"It's insanely fun!"
Split/Second (also know as Split/Second: Velocity) is a fast paced racing game developed by Black Rock Studio and published by Disney Interactive Studies for the Xbox 360, PS3, Microsoft Windows, as well as a striped version on the PSP
*****INFO*****
- Genre(s): Racing
- Age Rating: 7 +
- Contents: Racing Violence
- Difficulty: Fair
*****INTRODUCTION*****
THE POSITIVES
- Intense racing combat
- Great with others
- Superb sound effects
- Intense environmental destruction
THE NEGATIVES
- Derivative online play
- limited track variation
- Minor lag problems during online play
- No car customisations
*****REVIEW*****
Split/Second will participate players in a fictional reality television show consisting a variety of race events that focus on destructible environments, in which each player can remotely concede explosives, collapse buildings, bridges etc by performing actions know as "Powerplays".
Split/Second is set out in episodic format where each episode plays out like a reality television show. Each episode briefly plays a small preview introduction of upcoming race events. The game is split into 12 different episodes, each having 5 events, including a bonus stages and a next round (episode) qualification stage where you must finish the race in the top 3 places.
Split/Second is a great looking game; great special effects, environmental destructions etc. Whilst the car destructions may not be as complex as say Burnout Paradise, Split/Second makes up for it with its environmental effects and route changing powerplays, which are awesome to watch. Detonating a bridge to collapse on the racetrack and causing rubble for your opponents (plus yourself) to dodge and avoid makes it all the worthwhile.
Split/Second is a racing game that depends on remote detonating charges set all over the racetrack to concede your chances of winning the race.
Like any other racing game your goal is to win, but what make Split/Second more unique is its gameplay. You are awarded points know as "Powerplays" for achieving drifts, jumps, near collision misses etc. Powerplay points grant you the ability to remote charge certain environmental structures throughout each racetrack. Gaining a full powerplay meter grants you the ability to create a dramatic change, which can effectively change the track to your advantage. Some of the remote chargers are reset after every lap, but most of the bigger remote chargers the change the environment are permanently left the way they are until the race is over. Of course other players as well as you're A.I. opponents can use this feature as well as you, which makes the gameplay more intense, exceedingly fun and somewhat challenging.
The single player campaign features 72 events split up into 12 episodes; 4 standard events ranging from normal races, Survival, Air Attack, and Air Revenge, a bones event you must unlock by performing a number of opponent takedowns in previous races, as well as a next round qualification event. As you get further through the single player campaign, you'll unlock new cars, as well as events and tracks, which you can play anytime you want outside the single player campaign with a friend or alone. The gameplay give a great sense of speed and drifting is easy and feels great. Split/Second's crashing mechanics on the other hand can be a bit unfair. Sometimes you'll find yourself drifting into the side of a wall and still be intact, whilst other times you'll find yourself barley hitting an object resulting in an immediate crash.
Split/Second's online multiplayer consists of the same game modes in single player. You can participate in quick games, or host your own race and invite friends etc. In order to play online, you can only pick between cars you've unlock through the single player campaign. Online multiplayer does suffer from minor lag problems, but nothing really much it forsake you from playing.
Split/Second's sound design is both aggressive and provocative especially with surround sound. Fantastic environmental sound effects as well as overall sound effects throughout the game. Triggering a full powerplay remote structural effect will cause surrounding sound to dime out focusing all the intensity on the environmentally effects before impact, which is an awesome touch. The game's music score is constructed with dance type music, which isn't really innovative during the menu accept, but it does prove otherwise during races.
Split/Second consists of 72 events – with different modes available – split up into 12 different episodes. Depending on your driving skills, Split/Second can last you anywhere between 12 – 20 hours to fully complete the single player campaign. In additional to the single player campaign and 2 player offline game modes, Split/Second also features an online multiplayer, so there is life value there is your looking for it.
Is Split/Second good? Yes, it's very good! Whilst it may not be the best racing game to some, it certainly does a great job at one important aspect of any game, "entertainment". Split/Second is an entertaining game and is sure to entertain any fan of the racing genre, or anyone looking for a fast paced racing game. Split/Second isn't about being the best racing game; it's not about winning best game of the year. Split/Second is about having fun, and I certainly had fun playing both online and offline… but more so offline.
The game features great visuals, outstanding and aggressive sound design mixed in with an addictive yet challenging gameplay experience. Split/Second is my type of racing game, because one; it makes the game more interesting to me rather than playing Formula One etc. Two; I like extremely face-paced gameplay, which Split/Second has and does so well. Despite the problems the game does have, I would highly recommend it.
It won't take long to familiarise yourself with each track, making it quite easy to perform powerplays. Split/Second can be a very competitive game. Most of the time you'll find yourself desperately trying to time a remote charge on an opposing player, purely because he or she previously wrecked your car with a giant wrecking ball. It's a fun game nonetheless, but it can be quite aggravating when things don't go your way.
For a modern racer, the online multiplayer can feel pretty bland and doesn't rally offer much.
If you like games like Burnout Paradise or fast paced racing, Split/Second is sure to please you in some level.
*****FINAL OVERALL SCORE*****
- Online Multiplayer – 6/10
- Life Value – 6/10
- My Thought Score: 8/10
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- Presentation – 8/10
- Graphics – 8/10
- Game-Play – 9/10
- Sound Effects – 9/10
- Originality – 7/10
*****EDITOR'S OVERALL THOUGHT SCORE – 8/10 *****
Split/Second Review by Simon a.k.a. [TheDevilDweller]