Page Not Found - DVDfever.co.uk
DVDfever.co.uk

404: Page not found

It looks like nothing was found at this location. Maybe try a search or one of the links below?

Archives

Categories

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox

Join other followers:

WP Twitter Auto Publish Powered By : XYZScripts.com

Dom Robinson reviews

for PC CD-Rom

Distributed by
Virgin Interactive

  • Price: £29.99
  • Players: Regular game : 1 or 2, or Network : 1-6

    System Requirements - Minimum (Recommended) :

  • Pentium 100 Mhz (Pentium 133 Mhz)
  • 16Mb RAM (32Mb in DOS under Win95)
  • 3Dfx card recommended
  • Sound Blaster and compatibles
  • Quad speed CD-ROM
  • Hard Disk Space: Install 30Mb or 150Mb version

  • Screamer Rally is Virgin Interactive's sequel to the smash-hit Screamer 2 released last year which was a superb rally racing game, and if you've played that one then you'll know what to expect.

    If not, then put simply, you race along up to 7 tracks - one each in China, Canada, Italy, Arizona, Sweden, Wales, plus a bonus course (the latter three being released as you work your way up the leagues), in one of five different rally cars with high acceleration and good looks, playing against five computer opponents in the standard game, and in varying weather conditions. Whereas Screamer 2 belted along without 3D-accelerated graphics cards, this game requires a slightly higher spec PC and takes advantage of the 3Dfx technology to produce a game that plays as well as it looks.


    Installing and Running the Game

    As Screamer Rally is a DOS-based game if you do choose to install it in Windows 95, you will need to run it in a DOS window. Personally, on my Pentium 90 (32Mb RAM) I couldn't get it to work properly when Win95 was involved, the game crashing out of the set-up screen when selecting a soundcard so I quit out of that altogether.

    The installation also allows you to opt for a basic installation of 30 Mb taking up your hard disk, or a full 150 Mb version. Again, I had problems with the 30Mb version, the game freezing up when loading in the first track. However, if you have the space available on your hard drive - and if you don't then make room for it - then it's well worth installing the full version as it will require less access to the CD-ROM drive.

    When the game is installed, the set-up screen allows you to choose a number of screen modes in Lo-res, Hi-res or 3Dfx. Options are also available to change the keyboard and/or joystick controls for up to two players, several soundcard options, plus settings for linking to other PCs via modems or a network.

    Playing the Game

    Game Options

  • Arcade :
    For an instant rush, this option allows you to pick any of the first four tracks to begin with, then the car to drive and then the game begins. There are three tracks you can't access until you've reached the respective league level in the Championship game.

  • Championship :
    Four leagues are available, and you'll need to finish the first before trying the rest. League 1 takes you through China, Canada, Italy & Arizona, and each of the three subsequent leagues add an extra course, namely Sweden, Wales and the Bonus courses respectively.

  • Time Attack :
    The Three Laps option takes you around the course of your choice in any car you choose as you go for the best lap and race time. Next time round, the ghost car makes its appearance which is yourself on your best run so far.
    The Free Run option is just you against the clock with five markers spread around the track comparing how well you're doing this time round with the next lap during the respective sections the markers cover.

  • Car Customisation :
    When playing the championship game or the free run in Time Attack mode, you can choose the standard settings, or customise your car over various aspects, namely: Handling, Tyre Pressure, Brakes, Tyre Type, and Front and Rear Suspension..
    NB: This option isn't available in arcade mode or on the special bonus car.

  • Multiplayer :
    In addition to the regular game, there is a Combat Mode for split-screen two player action, Serial Link for linking two PCs, and Network Mode for up to six players via a local network.

  • Game Settings :
    Several options available: auto or manual transmission, the number of arcade/battle mode laps, arcade enemies' skill, adjust the detail level, or toggle the music and car damage on/off.


    Graphics, Sound and Playability

    The quality of the graphics with 3Dfx acceleration are nothing short of excellent. With Screamer 2, the non-accelerated graphics shifted round the track at an incredible speed and had I been reviewing that then it certainly would have got a recommendation from me. Screamer Rally is like that but with 3Dfx support. Although the minimum spec. for the game is a P100 machine, the game ran brilliantly on my P90 with 32Mb RAM. A definite result.

    The sound is cars smashing and bashing about around the track. A "CD player" option is there too, but it didn't work for me on this particular game even though my sound card settings appeared to be set correctly when I test them in the set-up screen.

    Playability is all-important, and I found if you kept your eyes on your own car you definitely get the feeling of the scenery rushing past you. It couldn't be simpler than to move left, right, accelerate or decelerate. The computer enemies seemed to be using their brake a lot during the game to avoid an accident, but I had more fun driving right into the cars in front...


    Overall

    I've only had a one glitch with Screamer Rally, and that was that the game has crashed a few times during play, even when I've been running in DOS on its own and using a bootdisk as instructed in the manual, so I tend to stick to the one-lap option, although that's not always enough to win a race.

    However, it's not happened since and I reckon that if you enjoyed Screamer 2, and you have a 3Dfx card, you deserve to treat yourself to this, especially as the CD also includes a 3Dfx patch for Screamer 2 itself. Yes, it is more of the same, but that's certainly not a bad thing in this case.

    If you're after some more info on Virgin Interactive's games, you can check out their official Website at www.vie.co.uk

    GRAPHICS 	: *****
    SOUND EFFECTS 	: ***
    PLAYABILITY	: *****
    ORIGINALITY 	: **
    ENJOYMENT 	: *****
    -----------------------
    OVERALL 	: ****
    

    Review copyright © Dominic Robinson, 1997.

    [Up to the top of this page]

    Page Not Found - DVDfever.co.uk

    DVDfever.co.uk

    404: Page not found

    It looks like nothing was found at this location. Maybe try a search or one of the links below?

    Archives

    Categories

    Follow

    Get every new post delivered to your Inbox

    Join other followers:

    WP Twitter Auto Publish Powered By : XYZScripts.com