Ridge Racer Revolution

Ridge Racer Revolution
Developer(s) Namco
Publisher(s) Namco
Distributor(s)
Series Ridge Racer
Platform(s) PlayStation
Release date(s)
  • JP 3 December 1995[1]
  • EU May 1996
  • NA 30 September 1996
Genre(s) Racing
Mode(s) Single-player, multiplayer

Ridge Racer Revolution[lower-alpha 1] is an arcade racing game developed and published by Namco for the PlayStation in 1995. It is the PlayStation sequel of Ridge Racer (the arcade sequel is Ridge Racer 2). Like the original Ridge Racer, the player races against eleven other computer-controlled cars, and supports Namco's NeGcon controller. The game adds two hidden cars for the player to unlock, and two-player support via the PlayStation Link cable. The game took roughly the same time to develop as the first game, and the intention was to create a more in-depth game with more features. The game also borrows most of its soundtrack from Ridge Racer 2. The game was re-released in Japan for the PlayStation The Best range on 27 June 1997, and for the Platinum Range in PAL regions the following year. The game received generally positive reviews, but some reviewers criticised its similarity to the original. Ridge Racer Revolution was followed by a sequel, Rage Racer, which was released on 3 December 1996 in Japan, May 15, 1997 in North America, and June 1997 PAL regions.

Gameplay

A race in progress.

The gameplay system remains unchanged from Ridge Racer, with its checkpoint and the time-limit system remaining the same; running out of time ends the game and passing through checkpoints grants the player additional time,[2](p4) although the drifting style is from Ridge Racer 2.[3](pp120,121) The cars are also mostly unchanged; both their names (certain cars are named after other Namco titles) and their specifications are very similar to the first game.[4](pp9-24) The player can drive using either automatic transmission or manual transmission.[5](p6) Ridge Racer Revolution supports Namco's NeGcon controller,[6](p71) and adds a rear-view mirror when using the in-car view.[7] The game consists of three courses: 'Novice', 'Intermediate' (also called 'Advanced'), and 'Expert', with each one having different sections of the track opened,[8](pp7,9)[6](p65) and incorporates modes from the original game; normal race against eleven other cars, and Time Trial against one car. Ridge Racer Revolution adds a new game mode: Free Run, in which there are no other cars and the player can practise driving around the track. There is no lap limit.[6](p65) There are four speed grades; the higher the grade, the faster the cars run. The grade is selectable in Free Run mode, and this option can be unlocked for Race mode. It is not available in Time Trial mode.[5](p6) A new feature of the game is the ability to select the time of day the in which the race takes place. This option is not available at the start of the game, and must be unlocked.[4](p73) Ridge Racer Revolution features a two-player link-up mode which also allows the players access to the two courses from the original Ridge Racer game known as 'Special 1' and 'Special 2'.[6](p70) There are two modes in two-player link-up: Race mode, which is identical to the single-player Race mode, and Versus mode, where only the players race against each other. Versus mode features a handicap option, which increases the speed of the trailing car.[6](p70)

Like the first Ridge Racer, the player normally starts with four cars. The remaining eight are selectable upon winning the mini game before the title screen (the mini game is Galaga '88 instead of the original game's Galaxian).[5] Also like the first game, after the player wins the first three circuits, reversed versions of the tracks are unlocked,[9] and the time trial mode becomes a boss race against two other cars including the duel car. There are three duel cars; the original '13th Racing' devil car from the first Ridge Racer of the Novice course, and the new '13th Racing Kid' (of the Intermediate course) and 'White Angel' (of the Expert course) cars.[5](pp90,91) The player will obtain those cars upon winning the respective course's time trial boss race.[10](pp8,85)

There are also two hidden modes; 'Drift Contest', where the player earns points according to how well spins are performed on certain corners,[2](pp68,69) and 'Pretty Racer' (also known as buggy mode), which was the inspiration for the arcade game Pocket Racer.[5](p94)[11](p171) Mirrored tracks that function the same way as the original game are also accessible.[4](p76) As with the first game, the player can insert a music CD during the game to listen to instead of the game's soundtrack. Unlike the first game, only the last track played is loaded into the PlayStation's memory; to switch courses the player would need to reinsert the game disc before loading the data.[10](p82)

Development

Ridge Racer Revolution was developed over eight months by a team of over twenty people, most of whom joined the development team just for Ridge Racer Revolution. Each member of the team had also worked on other console games, and they commented that the graphics detail of the game showed the improvements in skill and technique. The team wanted players to enjoy a more in-depth game than the original, so as many new features as possible were added, rather than develop a straight port of Ridge Racer 2. The early designs for the new courses were made in a "free run" programme, which was also used to see how fast the cars can go. The rear-view mirror was added primarily with the two player link-up mode in mind. The music was mostly taken from the arcade game Ridge Racer 2, and as a result, the sound was finished more quickly than the game. Soundtrack composition involved four musicians, who were also involved in composing the music for Ridge Racer, Ridge Racer 2, and Rave Racer. The biggest difficulties in developing the game were the link-up mode, the rear-view mirror, and running the game at high speeds. The team kept exploring the PlayStation's capabilities to solve the high speed problem, although they were confident it was possible. The game's designer Hiroyuki Onada commented that designing an original course was a challenge, and the director Kazumi Mizuno believed that graphics quality would be degraded with a split-screen multiplayer mode, so the team decided to focus on the PlayStation's link-up instead.[3](pp120,121)

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
CVG95/100[12](p65)
EGM9/10[13](p116)
GamePro4.5/5[14](p62)
GameSpot5.9/10[15][16]
Coming Soon Magazine[17]
Maximum[18](p120)
The Electric Playground8.5/10[19]
Absolute PlayStation9/10[9]
Gamezilla81/100[20]

The game was a bestseller in the UK.[21](p15) Coming Soon Magazine praised its multiplayer mode, saying it "will furnish many hours of competitive fun!", and in their conclusion remarked that the game "is an excellent racing game that will yield much excitement and challenges".[17] Absolute PlayStation praised its playability, its 'greatly' improved artificial Intelligence, and the two-player link-up feature.[9] Electronic Gaming Monthly remarked that it is even better than the original due to the cleaner graphics and improved handling on the cars, which makes them easier to control.[13](p116) Maximum acknowledged the game's similarity to the original Ridge Racer but gave it a strong recommendation nonetheless, arguing that its removal of the slowdown and track updating of the original, the enjoyable unlockables, and the two-player mode make it well worth buying. They concluded by remarking that the game is "an instantly playable arcade racer that oozes options and playability".[18](p120)

The Electric Playground complimented the game's additions and improvements over the first game, including the "much improved" graphics and the scene changes, about which it was commented that is was a "serious improvement". They also commented that the colours are "sharp and pretty", and the link-up multiplayer mode, remarking that "Linked RR Revolution is worth the buy alone", although the game's remixed music tracks were criticised because they "pale greatly in comparison to the original tracks".[19] Gamezilla commented that the new tracks are "always challenging and fun to race" and praised the free run mode, say it's a "great way to learn the tracks".[20] GamePro also praised the game, saying "Ridge Racer Revolution certainly upholds the Ridge Racer tradition by doing exactly what it should: It surpasses the original",[14](p63) and Computer and Video Games Magazine commented that the game is "Everything Ridge Racer maniacs could have wanted from a sequel".[12](p65)

Hugh Sterbakov of GameSpot called it "a clone of the original", and criticised the lack of split-screen multiplayer.[15][16]

References

  1. ↑ "PlayStation/リッジレーサー レボリューション". Bandai Namco Entertainment (in Japanese). Retrieved 13 October 2015.
  2. 1 2 １００パーセント遊ぶリッジレーサーレボリューション 伝授！最速ラップへのノウハウ （プレイステーション１００％シリーズ） 100 pāsento asobu Rijji Rēsā Reboryūshon denju! saisoku rappu e no nouhau (Pureisutēshon 100% shirīzu [100 percent play Ridge Racer Revolution instruction! Fastest lap know-how (PlayStation 100% series))] (in Japanese). 6 March 1996. ISBN 978-4874-652-909.
  3. 1 2 "Maximum Invades Namco R&D Headquarters! Ridge Racer Revolution Development Team Quizzed!". Maximum: The Video Game Magazine (Emap International Limited) (3). January 1996. ISSN 1360-3167.
  4. 1 2 3 リッジレーサーレボリューションパーフェクトガイド Rijji Rēsā Reboryūshon Pāfekuto Gaido [Ridge Racer Revolution Perfect Guide] (in Japanese). Tokyo: アスペクト. 27 January 1996. ISBN 978-4893-664-532.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 リッジレーサーレボリューション （プレイステーション必勝法スペシャル） Rijji Rēsā Reboryūshon (Pureisutēshon Hisshouhou Supesharu) [Ridge Racer Revolution (PlayStation Winning Strategy Special)] (in Japanese). Keibunsha. 1996. ISBN 978-4766-924-275.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 "Special Extended Play The sequel to the stunning original! Ridge Racer Revolution". Maximum: The Video Game Magazine (Emap International Limited) (5). April 1996. ISSN 1360-3167.
  7. ↑ "PlayStation/リッジレーサー　レボリューション". Bandai Namco Entertainment (in Japanese). Retrieved 14 October 2015.
  8. ↑ Ridge Racer Revolution manual (PAL ed.). Namco. 1995.
  9. 1 2 3 "RIDGE RACER REVOLUTION". Absolute PlayStation. June 1996. Archived from the original on 5 September 2015. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
  10. 1 2 リッジレーサーレボリューション必勝攻略法 Rijji Rēsā Reboryūshon Hisshou Kouryaku Hou [Ridge Racer Revolution Certain Victory Strategy Guide] (in Japanese). Futabasha. 30 January 1996. ISBN 978-4575-285-420.
  11. ↑ The PlayStation Book. Bournemouth: Imagine Publishing Ltd. 2015. ISBN 978-1785-461-064.
  12. 1 2 "CVG Review Ridge Racer Revolution" (PDF). Computer And Video Games Magazine (171). February 1996. ISSN 0261-3697. Retrieved 4 May 2016.
  13. 1 2 "Box Score: Ridge Racer Revolution". Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis) (81). April 1996.
  14. 1 2 "Ridge Racer Revolution" (PDF). GamePro (IDG) (96). September 1996. ISSN 1042-8658. Retrieved 3 May 2016.
  15. 1 2 Sterbakov, Hugh (1 December 1996). "Ridge Racer Revolution Review". GameSpot. Retrieved 13 October 2015.
  16. 1 2 "Ridge Racer Revolution Reviews and Articles for PlayStation". GameRankings. Retrieved 13 October 2015.
  17. 1 2 "Ridge Racer Revolution - Sony Playstation Review". Coming Soon Magazine. 1996. Retrieved 13 October 2015.
  18. 1 2 "Maximum Reviews: Ridge Racer Revolution". Maximum: The Video Game Magazine (Emap International Limited) (6). May 1996. ISSN 1360-3167.
  19. 1 2 Shaw, John (18 October 1996). "Ridge Racer Revolution developed by Namco published by Namco for PlayStation". The Electric Playground. Archived from the original on 4 August 1997. Retrieved 24 April 2016.
  20. 1 2 Skorupa, Mark (1996). "Ridge Racer Revolution (PSX)". Gamezilla. Archived from the original on 2 February 2002. Retrieved 28 April 2016.
  21. ↑ "Official UK PlayStation Magazine" (8). Future Publishing. July 1996. ISSN 1752-2102.

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Ridge Racer Revolution (リッジレーサーレボリューション Rijji Rēsā Reboryūshon)

External links

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