Ducati World Racing Challenge Review
Ducati World Racing Challenge makes a good effort at providing the kind of gameplay and variety that racing fanatics desire.
Between EA Sports' Supercross and THQ's Championship Motocross 2001, it has been a good winter for PlayStation motorbike games. Acclaim's latest entry, Ducati World Racing Challenge, aims to offer a third alternative. Bearing the renowned Ducati license and sporting an array of options that's sure to draw parallels to Gran Turismo, the game is worth looking into if you're looking for an arcade motorbike experience that's not as toddler-friendly as others in the genre. A simulation it's not and perfect it's not, but there's some spice to be had with Ducati World.
Before delving into what Ducati World has in store, you should know that it will take some time to acclimate yourself to the game's mechanics. Even though Ducati World isn't a simulation, developer ATD has still put a great deal of thought into the game's handling and physics. Because of this, you have to pay careful attention to how slight surface variations or terrain composition will affect your braking and acceleration. Crossing over dirt and gravel increases steering sensitivity, which may cause you to veer into a retaining wall, while oversteering when rolling over bumps may cause you to jackknife. Making contact with other riders is a further no-no, and it will often send you flying headlong across the pavement. There are also random times when the game's physics seem to hiccup, which can also lead to any number of unforeseen, nasty spills. Despite these nuances, though, Ducati World Racing Challenge is definitely geared toward the kind of motorcycle fan who wants an inviting, arcade-style experience.
With that out of the way, there is a great deal of tangibility packed into Ducati World's game modes. There's the Ducati life option, a Gran Turismo-style career mode that lets you live the day-to-day life of a rookie motorcycle rider. You'll start with $10,000 and a low-end bike. Where you go from there is up to you. As you complete races and earn money, you can purchase new bikes from the game's five showrooms or acquire upgrades to improve your bike in eight different areas. After tweaking your bike's power, weight, acceleration, braking, and grip characteristics, you can then take your bike back into battle for more money. A series of license tests teaches you new skills and prepares you for tougher events, while a challenge mode lets you pit your skills against a big-name superstar (or a human opponent) for cash or a new ride. And you can purchase new helmets and leathers--if you're into that sort of thing. For action fans, the game's quick race option, an "arcade career" mode, lets you turn a choice of five bikes and five courses into more than 40 true-to-life Ducati motorcycles and nine realistic courses. Each bike has its own power, weight, and top-speed ratings, while selections from Ducati's '50s, '60s, '70s, '80s, Monsters, Sport Touriers, Supersports, and Superbike lines should bring a tear to any motorcycle aficionado's eye. Each mode features a two-player split-screen option for human competition as well.
Ducati World Racing Challenge Quick Links
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- GameSpot Scoregood
Critic Scores
- IGN 6 / 10
- Game Vortex 78 / 100
- Game Power AU 6.5 / 10
- AntKids.com 70 / 100
- PSX Nation 86 / 100
- Gameguru Mania 4 / 5
- Digital Sports 77 / 100
- Game Power 3 / 4
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- Acclaim
- Attention
- Motorcycle Racing
- Release: Jan 2, 2001
- ESRB: Everyone
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