Author Topic: Xtreme Air Racing (Read 471 times)

SB · « **on:** October 03, 2001, 10:27:00 AM »

The package showed up in my mail box last Friday and I was ready to get it loaded and try out the racing that was promised. I opened the envelope and discovered there was no manual with the program except for an install guide on the inside and a button menu on the back of the CD case.

Got the package loaded and fired up the program. Trying to ESC thru the splash screens dumped me back to the desktop so I just let em run and soon got into the game.

Going into the setup menus I was disappointed to find there were "no" joystick options other than some dampening. There was no keymap utility at all to remap the few keys you needed to be able to use. There is a readme.txt file included with the package and it covered the basic key functions so it's possible to remap the keys via the CH Control Program. I did find out that I needed to combine my stick, throttle, and rudders into a single joystick device before the program would recognize those inputs but after I did that it's pretty solid.

Got the joystick sorted out and jumped into a race at Reno flying the Miss America in a bronze event. No real challenge to take the field if you're a half way decent pilot and I walked out with an easy win. The verbal pilot cues are nice at first but soon become annoying and repetitive. I still haven't found a way to shut them off while in flight but you can in the setup menu. Played around with the different engine choices on the Stang then checked out Rare Bear and ran a few laps. Nice effect down low with the terrain that's a lot like what HT is doing in the Beta to give you the sensation of speed. The graphics are about on par with the first beta version of Aces High so don't expect it to knock your eyes out. It's nice but dated.

All races start in the air and when you cross the finish line you're sent to the sidelines to watch the computer fly your plane until you hit the ESC key. The only landings you'll do is if you blow an engine.

There are some quirky bugs still in the program even after the initial update. When you try to qualify at Reno you've put in Bob Hoover's yellow Mustang and the plane you're flying will show a DNF for the qualifying run. In the tight track silver season the last track of the season is shown as Phoenix but when you get to the last race you're back on the Artic track. Another bug is kind of fun, if you choose the right Mustang and engine and practice you'll turn laps in the 450mph range but when you hit race your speed picks up to 550mph+. Later on when you complete a season additional aircraft are unlocked for you to fly. There is a 109 and the Geebee racer. When you choose those aircraft and go to modify them you soon find out they are just Mustangs in different clothes. I doubt you're gonna power a Geebee with the Merlins I was presented with for engine choices.

Collisions are modeled so you have to watch the other guys when you're working your way through the pack. Wake turbulance is also modeled and can cause some tricky moments but any person that can fly Aces High will have to problem with the flight model.

All in all it's still fun even with the quirks. I hope the people that created this game stick with it and bring it around to what it can really be. I'm bringing my copy to the con so if you're there you're welcome to strap on Strega and take a few laps to see for yourself what it's like.

snafu · « **Reply #1 on:** October 03, 2001, 02:30:00 PM »

Hi SB,
I've got a copy on order, Kinda expected it to be better than you describe, Oh well.

Have you tried the Online racing league yet? (That's the main reason I decided to buy a copy). If so what's it like, I hear turbulance etc isn't modelled in the multiplayer part of the game.

TTFN
snafu

Maverick · « **Reply #2 on:** October 03, 2001, 02:49:00 PM »

Another x-files program?!?!?!?! Where are mulder and the side kick in this one?

Mav

streakeagle · « **Reply #3 on:** October 03, 2001, 10:26:00 PM »

Oh well, so much for progress.

Guess I'll just have to stick with Aces High

SB · « **Reply #4 on:** October 04, 2001, 06:59:00 AM »

I expect XAR to be a fun multiplayer game. I haven't gotten into the online racing league yet but I hope to get some multiplayer racing done in the near future. The plane customization is not near as detailed as GPL or N4 but you can fiddle with your aircraft and see how it effects your lap times.

This is a fun game once you get past the flaws and in reading the forums and reviews it appears that there will be updates for more tracks and different racing classes other than unlimited.

I suspect that XAR was pushed to a release status to early due to budgets and time lines. We should get a broader idea of what people think about it after the con. I'm taking my PC over there and will be challenging people to beat my times at Reno.