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From: wdao@girtab.usc.edu (Walter Dao)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga
Subject: 3d race game
Message-ID: <7187@chaph.usc.edu>
Date: 28 Dec 89 03:07:52 GMT
Sender: news@chaph.usc.edu
Organization: University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Lines: 69


comparison of 3 filled 3d vector graphics race games :
- Power Drome
- Hard Driving
- Stunt Track Racer

1) Power Drome :
   you are piloting a space ship that has to fly around a race track with
   various obstacles and against various oponents.
   Now that game had all the potential to be a very good one, the animation is
   rather smooth but not fast. It revealed to be a very frustrating game
   because of the way the ship is piloted.  It is really hard to keep the ship
   from hitting the wall and to keep it in the middle of the track. 
   I tried to like that game but I couldnt. I was to frustrated to enjoy it.
   There is also the feeling that the track is smaller than what it is really.
   (Ie : there is not much breathing room from the left side of the race track
    wall to the right side. but when you look at the oponents ship passing
    you by, you can see how minuscule their ship is compared to the width of
    the track.).
   thumbs down even though it could have been a fantastic game . 

2) Hard Driving : 
   Arcade conversion. (so only 2 tracks - speed and stunt tracks). 
   like the arcade version but slower . smooth animation. (the instant 
   replay of your crashes are not as spectacular, tending to the dull side).
   I played it a few time and found it a bit hard to control with the mouse 
   (skid party !!!).
   Also after you have mastered the 2 tracks (quite easily done), there is not 
   much you can do . (I have heard the original arcade wasnt intended to become
   an arcade game but was intended to become a real serious simulator... I 
    might be wrong). 
   the good points about the game is the decor ... (let's go sight seeing). 
   The racing itself is not very breath taking. ... imagine yourself at the 
   command of a real car .... that's it ... Simulation of something you can
   actuallly do for real and which is not out of reach . yawn (sometime)

3) Stunt track racer : the best of them all . 
   smooth animation, faster screen update than hard driver  (but less decor).
   there are 8 tracks to drive on . and what tracks !!!! they look more
   like roller coasters. go to fast and you are airborne. there are some nasty 
   slopes (you have to go up or down) and the feeling is pretty well rendered. 
   (while going up hill, I had a tendency to bend forward on my seat).
   There are some nice obstacles like holes in the track that you have to jump
   over (go to slowly and you splat yourself on the oposite side). 
   The joystick command is good, the track is not too narraw and if you get to
   close to the edge, sparks appear near the exposed wheels, (chassis is 
   hitting the track). 
   not much decor to look at but your eyes are riveted to what is coming up on 
   the track. 
   After the hit and misses of the 2 previously cited games, this one 
   (remember : stunt track racer) is a "must Have" . 

   I have been impressed by very few amiga games (shangai,populous).
   (do I hear Star glider II ? well I never did understand what to do in that
    game. whenever I tried to read the thick novel/manual, I fell asleep)
   well, STR is one of those games it is well worth the hard earned money
you are going to spend on it.

			
				Walter (no I am not working for those guys)
 Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga
Subject: 3d race games .
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