Shox is exactly the type of racing game I love because it includes a ton of innovations that make it more fun than the average racer. Technically, it's an excellent example of the genre on the PS2 with great graphics (supporting widescreen TVs), good sound, and a consistently smooth frame-rate (though I have yet to demo it in 4-player mode due to the required purchase of the multi-tap adapter). The gameplay is exciting and fast-paced right from the beginning, which is always welcome. Unlike the excellent realistic rally games such as Colin McRae 3, Shox is all about arcade-style, high-speed, fast-action, flashy gameplay. It's just what I like to relax with or play against a friend. Controls are basic, but very good and you don't have that frustrating tendency in lesser racing games of not being able to steer fully left and right to go around curves. You can turn the wheel as far as you like and tap the handbrake to throw-out the rear end and keep your speed up. Fun is found in innovations such as having to beat times in short checkpoints throughout each individual race. I like having these mini-challenges and the pay-off of meeting these challenges is very cool with impressive audio and visual effects as well as cash bonuses to purchase other vehicles. Although you can't upgrade your car with individual parts like a more serious racing game, you can earn "platinum" versions of each vehicle that boosts it to its maximum potential. You also have plenty of real-life vehicles to earn throughout the game. Practically every race that you do well in unlocks something in the game from a secret vehicle that was not previously available, to night versions of the current track. I appreciate this method of rewarding the player often with legitimate bonuses. Graphically, the game is great for a PS2, which isn't saying much when you look at the competition on the Xbox, but the environments and variety keep you interested in what new tracks are coming up. The sound is good, but not great with no support for surround and a very limited soundtrack of forgettable tunes. I appreciated the good use of sound in adding to the effects of the Shoxwave, cut-scenes, etc.. I've been playing the game for the better part of a week and have yet to tire of it or even get close to beating it since I'm trying to unlock everything. I prefer a game like Shox to games such as Project Gotham Racing 1 or 2 because of the excellent "fun" experience, with little of the frustration. You can pick-up Shox for about $15 in the bargain bins and I believe it is well worth your time.
Even though I like this game a lot, I just wanted to comment that the game does grow old after just a few hours of gameplay. There's only so much you can do with this game (race and damage your car). There are newer ga... Read Full Review
Shox is an arcade game that succeeds for better or worse in all areas. It's a simple game, there is no tuning, no upgrades, just nice simple rally cross racing. The game consists of racing in four different classes of ve... Read Full Review
