Cars is the latest in the seemingly endless stream of kids-movies-made-video-games. Nothing in Cars is good enough to set it too far apart from other kids’ games, but it is a decent enough title that should keep kids happy while providing the older crowd with plenty of challenging levels and minigames.
The brunt of the game is played in Story Mode, where the player takes Steve … er Lightning McQueen through a slew of races and challenges, all the while earning points that allow you to open up new cars, paint jobs, art, etc, etc, etc. The cool part about this is that the ‘main menu’, so to speak, is an open-ended desert-like area that’s expansive and filled to the brim with all kinds of hidden items. Just this section alone should keep the young and old alike busy for quite some time.
The only problem with this section is that the map (which is technically what it is) doesn’t have a quick-check view where you can see exactly where you want to go. All the minigames and races are shown on the map as little dots; you have to rely on your memory, really, to get to where you want to go.
The races are actually pretty fun, albeit simplistic. Controls are basic, with a power slide, boost, gas and e-brake. The cars handle well enough without being overly responsive and kids should have a grand ol’ time taking their race car off of jumps and around tight corners. And who am I kidding here? I had a grand ol’ time doing this.
There are all sorts of minigames here. Some are actually quite frustrating but luckily Cars has two Story Modes available – a full one for older players and a more stripped-down version for younger players so the really tough challenges are left out. Kudos to Buena Vista Games for adding this option.
The game also has superb audio, thanks in no small part to the long list of actors who lent their talents to the game (from Owen Wilson to Bonnie Hunt to Cheech Marin) as well as a truly enjoyable soundtrack featuring Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Edgar Winter Group, Los Lobos and many more.
There is an Arcade Mode that basically just allows you to play any level that you’ve already finished in the Story Mode. So don’t get your hopes up when you first see ‘minigames’ on the menu – it consists of the games you encounter in Story Mode. If it’s one thing I look forward to in kids games, it’s the one or two minigames that often times end up being more fun the the main game itself.
Besides some lazy moments where characters show up repeatedly and say the same things over and over, some clunky controls on the main map and some overly-long load times between races and minigames, Cars does the trick. There’s plenty of stuff for every type of gamer here, especially the younger ones – and really, that’s who this game is aimed at.
WHAM! Rating: |
7.4 out of 10 |
ESRB Rating: |
E (Everyone) |
Official Web Site: |
|
|
