"Where speed isn't enough" is the games tagline, and while that may sound like a terrible summer movie blockbuster pitch, it actually is pretty accurate. First of all, Split Second is insane. I once described the game to someone as "a game that will give you some notion what its like to go on a drinking binge with Nick Nolte and Gary Busey ,and then going for a joyride with them."
I loved this game. I admit that the concept is really well executed, however, the game quickly becomes a painful jog to the end. It's not your average arcade racer mind you, but blowing the same shit up ten times over gets a bit stagnant after a while. The game does an excellent job reeling the player in with its Bruckheimer/Bay charm, and like I said, the concept is awesome. It's essentially Death Race, but you're using the environment as your weapon.
That's what I really enjoyed about this. Things like blowing up a nuclear reactor and leveling everyone on the track, or using a jumbo jet to clear the field. All of this is great, but the game tends to lose its luster after a while. The actual races are what made the game frustrating.
For instance, say you clear the track and you end up in 1st place. Great, but now you realize you have a lap left with no means to defend yourself. Lame. This challenge of having to avoid one relentless assault after another is fun for two minutes. It gets very annoying very quickly.
Thankfully, they manage to keep things fresh with different modes. There is a survival type mode where an Apache chopper barrages you with missiles. Your job is to survive X amount of time in order to earn a trophy. The longer you survive, the better trophy you get. There are also time trial runs that have you run the gauntlet of enviromental traps, which is loads of fun, but brutally difficult.
So yes, I enjoyed Split Second, but I feel that the lack of being able to defend yourself is a design flaw. There is nothing more annoying than being in first most of the race, only to be taken out last second. Incredibly maddening I tell you. Try to read between my bitching and moaning. Split Second is a solid arcade racer that will have you smiling like an idiot at points, and swearing at your TV in others. Next on the menu...Magic The Gathering Plainswalkers.
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