Click Here to Return to the Homepage
Reviews Editorials & Features Other Places That Don't Suck
Those Responsible
Review by VIX3
Apex
Xbox - Infogrames - Racing - E - 2 Players
Apex is one of those games that you can't put down while you're playing it, but then you can't bring yourself to pick it back up. I played this game for 12 hours straight and had the time of my life, but I haven't been able to bring myself to enjoy it since. The main reason is that it promises you things it can't deliver, and while the gameplay is excellent and the graphic are amazing, you never seem to achieve your goal. You end up driving in circles around the same four tracks, with different roads blocked off, depending on which race you're running at the time.
Cornering can be difficult at first, but it's a breeze once you realize you don't have to pull all the crap tricks necessary in other race games.
The actual driving controls are pretty good and the courses are set up so that you can corner most turns by simply dropping the accelerator. This does make the game nice to play and not too frustrating while running. Also, the cars all get real-time damage which is, in this game, a mixed blessing. The damage is a nice touch, but it's only that. I've never hit a wall at 190mph and just broken my left headlight, but then again maybe I've been living in the wrong physical environment. Who knows? I do like the fact that if your rear is tapped enough you'll end up with a bumper that drags and sparks along the ground. This can make for some nifty racing replays. However, it doesn't affect driving in any way. That isn't cool.
The cars look amazing. Also you're able to change the design and color at the touch of a button.
The absolute best things about this game are all in the garage. You start out with a dusty friend in a gas station. As you play you develop the station into a booming car factory complete with a research department and a hot receptionist. After every race someone in your garage will comment on the race and how pleased or displeased they are with your performance. You can move around in your garage from room to room in an ingenious background menu type format. The game options are concealed on a shelf in the corner which the people in the game will comment on as being a confusing thing to change. This type of humor is a nice touch and pretty unexpected in a racing game.
All of the prototype cars seem as if they are designed by professionals, as they make sense aerodynamically. It's still unknown whether they are actual concepts or not.
The only thing that really drags this game down is the fact that you are promised a chance to design your own car, but you end up choosing your car off a scrap pile of schematics. You're really not designing a car, but instead choosing which one you will unlock when you complete the next set of tasks. This can be very frustrating for several reasons, but mainly because the game is advertised as being the first game that allows you full ability to design and race a car. I'm still just waiting for the day when someone actually harnesses the full abilities of a system to create a game with full damage, where you can race hundreds of different types of real and fictional cars, gives you the chance to design and build a completely messed up car of your own, take it out on the track to race it, and possibly, smash it completely. Apparently though, with the way racing games are going, I might as well just wait for the day we can eat video games for nutrition.
+ The cars look fantastic and I couldn't ask for more in the backgrounds. Just look at the reflections as you drive.
9.0
+ I never actually noticed any music in the game until I had to write this review. That's just the way it should be, it's there, but not intrusive.
9.0
++ The control and handling of the cars was very well done. Every car has its own style and yet each is a smooth ride around the course. Cornering control is especially nice.
9.5
+ While you can't really design your own cars, the design of each of the prototype cars are great. I still haven't been able to find out whether these are real concept cars or not, but they were obviously well planed either way.
9.0
+/- While you will probably not be able to put this game down while you are playing, you may have problems picking it back up once you've stopped. The main reason is when you realize you're not really progressing.
8.0
+ I think just about anyone would enjoyApex, but if you are a die hard racing fan, this game is a must.
8.9
Agree or disagree with the review? We want your opinion! Submit a Reader Review! All reasonable reviews will be posted. We support free speech, so don't hold back.