R: Racing Evolution
GameCube- Publisher: Namco
- Release Date: Dec 9, 2003
- Also On: PlayStation 2
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TotalGames.netEvery member of the CUBE team was looking forward to this, and they all left the first session grumbling words like 'disaster,' 'bollocks' ad 'don't give up the day job Namco'. It's slow, dull and tedious. Don't get too depressed though, because there is a light at the end of this tunnel.
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A great simulation racer that does almost everything well. The Racing Life mode is too short and the rally racing can be unforgiving. But the pressure sensitive gameplay, realistic AI, and event challenges round out a great race package that’s tough to pass.
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Play MagazineThe intimacy, the almost Zen-like relationship with the track is not here. Even so, I would be a fool to call this game anything other than great. [Jan 2004, p.60]
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Nintendo PowerTaking a more realistic approach to driving than some adrenaline-pumping racers, Evolution may seem slow at first, but the challenge increases as the game continues. [Feb 2004, p.148]
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The word innovative is all-too-often just tossed about at any old game, but R has some genuinely clever new features.
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It's just about as good as anything else on the format at the moment and with the addition of the awesome Pacman Vs. (a contender for best multiplayer game on the Cube) bundled in for free, at least Namco have given the Cube faithful the best value for money of all the versions.
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Touchy controls and a story mode that is over almost before it begins are the most glaring oversights to this game. However, the realistic AI, wonderfully stylish presentation, and overall fun to be had with R: Racing more than make up for any shortcomings.
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I am very excited to finally see a quality racing game for the GameCube console.
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I am convinced that fans of the racing genre will enjoy this game due to its solid setup and intuitive controls.
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Although this latest release does attempt to freshen things up it doesn’t quite make a complete break from the arcade racing style, ending up in limbo and not performing either style at a high caliber.
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While this is technically a simulation, I still wish there was some car damage and the effects of said damage to reinforce not using other cars and rails to bounce your way through certain corners.
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It looks fantastic! But it plays just ok.
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A fairly entertaining game for the duration of the racing life mode, mostly because of the impressive pre-rendered sequences, but if you’re looking for a racing game with the simulation style goodness of "MotoGP," or the frenetic action of "Ridge Racer," you’d be well advised to look elsewhere.
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If you can make friends with the twitchy handling in this arcade-sim crossbreed, then you're in for a good drive.
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Exudes a quiet confidence in it's own driving engine, racing, rally and drag are all delivered seamlessly.
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If you're looking for something that'll keep your heart pumping and controls that are tight with lightning quick response, this certainly isn't for you.
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Game InformerThe problem is that I can't get myself to really like Rena; she really comes off as a vapid, mindless character. [Feb 2004, p.105]
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Give it a rent if you're interested, but I'd recommend just renting an old "Ridge Racer" and having a blast with the past--or get another new, better racing game.
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An entertaining racing game, but also has quite some faults, most notably overtaking and handling. If you think you can live with the shortcomings mentioned above, and are eagerly awaiting something like GT for your purple box, this is what comes closest.
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A fun time, in spite (or because) of its ludicrous story and cutscenes, which you won't find in any other serious racer.
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netjakThis game would smoke "Tokyo Racer Extreme 01" off the line. But, "Initial D," "Auto Modellista," and "Gran Turismo 4 Prologue" are all better.
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In the end though you have to consider that when it's good its very very good and when its bad... its just a bit rough, never terrible.
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It doesn't feature nearly as many cars or tracks. Control is stiff and the sensation of speed comparatively slow. And it's certainly not as fast and arcade-cool as "Ridge Racer."
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It attempts to deliver some simulation-styled thrills, but the driving physics and options simply aren't up to snuff when compared to other, better games. On the other side, the addition of brake assist turns the game into an overly simplified affair that reduces the gameplay to holding down the gas pedal and steering.
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The game isn’t fun to play, which is the only really glaring problem with it...It needs more polished mechanics, enhanced physics, and overall better ideas.
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A feature-lite driving simulator that neither offends nor excels in any particular area of design, and one that doesn't elicit a sense of excitement, rather a feeling of déjà vu.
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GameCube owners are certainly the luckiest out there, as R: Racer includes the GC-GBA title Pac-Man as a freebie; whilst it’s nothing revolutionary, this fun little title makes a purchase almost worthy.
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The action on the track is mediocre, especially once you realize you'll have to wrestle with the touchy control on the same tracks in the same cars over and over. [Jan 2004, p.124]
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Namco's shown itself capable of presenting scenes of pre-rendered babes before, and to no surprise they feature strongly in R:Racing, but in the actual game you'll see little that either appals or really appeals, even with the inclusion of drag and rally racing modes.
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In other words, it's just like all those other racing games you read about but never buy. Except, in this case, it's a tacit reminder that Namco has slipped so far down the field that it's actually being lapped - by games we bought almost five years ago. Oh sod it: ARGH!
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games(TM)Its attempt at being a jack-of-all-trades could seem quite appealing to gamers who casually approach the driving genre. Connoisseurs, on the other hand, will own the highest quality examples of each trade that do the job better, leaving R: Racing Evolution feeling mostly redundant. [Mar 2004, p.98]
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An average game. It's got a lot of good ideas that we've seen before, but isn't able to pull it all together. Still, it's got a decent story and extras that will continue to challenge after Racing Life is done.
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The on-track action can only be described as skatey, as your tires never seem to grip the road. With a bit of practice, you can compensate for this, but the game just never feels right because of it.
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Edge MagazineFor a title trying hard to inject personality into the genre, the experience feels irreparably mechanical. There's plenty of variety in terms of racing categories and machinery, but the overall lack of involvement is inexcusable. [Feb 2004, p.102]
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Much improvement will be needed to prevent it from following in the path of many a flightless bird...namely, into oblivion. In the meantime, place R: Racing Evolution on the "endangered species" list.
Awards & Rankings
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69
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95
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#95 Most Discussed GameCube Game of 2003
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50
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#50 Most Shared GameCube Game of 2003
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User score distribution:
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Positive: 4 out of 7
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Mixed: 2 out of 7
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Negative: 1 out of 7
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Feb 18, 2017