Customer Reviews

Ridge Racer V

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(17)
3 star:		(17)
2 star:		(21)
1 star:		(17)

 

 

This was the first game I played with the PS2, and it immediately put me into a panic. I felt like I wasted a lot of money on the PS2 for graphics & performance & game complexity that aren't at all apparent in Ridge Racer V. This is a simpistic game with graphics that you'd expect to see on the original Playstation. Luckily, I loaded up Madden 2001 next and was treated to some of the advanced capabilities of the PS2. If you must have this game, buy it used. Do not spend the full 50 bucks for a new copy.

The RR series has always been sort of self-explanatory. Realistic looking cars in a realistic environment, but playing like an arcade racer. No great amount of depth (like the Gran Turismo series) but not quite as cartoony as Beetle Adventure Racing or Top Gear Overdrive.

This is just more of the same. Is it the best looking RR ever? Yeah, and it should be, given that its the only PS2 version of the bunch. And, truth be told, it should look better. It does score above-average marks in the style department, but the highly Japanese flavor to it might turn off some gamers. Basically it is what it is: another Ridge Racer game. Type 4 was good for PSX, and a lot of people expected more from this one, but didn't get "the next level" of RR games, just another in a series.

If you want a decent racing game, wait for Gran Turismo 3, or if you've been a RR devotee, then by all means go for this one. For most gamers it's a "been there, done that" kinda thing.

I had never played any of the other Ridge Racer games, so when I bought this title for the PS2, I expected something like the PS1 Gran Turismo series. I was right in terms of graphics, but it's a disappointment otherwise.

The tracks zoom by at an awesome rate of speed, and the lighting effects are top notch. If I could rate the game on graphics alone, I'd give it a 5 star rating.

However, the one aspect of the game that irritated me the most was the announcer. Anyone familiar with the cultural differences between Japan and America would understand why the radio DJ in the game is horribly out of place. The voiceover is of a guy supposedly on the radio talking about the race and occasionally making a comment or critique. He'll often "That was CLOSE!" when you narrowly miss hitting another car.

But there's one moment early on when the announcer talks about how there are multiple racers racing in races all over Ridge City (How's that for alliteration?), and that we (the radio listeners of Ridge City) should "give all of them our full support."

Our what? What American-based game would have this kind of cheesy, communal camraderie between its citizens? None. We're the country of the hard-edged and arrogant, finger-flipping, competitor. The trash-talking capital of the world is right here in the U.S., baby! The Japanese value their sense of community, which is all well and good for them, but it feels Pollyanna-ish and cutesy in the States, and it was quite irritating to me.

At any rate, this is not a horrible game, but I expected much more from it. It has rather mediocre gameplay, which surprised me, and it's certainly not a title you should run out and buy. If you have a PS2, (Lucky, lucky us, huh?) then I'd suggest that you wait until the next Gran Turismo game. It will make this game seem like it's standing still by comparison.

I too own the import of this game and while it certainly has flashy graphics it's very shallow and has nothing significantly different from Ridge 4.

One ironic thing is that the first track is the exact same track from the first Ridge Racer game. When you play it you think, "Wow, it looks almost exactly the same as the original", that's how lackluster the track graphics are.

There are also frequent and distracting problems with the game flickering, and the game is nearly impossible to play split screen.

I'd recommend Gran Turismo 2000 or Metropolis Street Racer on Dreamcast over this one.

I got a playstation 2 (opening day, no reserve ticket, 6 hours of suffering- thank you very much) and bought madden 2001 and ridge racer V. Let's just say I will immediately be returning the latter. Ridge Racer V was a big let down... not only did it take FOR-ever to load between scenes, but sometimes it would just hang up and make me restart the ps2!! I've had no such problems with the other game. Verdict: spend your money on something else.

In short, this game is poo. The graphics are awesome, but then that is nothing unexpected. It looks like you are driving a real car and watching the replay on the TV. It's that good.

But then you are not watching a replay, you are playing the game. The idea is that you are supposed to drive these cars and win races. The controls are horrible: there is no realism to the gameplay. You simply cannot round hairpin turns at 120mph! Oh, wait, sure you can. I just now did it in Ridge Racer V! I suppose I was spoiled by the realism of Gran Turismo on my Playstation I. I simply grew bored with this game within 0.5 hours of tearing the plastic from the jewel case.

The announcing grates on my very soul. When you are in 7th place in a race of 20 cars, a good 2 miles back from the leader going into the final lap, the announcer simply should not state you still have a chance!! Whatever, that is a small complaint. I just found myself cursing the woman who popped out the child which developed the lispy voice of this games announcer.

If you are looking for a great racing game, get a different one. GT has better graphics, more realistic game play and does not have a hell-spawn announcer. Namco had better titles out when I was 12!

If you're looking for realistic, simulation driving, go get Gran Turisimo 3 A-spec. If you want great arcade racing, get this. Loaded with power sliding, impossible physics, no car damage and limited brake use, the gameplay feels a lot more like being in a movie than in a car. Overall, it is my favorite racing game, next to GT3. Although extras are sparse, gameplay is pretty good and it's entertaining. Now with GT3, there's little reason to get RRV, but it remains a good game on the system. It was certainly one of the best at release. But it does feel good to powerslide at high speed after failing licence tests in GT3.

Well...what happens a lot with this game is that people dont take the time to really play it...at least get a proper feel to the game(and not just play 5 rounds and quit..=P)..if youve only played the older Ridge racer games(revolution)...this game is way differnt...cars handle very differntly from the older RR's...they have GRIP cars and DRIFT cars...but..its very similar to RR Type 4.....However i gave it 4 stars because of the fact that it IS TOO similar to RR type 4...but its still worth buying..the whole presentation of the game is totally differnt..it is unlike any other racer i have ever seen...you can tell this game has quality right off the bat...as an arcade racer it beats the heck out of any GranTurismo game...what people have to keep in mind is that ridge racer is meant as an Arcade style racer and not a simulation like what GT offers..so i really dont see why people compare the 2 games soo much even though they are very differnt...so if you love arcade style racing games..this is a must have...or of your new the the genre this is a good title to start off with.

This game is nothing to get excited over, but it's not horrible either. The graphics are ok, but they don't compare to other launch games such as madden and ssx. Basically, I would say this game is about equal to Gran Turismo 2 for playstation. If you don't own this game, I would recommend waiting for Gran Turismo 2000 to come out instead of rushing out to get this one.

This game [is not very good]

I own 6 games for PS2 and this is the only game that causes the console to lock-up. Namco will not admit there's a problem. I replaced the CD with another CD and had the same problem. Namco says it's a problem with my console, but no other game has ever locked up.

I heard some developers were having problems writing games for the PS2. I'm sure Namco is one of the developers that has had problems.

I won't by another game that has the Namco name on it. Their support is useless.

Save your money... don't bother with this game.

The best game I have so far is Madden NFL 2001.