Customer Reviews

Star Wars, Episode 1: Racer

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

(This review applies to the Macintosh version of Star Wars Racer). A fun, exceptionally fast-paced game that brings racing to the Star Wars video game universe (and more multimillions to George Lucas's coffers). But before you buy, check the system requirements carefully: while this runs fine on my brand-new iMac, I'm hearing that many older Macs aren't supported for this fast-running program. The key to watch out for in the system requirements seems to be "3-D hardware support (OpenGL compatible); iMac and newer machines require no extra hardware" (according to the system requirements on Amazon's page). That's why I give it 3 stars...the game itself would be worth five stars but it loses a couple for being persnickity and only running on Macs that were seemingly introduced last week. While I applaud LucasArts for pushing the envelope in creating the game, owners of older hardware should have a chance to run it too, and not at speeds of Jabba the Hutt.

I recently bought this game and I can say I wasn't dissapointed. This game is based on the Pod Racing Sequence in The Phantom Menace (I would go further, but I know you already saw it, you did didn't you?). Most anyone who saw it probably thought "It probably took them a long time to do those computer animations" and then as an afterthought "Wouldn't it be fun if I did that?". Well guess what, through the marvels of today's 3D computer technology you can, and it's fun!

The graphics are great, I set all the settings on high in the options and I have to say I am impressed, from the little stream coming from the back of the pod to the transparencys to the cool other stuff... mmmm...

Also, the track design is great, while it can be confusing at times (several routes), there is a great amount of replay value in just one track. From trying to find a shorter way to get from point C to point D and so on.

I strongly reccomend this game for anyone, especially Star Wars Fanatics and Fantasy Racing Fans

Somebody made a mistake at Lucas Arts and released a fun arcade action game for the Mac. This is an addictive speed demon-type first person that requires adaptive dexterity and clever intuition. In a perfect world there would be an expansion set with more tracks and a build your own track editor.

This is a great game! It has 25 races, and you have to come fourth or better to go on to next one. The later levels are hard, but I have almost won. The graphics are exellent and you have a lot of racers to be (every level you get another racer), including some of the ones on the movie. There are eight different worlds that you can race on, from Tattoine to the ice world. Sometimes you can get up to over a thousand miles per hour. The only problems with this game are that you can only play multiplayer if you have two CD's, and, you get bored of it after a while. Overall this game is great, and especially for the price!

This was made for pre-OSX Macs, but will work in OSX if you have a PowerPC with the Classic environment installed. It will not work with a Core Duo / Intel Mac, as these systems do not support pre-OSX software. If you are not sure what kind you have, you can click on the Apple icon in the upper left of your screen and choose "About this Mac." Look at the section describing your processor.

A fun little racer, visceral and noisy; makes you feel like you're really at the races from Episode 1.

This game was actually a lot more fun than I thought it would be. I took a chance when I purchased it, because on the whole I don't really care for racing games, (Having ridden in numerous Porsches at high triple digit speeds, how much fun can a racing game be?) However, LucasArts manages to give a very nice impression of speed as you sling down tracks designed by sadists. The graphics really are top notch as well, though it is quite obvious that no one has yet been able to create convincing trees-they always seem to look like cardboard cut outs. The pacing is exquisite as is the sense of break neck speed. The only let down are the crash explosions which resemble dust devils that a furious fireball of twisted metal.

As with all good racing games, the player can customize his pod with a never ending list of upgrades-better engines, better cooling, better grip...the pods hover...uh, well, never mind. Anyway, players can race all of the pods seen in the film with each one you fly, you get a new batch of alien expletives each time you are overtaken by another racer. Additionally there are eight worlds upon which you race, not just Tatooine. There is the water world, Aquilaris and Ando Prime, an ice world and probably some of the better tracks. There is Mon Gazza which is a lot like New Jersey or Hamilton, depending on where you're from. Malastare with its flaming methane gasses, the prison asteroid of Oovo IV, (again, one of the better sets of tracks), Ord Ibana, where you race on abandoned tabanana gas mining station, (huge frustration factor on the later ones), and finally Baroonda, like Naboo which makes up some of the tougher tracks.

The game is helped along by solid music, some of which are exerpts and different versions taken from the original score. I wouldn't recommend this for any serious Star Wars gamer unless you don't mind the shape your fun comes in. This is by no means Jedi Knight or X-Wing Alliance, but a credible game by LucasArts as they cash in on the Phantom Menace franchise, in fact, it is one of the better games in the new series of releases. Also, this game is probably better suited for the Playstation or N-64 rather than the PC. Beyond that, this is a fast and fun little title.

This game is so much fun...I commute 60 miles a day. I bought the game for my "man". As a 53 year old woman, it never occurred to me that it would be a thrill for me to play. My son was amazed that I even thought of buying this game. Of course, it wasn't for me. Now, my "man" and I are having a really good time exchanging racing experiences. During my commute to work, I encounter situations similar to these races- insults from other drivers, overheating engines, unexpected obstacles in the road (box springs, boulders, bicycles, over-turned vehicles). It is so much fun to put the pedal to the metal and not worry about crashing and dying, as you have to do in the real world of commuting to work. This game is easy to start, fun on even the lowest levels (my level, a slow amateur), and has lots of opportunities to go faster, smarter and on all sorts of tracks. Fun for all in the family, ladies included. My only problem is that I am driving my truck like a podracer.......

This game has its ups and downs. The ups are you get to buy things for your podracer to increase speed, turning, etc., and you can switch podracers in the middle of a game. The downs are it can be really slow and the graphics can get really choppy on the slower computers. Also, all of the really good stuff comes after tempting things that seem like a really big help but cost alot, so you never have enough money. Overall, it's a pretty good game, but the downs got it too three stars.

great game mix of hard and soft real neat

Climb on, strap in, and experience the adrenaline-pumping excitement of the Podracing sequence from Star Wars Episode 1 The Phantom Menace. Take the controls as Jedi-to-be Anakin Skywalker or any one of some 20 other Podracers and feel the full-force blast of two massive jet engines at simulated speeds of up to 600 miles per hour. Rein in a turbine-driven chariot through eight worlds. Negotiate through flaming methane lakes, Tusken Raider assaults, antigravity tunnels, and much more in a...