Rallisport Challenge
Rallisport Challenge is a series of racing games distributed by Microsoft Game Studios . The game developer DICE was responsible for the development / design of the two Rallisport Challenge parts. Rallisport Challenge is one of the most popular rally video games on the console, alongside the Colin McRae Rally series from Codemasters and the World Rally Championship (WRC for short) from Evolution Studios .
chronology
history
Rallisport Challenge
| Rallisport Challenge | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | Digital Illusions CE | ||
| Publisher | Microsoft Game Studios | ||
| Erstveröffent- lichung |
March 9, 2002 | ||
| platform | Xbox , PC ( Windows ) | ||
| Game engine | Refractor 2 | ||
| genre | Racing game | ||
| Game mode | Single player , multiplayer | ||
| control | Gamepad or mouse and keyboard | ||
| system advantages preconditions |
Pentium with 700 MHz, 128 MB RAM and a 32 MB graphics card. | ||
| medium | 1 DVD-ROM | ||
| language | German | ||
| Age rating |
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Rallisport Challenge was released on March 9, 2002 for Xbox and PC .
First, the player has to create a profile and select the difficulty level (easy or normal). Then you can choose between the four selectable game modes ( time trial, individual race, career and multiplayer ). The "career mode" is divided into four sub-classes ( professional, expert, classic and unlimited ), which must be earned one after the other. In the four sub-classes you have to reach a certain number of points in order to unlock new competitions.
The developers DICE attached particular importance to the variety of racing types. In the "typical" rally style, the player must be the first to reach the finish line in the fastest possible time or drive in the ice races on dangerously smooth circuits. There are also three other types of racing that appear in career mode: uphill, crossover, and off-road rally. In the crossover, after a lap, you change the opponent's side of the track and try to be the first to reach the finish line. In career mode, you can unlock new vehicles, paint jobs and tracks by successfully completing the competitions.
The vehicles have their own driving physics and their own damage model , which changes realistically through collisions with other vehicles / objects. Before starting a race, you can change some settings in the tuning option (e.g. determine the type of tire).
The player can choose from a total of 48 different tracks and 29 licensed vehicles (including Subaru Impreza WRX). The routes were modeled on their real models and offer a varied environment. Rallisport Challenge is an arcade-heavy racing game that does without realistic driving behavior. Thus, the game is beginner-friendly and does not frustrate the player with complicated controls. On the right side of the game screen is a tachometer / speedometer that shows the current speed and gear. In the upper right margin, the race timer shows the current total time of the race. In addition, the developers have integrated a "progress bar" in the game, which indicates the current position of the player and the opponent on the racetrack.
The game offers a custom soundtrack function that allows the player to hear their own songs / albums in Rallisport Challenge. The environment graphics and effects have been praised by numerous game critics.
Rallisport Challenge 2
| Rallisport Challenge 2 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | Digital Illusions CE | ||
| Publisher | Microsoft Game Studios | ||
| Erstveröffent- lichung |
May 21, 2004 | ||
| platform | Xbox | ||
| genre | Racing game | ||
| Game mode | Single player , multiplayer | ||
| control | Gamepad | ||
| medium | 1 DVD-ROM | ||
| language | German | ||
| Age rating |
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Rallisport Challenge 2 was released on May 21, 2004 exclusively for the Xbox .
The game principle from its predecessor, Rallisport Challenge from 2002, has been retained and supplemented with some small innovations. The player can now choose from 41 vehicles and 93 different routes. In addition to the standard vehicles such as the Volkswagen Beetle, there are also many new vehicles (including the Ford GT 70). Each of these cars initially only has one paint job. The next three paint jobs can be unlocked by the number of kilometers driven. The career mode has been expanded and is now divided into the following sub-classes: amateur, professional, champion and super rally. Depending on the class, the level of driving that is required of the player increases. In the last class, Superrally, the player has to do without the continue function.
The developers DICE use a newly developed graphics engine for the game. The graphics engine ensures a dense and believable atmosphere thanks to the improved weather and lighting effects. The shadows cast by the respective vehicles and objects appear realistic and the asphalt roads are provided with bump mapping .
The multiplayer mode of Rallisport Challenge 2 has been meaningfully expanded. The player can now compete against 16 other players via Xbox Live . However, this mode also has a disadvantage: the races with the other players always take place one after the other. The player can download four new vehicles (Volvo Amazon, Saab 96, BMW X5, VW Touareg), new paintwork for all vehicles and two new game modes ( Careers Mountain Challenge, Arena Challenge ) via the Xbox Live menu item . In March 2004, the publisher Microsoft announced that this would be the last XSN title.
Game modes
- Time trial: In this mode the player can improve his own personal best or compete against other players via Xbox Live.
- Individual race: Here you have to compete against up to three computer-controlled opponents.
- Career: This is the main part of the Rallisport Challenge series. The player must work through a series of races and events to unlock new events and thus win the respective event class. Here you can unlock a certain number of new vehicles / routes through successful victories. As soon as the player has successfully completed all event classes, you will receive all paintwork for each vehicle.
- Multiplayer: In multiplayer mode you can compete against other players / friends via split screen, System Link or Xbox Live.