GB Review: Sega Rally Revo (PS3)

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GB Review: Sega Rally Revo (PS3)Posted 1:32pm Sat Nov 24, 2007 by Brian Mohr Tags: Sega Rally Revo, review, 3 stars, sega, brian mohr, playstation 3

Drives like a subaru.

Sega has brought back the Sega Rally series in a new edition this year entitled Sega Rally Revo for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. The last time a Sega Rally title released stateside it was for the Dreamcast and while the graphics are amazing, little else has changed and that creates a problem particularly in respect to longevity. There's nothing new to see here, really, so I wouldn't recommend the game unless you're a racing addict or a big fan of the series.

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Putting it simply, Sega Rally Revo is a straight arcade racer. There is no complex driving here, the whole goal is just to go fast. Revo requires just a bit of expertise as you have to perfect the powerslide. It’s as simple as that; there aren’t a lot of options. This game is all about the driving and once you do that, you can dominate it in a variety of locales including jungles, mountains, ice and more.

The appeal of the racing in this game is undeniable. The controls are easy to pick up and play and simplistic because you just have to pivot the stick around curves while shifting off the gas. If you’re unfamiliar with this style, you may find yourself sliding all over the road right away, but all it takes is a handful of runs and you’ll get used to it and be a pro. Once you do that and learn the courses, it really makes you feel like you’ve accomplished something.

In addition to that the tracks, while small in number - just 15 - they are beautiful. While ripping through courses in real time, you’ll tear up dirt, mud and snow which creates stunning tracks in the road. These can be especially useful as driving lines for you to follow on return runs through the course. Also, the car models are gorgeous with or without mud on them.

But for all these advantages, Revo has some serious issues too, particularly in regards to repetitiveness which strikes early and often in regards to tracks, cars and gameplay.

Fifteen tracks is too small for a title that is selling for $50 or $60. Clearly Sega took the concept of arcade game to heart. On top of that, the game includes approximately 30 cars - minimal at best. The multiplayer mode is also bare-bones, leaving the gamer with a two-player split screen option or just six-player online races; while both run well, there simply isn't a lot to write home about regarding the game's online offerings.

Meanwhile, the computer AI is a bit temperamental too. The artificial intelligence makes few mistakes and seems to have a distinct advantage over you even when you’re not making that many mistakes. They can knock you into walls that slow you down and unfairly speed up to pass. There’s a clear discrepancy in the game.

Finally, as mentioned before, the arcade style of racing is fun, no question about it. But this game is all powerslides and doesn’t offer the features you’ll see in some of the latest games out in the genre.

Sega Rally Revo is not revolutionary and in fact is a bit of a look back into the past. It’s a fun game to pick up and play, but won’t provide players the depth or diversity they are accustomed to. Aside from graphics, little has changed in the style of play in Sega Rally Revo and that hurts it in the end.

Also available on: 360 | PSP | PC
Publisher: Sega
Developer: Sega Racing Std.
Release: Oct 9, 2007
MSRP: $59.99
Everyone | Online