You've probably become sick of all the video game based on movies. I certainly have. With titles ranging from Over the Hedge to The Da Vinci Code, it seems like almost anything that hits the big screen these days has a game come out in tandem.
Personally I'm waiting for a video game adaptation of the documentary An Inconvenient Truth. I can see the ads now: “Play Al Gore as he confronts the greatest threat the world has ever faced: Global Warming. Give lectures, use visual aids to get your point across and deal with your own personal issues as you try to convince everyone of the need to stop using air conditioners. An Inconvenient Truth: The Game. Climate change has never been so cool.”
Then again, maybe that's not a good idea for a game.
Thankfully Cars, the new THQ release, makes more sense than a lot of other titles. Based on the computer animated feature of the same name, you play Lightning McQueen as he works his way through the tracks of Radiator Springs, Ornament Valley and Tailfin Pass.
Essentially, Cars is a racing game and as racing games go, it's not terrible. Some are circuit runs, while others are simple road races. It's similar to many other racing titles but it's clearly aimed at young players. Much of the mayhem that makes these games entertaining has been removed. You can bump into other cars and they will complain about how mean you are, but you really can't make them crash. In fact, you actually get points for safe driving. I mean, honestly, what's the point? If you can't make the other cars explode, why bother playing?
Also, cheating is made more difficult. Although some courses have shortcuts, when you stray off the track for more than a few seconds, you are placed back on it. Personally, I've never been a big fan of games that do this, because I like driving on the grass or desert landscape to skip the more annoying portions of a track.
This game is a little more forgiving here, though. In most games when you are set back on the track you end up in last place, or at least several cars behind. With Cars, you are returned much quicker and you often stay in the same position. Sometimes you can even use this to your advantage. If you drive off the track the right way, you may manage to move up in the race when you are placed back on it.
You can unlock other challenges and mini-games as well, such as tipping tractors and driving obstacle courses. As with most mini-games, they vary in quality. You can also play these in the two-player mode.
In the Story Mode, you can also drive around Radiator Springs to collect lightning bolts for bonus points. With these points, you can buy additional vehicles, concept art and film clips, including deleted scenes from the movie.
While Cars is fun and inventive at times, it does manage to stay a cut below most of the competition.
WHAM! Rating: |
6.5 out of 10 |
ESRB Rating: |
E (Everyone) |
Official Web Site: |
|
|
