GAMES
.: REVIEW
May 2002
by Jae Lurman
WAVE
RACE : BLUE STORM
When
you look back at Nintendo's veteran track-record, it becomes apparent
that the big N built many of the foundations upon which alot of today's
gaming genres thrive. Back in the early eighties, Super Mario Brothers
defined the 2D platform style which still lingers today, and in 1996
they redefined the genre by successfully adding a third dimension
into Super Mario 64. The origins of hit titles like SSX Tricky and
Dark Summit can be linked directly to Nintendo's 1080° Snowboarding.
Not to mention all the kart racing knock-offs that followed Mario
Kart and the profound effects that each and every Zelda game has upon
the worldwide gaming community. So when other developers went in search
of the perfect rally / street racing product, Nintendo took a new
direction. The result of which was Wave Race 64 - a fast and furious
jet-ski racer with incredible graphics and gameplay way ahead of its
time. Now Nintendo ups the ante on the Gamecube with Wave Race's first
sequel, Blue Storm.
Well schooled
Wave Race players should feel instantly at home with Blue Storm, pulling
off huge air tricks and winning championships like nobody's business.
Newcommers however may have to put in hours of hard practice getting
to grips with the craft's touchy and responsive controls. But This
learning curve is sweetened by the in-depth tutorials available and
the free-roam mode which lets you practice any level you wish without
opposition from rivals or a restricting time limit. Don't listen to
other reviews that accuse the unforgiving control-scheme as the game's
downfall, when it is actually quite the opposite - realise that driving
a jet-ski isnt like driving a car, but more like a bicyle. A simple
short jab of the control stick can send you flying off the course
and headfirst into the nearest obstacle, or it could very well give
you the swift tight turn you needed to pass the marker and get out
in front of the pack. Further complaints can be settled with customization
and adjustments to the handling. The other obvious difference that
many seem to forget is that you are not on land, you are on water,
and thus alot more factors enter the controlability equation - weather
for instance.
The weather
effects are simply dazzling and do much more than just look the part.
A stormy night on the Ocean City Harbor course makes for choppy waves
and rain so dense and realistic that it even splashes onto the "Camera".
A particularly nasty day on the Arctic Bay track gives the water an
icy reflection, launch ramps are slippery, and heavy fogging decreases
visibility. Often the weather works in stages over the 3-lap span
of your race. The fog may lift to a beautiful clear day or the tide
may receede revealing new hazardous rocks and potential shortcuts.
Blue Storm's
colours are rich and vibrant, keeping mainly within the primary scheme
(reds, yellows, greens and blues) which makes for a visual feast while
playing. Beneath the glistening water lurk some beautiful sealife
and at times you just stop to watch the magestic turtles glide beneath
you or the playful dolphins giving chase to each other. Huge Killer
Whales bellow out of the surface and crash down, sending ripples towards
you as you skim over them whilst negating the slalom maze of buoys.
Presentation
on the whole is top-notch with some simple yet beautiful menu and
selection systems and brief loading times which barely break up the
pace of the action. The audio is crisp and the sound effects have
a translucent quality to them. The music is very fitting and varied
enough, going from funk / fusion to different shades of electronica
and carribean styles. Each rider also has a specific crew chief which
keeps in touch with you throughout the competition and each has their
own accent and vocabulary style. If a little cliche at times, small
additions and improvements like this really help to polish off the
game in one slick experience.
So do vast
graphical and audio improvements warrant a sequel? Perhaps other development
companies would agree, but Wave Race : Blue Storm has definitely been
given the Nintendo treatment. There's loads of hidden things to uncover
both on the tracks themselves and within the menu system. Unlocking
new tracks, modes, difficulty levels and selectable weather conditions
are among the more substantial examples. But underneath the surface
lies a plethora of easter eggs much to the delight persistent players.
Nintendo even implemented a secret password screen and continue to
release special codes to the public, allowing new options to be accessed
and even holding competitions specifically through this unique feature.
Lets not forget about the excellent Time Attack, Stunt and Multiplayer
modes which potentially keep you (and others) coming back again and
again.
The bottom
line is that while Blue Storm may sumarise as Wave Race 64 in a new
shell, the game is about the most solid playable racer you'll ever
experience without wheels - if you are patient to master its control.
A gorgeous first generation Gamecube title that leaves the competition
behind in its wake.
IMAGE SOURCES
Screenshots
are from Nintendo.com.
GBA
Wishlist (Part 2)
