parts, have a few broken windows and you're covered in dust, mud, etc. Now THAT's RALLY!

Above all though is the scenery! The graphics are so good that one of my favorite things to do is to just watch the replay of the latest run!

Make you own music video! -
The folks who made this game really added a cool feature with the replay options - you have full control over the playback speed and camera selection. Because you can load your own music to the XBOX hard drive, when the replay starts you hear your favorite music playing along with the game sounds and video of your last run. As you control the playback, you can adjust the replay speed from ultra fast to super slow motion with the trigger levers - basically making a live music video out of the replay footage! Very sweet!

Australian dirt, Swedish snow, British leaves, French cobblestone streets...
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