Mike Bantick
Tuesday, 26 August 2008 11:40
Opinion and Analysis
Page 2 of 3
Once you are out on the streets of LA it is time to take part in one of the race types, or simply cruise around.
The race types include:
Ordered Races through a series of checkpoint (yellow smoke flares).
Circuit Races taking you a number of laps through the checkpoints.
Unordered Races where checkpoints can be tagged in any order.
Freeway Races, dynamic race tracks initiated simply by flashing your headlights at competitors.
Red Light Races: No not what you think, simply race to a LA landmark without the aid of checkpoints.
Time Trials, Tournaments, Wager Races, Series Races, Pinkslip Races (don’t lose that dream ride!), Car Delivery tasks, Payback – where you can damage rivals cars and finally Telephone Challenges (where a challenge will come via your in car communication system) round out the impressive range of frenetic challenges.
During my time with MCLA, we raced through some Ordered, Freeway and Red Light Races, all of which requires you to take your eyes from the way your four wheel creation looks, and keep them firmly clamped on the flashing past landscape.
Plough through the back alleys, streets, beaches and even (Blues Brothers style) through the middle of shopping malls.
Learning short cuts is essential, but the good news is that MCLA will reward you with Rep and Money even if you fail a challenge – no reloading and re-racing here, RockStar Games what you to enjoy your time in MCLA.
Despite the pace, the cars (we raced a Mazda RX8 Shinka and a tricked up 1969 Mustang Boss) can be thrown through the streets with a level of enjoyable impunity. Simple Fun.
The Police are present in the game, though their impact was non-existant during my time with the game, however I am told that if they join in on a race to quell the mayhem, an added random element is added as they try to not only impede yourself, but your AI racer buddies as well.
At this point there is no word on the multiplayer aspects of MCLA, RockStar Games preferring to keep a lid on that aspect for now.
Bottom line is however, MCLA looks like a lot of white knuckle fun come October 7 (October 10 in Australia) when it is released for Xbox 360, PS3 and PSP
Page 3 has the latest trailer for the game straight from the Leipzig Game Show
