Nothing like the original
The original game didn't follow some hollow story, as this arcade style game doesn't need it; simply you're a rookie working your way up the ranks and aquiring better bikes along they way. Its all illegal road racing with a bitter twist - you get to brawl with the other riders.
RR has tongue-and-cheek written all over its title, with the funny looking steriotypical bikers and thier mean ways. Start brawling with one and expect a fight back until one of you falls off and has to get back on.
The 3DO version retains many of the features, such as the ability to run back to your bike and carry on riding once you've fallen off or been beaten off. The graphics are a massive improvement, in that the seem more realistic, but have lost the vibrant colours of the 1st RR games.
You also realise the graphics are somewhat glitchy; one moment you're looking up an empty raod and the next thing you know a car appears out of no-where, as if it has spawned in and catches you unaware; hence I always ride down the middle of the road.
GAMEPLAY - is very important and this game falls down. Yes you've still got the basic lean to the left or right movement but there it ends. You now have the added feature of the lean-out button allowing you to corner harder, in theory, but in reality you just end up skidding you way round like speedway.
The control of the bike is horrible and not like the original game. Hit an oil or dirt patch and you just power slide along and it barely costs you; whereas the original games you would fall off, meaning for a more realistic challenging game.
The fighting is much the same; only a chain or bat to be used. This has got to be the best part of the game over any other bike games, just no better than the original.
Falling off means you fall behind a little, but you soon catch up the leader again, they seem to slow down for you. Maybe this helps make it more fun but falling off doesnt cost you as much as it did before. Catching the 1st person up is all too esy with a quick bike, unlike the old game, where it could take the whole race without any more mistakes.
Your opponents have different characteuristics but this doesnt count for much; they dont seem to be that clever. The old game was great, the same people out front, some you could make friends with and others were just mean, guranteeing a fight. Cops still fight you but again not as well as before; they ride real slow.
The TRACKS are all too similar. There is now the added 'split' track where you choose to fork off left or right, but both bringing you back to the same road; one tending to be quicker but more dangerous; nice touch. However, as I was saying, the tracks are all the same pretty much, fast flowing sweeping roads without any challenge; whereas the old game was different, from the dusty roads of Texas to the twisty dangerous roads of Alaska which had cows everywhere. The new RR is boring in comparison.
There is barely any point in mentioning the sounds; you just have teh noise of your bike which becomes a monetanous drone. The police sirens break it up a little. If you hear another bike coming up on you, just swerve a bit and get ready to punch - its easy.
I could carry on all day saying how bad this game is. Infact its better than any other on the 3DO of its time, but has many flaws to do with the AI / physics. Its still great fun to go bashing a rider with a chain.
You get a handfull of tracks each getting longer and harder as you progress. You earn cash for winning and buy better bikes, making the competition too easy. How easy.... well I decided to keep my 1st rat bike and see how far I could get.... upto level 4, which shows how bad this game is.
EA - do better , much better please, as this WAS a great game.