S.C.A.R.S. remains one of my all-time favourite driving games. For me, it sets a lot of benchmarks for dynamic action racers, with its unique approach to car designs, environments and combat.
The highlight of this title has to be its soundboard, with great quality audio enhancing the atmosphere of the game immensely. Each track has a well-written, listenable theme, and the in-game sound effects consistently add to the experience. Iconic vocal tags are heard even at the menu screens. 'Choose your car', 'Choose your track'.
Graphically, S.C.A.R.S. may not be the cleanest title, but it offers unique vehicle and environment designs that are more impressive sometimes than others. Still, when the design is good, it is very good. The play on virtual racing lends the game a charming character, with the cars and tracks uploaded at the start of the race.
The game offers no particular story, but this is not expected of a racing title. Still, the experience of gradually unlocking more vehicles and tracks by beating championships and one-on-one races is well-done. With only 9 of each, however, and most unlocked at the start, S.C.A.R.S. is fairly light, and would not seem like it has much to offer; but it manages to challenge the player enough to overcome its shortness, without being unfair.
There is no real customisation offered to the player, which is a shame, as the only choice one gets is to set the race to night-time, to increase the difficulty. Nevertheless, the actual racing experience is accessible and great fun. Weapon pickups are not a unique concept, but the they are used well. The heightened sense of combat is especially rewarding in multiplayer mode, definitely the best facet of the game. My brothers and I grew up playing against each other, and S.C.A.R.S. was one we regularly returned to for a good racing challenge.
It is for this reason that I believe S.C.A.R.S. is a perfect candidate for a modern reboot. The concept could be expanded much further to include new tracks, vehicles, weapons and multiplayer modes. A system for fuller customisation would lengthen the game considerably and would enrich the experience all-together.
I have only ever played the PS1 version, but I do not expect it to have changed too much from the N64.
Ultimately, I may just be nostalgic for a game that is certainly lacking in many regards. Yet, I know my brothers and I would happily sit down for an hour or two of this, anytime. S.C.A.R.S. remains one of my all-time favourite driving games. For me, it sets a lot of benchmarks for dynamic action racers, with its unique approach to car designs, environments and combat.
The highlight of this title has to be its soundboard, with great quality audio enhancing the atmosphere of the game immensely. Each track has a well-written, listenable theme, and the in-game sound effects consistently add to the experience. Iconic vocal tags are heard even at the menu screens. 'Choose your car', 'Choose your track'.
Graphically, S.C.A.R.S. may not be the cleanest title, but it offers unique vehicle and environment designs that are more impressive sometimes than others. Still, when the design is good, it is very good. The play on virtual racing lends the game a charming character, with the cars and tracks uploaded at the start of the race.
The game offers no particular story, but this is not expected of a racing title. Still, the experience of gradually unlocking more vehicles and tracks by beating championships and one-on-one races is well-done. With only 9 of each, however, and most unlocked at the start, S.C.A.R.S. is fairly light, and would not seem like it has much to offer; but it manages to challenge the player enough to overcome its shortness, without being unfair.
There is no real customisation offered to the player, which is a shame, as the only choice one gets is to set the race to night-time, to increase the difficulty. Nevertheless, the actual racing experience is accessible and great fun. Weapon pickups are not a unique concept, but the they are used well. The heightened sense of combat is especially rewarding in multiplayer mode, definitely the best facet of the game. My brothers and I grew up playing against each other, and S.C.A.R.S. was one we regularly returned to for a good racing challenge.
It is for this reason that I believe S.C.A.R.S. is a perfect candidate for a modern reboot. The concept could be expanded much further to include new tracks, vehicles, weapons and multiplayer modes. A system for fuller customisation would lengthen the game considerably and would enrich the experience all-together.
I have only ever played the PS1 version, but I do not expect it to have changed too much from the N64.
Ultimately, I may just be nostalgic for a game that is certainly lacking in many regards. Yet, I know my brothers and I would happily sit down for an hour or two of this, anytime. |
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