Split Second
SCORE: 88
Thousands have been following our coverage of Split/Second. Screen
shots, press releases, and other information that we can impart upon our
amazing readers. This racing game is like nothing I have every played
before. It is set in a fictional world where a television show
chronicles these extreme racers in some insane conditions. To say
Split/Second is explosive is an understatement. Starting and ending the
race is like the entrance for a professional wrestler in the WWE. Then
there are the power plays. What are the power plays you ask? Patience my
friends, I will get to it.
I am still in awe of how fantastic Split/Second looks. The vehicles,
tracks, and damage are photo realistic. The explosions can leave a
little haze that obstructs your view. I was in shock every single time I
smashed into something like a pillar or a wall. The lighting effects of
Split/Second are amazing as well. There are a lot of explosions, and
vehicles take some nasty damage. Split/Second earns its ESRB rating.
Building your drift gauge allows the player to trigger power plays.
These are things that can crash other cars. Some examples are a wrecking
ball going across the track, and a helicopter shooting a missile at
vehicles.
The television angle to Split/Second is really clever. The developer
Blackrock Studio put a lot into the presentation of this game. I enjoyed
listening to the announcers talk about the upcoming track, along with
the tutorial. The car sounds are fantastic. Split/Second has some little
things in the audio that make the player feel the speed. These little
things really enhance the game play experience in Split/Second.
There are twelve television episodes with multiple missions per episode.
I was given the Xbox 360 version to play, which has leaderboards, and
plenty of achievements. One of the coolest things about Split/Second is
the achievements you reach become decals on your vehicle. You can show
off your achievements by racing others online. Oh yes there is an eight
player online mode, and a split screen two player local mode.
Split/Second contains a lot of replay value.
The controls in Split/Second are amazing. I learned very quickly to be
strategic with my power plays. The reason is you can crash into the
power play you set off. In the beginning I did that a lot with this
game. I started learning how to avoid them, and business really picked
up then. The better you do the more points you earn. Those points unlock
better cars. Split/Second contains different kinds of races to keep it
fresh. Elimination (where the last place vehicle is eliminated), placing
(end the race in a certain place), avoid damage (like from a helicopter)
are some of the non traditional modes that stick out in my mind. The
tracks change depending on the power plays, and short cuts that are
opened - which really keeps this game fresh.
The biggest issue families will have with Split/Second is the explosive
mayhem. I draw a distinction between this game, and say Twisted Metal.
The player triggers events that can hurt themselves and/or others.
However the players are not shooting at their competitors. Smart players
learn where the power plays are in levels and avoid them. I would like
to see sequels to Split/Second in the future. I had a lot of fun playing
this game, as did others who played it with me. The goal in Split/Second
is to get to the finish line in first place. How you do so says a lot
about you. I found that you can win races by racing cleanly in
Split/Second.
- Frank
Graphics: 85%
Sound: 90%
Replay/Extras: 95%
Gameplay: 89%
Family Friendly Factor: 79%
System: Xbox 360/PC/Playstation 3
Publisher: Disney Interactive Studios
Rating: 'E10+' for Everyone 10+
{Violence}
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