PowerDrome isn't a bad game, but it's hardly a remarkable one either.
(-) Not a lot of content, derivative to F-Zero or other sci fi racers, it promised online but it doesn't have it
PowerDrome is a sci-fi racer where humans and monsters and aliens race in future themed environments. I find that theme to be a little derivative to the F-Zero idea, but as the game itself it is alright. Honestly, when I first put this game in and played it, if felt more like an arcade game where one puts a quarter in a machine and says "Yup, I'll play this." Because the entire sci-fi racer has this weird, budget arcadey feel to it that doesn't help nor hurt the game, but the sensation is there to stay nonetheless.
You know, it's funny. The day I bought this game, I found a horde of used copies of it on sale. I mean, on the Gamestop shelf there were what appeared to be twenty or thirty of them, apparently they were sent back by disatisfied customers through trade in's and nobody was buying them. I got literally tired of seeing the game everywhere I looked, and took a copy home for as low as three dollars. It was a budget title to start with, and apparently it never made big if my trip to the store that day was an accurate indication.
In PowerDrome you don't race in ships, cars, karts, or any of the traditional means of racing transportation. You drive in jet-engine anti-gravity bikes called "blades" into the sci fi world at some pretty exaggerated speeds. The whole concept sounds unique at the start but many people will think of F-Zero and Wipeout the very minute they start playing the game.
The controls in PowerDrome are pretty sharp. It operates exclusively with the analog controls. Steering is pretty tight and sharp, and you increase your speed or attack other racers with a button to boost, and repair damage from crashing into other objects with another. As fast as your going in this blade, the speedometer often exceeds 2000 miles per hour, you'd have to have sharp turning ability in order to drive with even mediocre skill through these inner space worlds.
The graphics are pretty solid but not quite the best of the PS2. This game is actually based on a 1980 release on the same game, and some of the character models can make that clear. You have a bunch of weird looking Star Wars styled aliens, as well as the gorgeously hot Jenna Ferrante who you see on the cover of the game. The environments follow a sci fi pattern but are given much care and detail, and the frame rate stays in control. Which is good because the sense of speed can be very intense at times, make no mistake when you're going almost 2000 miles per hour, it has to look fast!
The sound however doesn't have quite so much going for it. The sounds of the engine are naturally done and okay to listen to, but the music is mostly forgettable and each of the racers have a very short selection of voice clips that will get annoying to listen to after a short while.
You go at insane speeds, like 1000 miles per hour and the feel of speed for the game is tremendous. You'll find yourself racing through some really weird looking levels, from seaside pastures with boulders and trees to tunnels into the water and from wooden vines to space arsenals. Some of the tracks are a little too narrow to pass through at high speeds though, and rubbing up against them will result in damage to your blade. Luckily this issue isn't too prevalent that it could make you hesitant from playing it, like, dear God, XGRA Extreme Gravity Racing Association, but its annoying nonetheless. Also a problem, there isn't a great deal of variety in the track design because there are sometimes what appears to be different variations of the same track, like one track that goes in an industrial tunnel around a dark outer space city settlement with bright colors and lights, and what appears to be the same exact track but with different turns. That seems odd.
However there just isn't much content that has variety and substance to keep you going back for more. There are basically only time trials, knock outs, and circuit races for arcade and multiplayer modes. There are unlockable tracks and racers, some of the weirdest looking I have ever seen, and some images and videos. But other than that there just isn't much reason to play. Not to mention the online mode is missing.
PowerDrome isn't a bad game by any means, nor is it a great one. You may enjoy it if you buy it, but if you don't you're not missing out on a whole lot. I suggest find it in the bargain ben, I've seen the PS2 version as low as $00.99.