Dan Chiappini takes a trip down memory highway at 300km/h.
The game plays very true to the original. Developer AM2 has even remixed the original soundtrack to give it the update it needed without losing its arcade racing feel. There's even the option to unlock additional remixes and audio tracks by racing and completing the 101 different objectives found in the Mission Mode. Unfortunately, you can't use custom soundtracks from your Xbox's hard disk so the in-game audio will have to make do.
The game provides plenty or variety, including branching difficulty levels and environments, spanning everything from picturesque beachsides, snow-covered roads and desert highways. In fact, you may find yourself crashing often as you take in the gorgeous scenery, rather than keeping your eyes on the road. Sega have mixed it up by including classic clock-racing OutRun Mode as well as ghost car time-trials and Heart Attack Mode, which sees you performing stunts like long drifts on corners, item-collecting and intense high-speed overtaking.
We were a little miffed by the absence of a rear-vision mirror or the ability to look behind you while driving as it's essential, especially during online play. We also found that although you have your choice of five licensed and very attractive Ferraris, they all handle much the same with only top speed really differentiating them.
If you think you have some moves on the road, jump online with Xbox Live and race up to seven friends or take on other player's ghost cars and race the timer to the goal. As a bonus for the perseverant, finish all the courses in arcade mode and you'll unlock original OutRun in all its classic low resolution glory.
Hard enough to make it worth playing, the mission modes should keep you busy unlocking vehicles, sounds and tracks for some time while the online experience is definitely worth a trash either alone or with friends.
Issue: 133 | February, 2012