At first glance, Extreme G Racing 3, by Acclaim, appears to be just another futuristic combat racer. But once you've put a few hours into this game, you'll see that its all that and so much more. I have to admit, when I first popped this game in my PS2, my expectations weren't very high. I can't say I expected any more than a next generation WipeOut clone, but in addition to the eye popping graphics and ear popping Dolby Surround Sound, there were enough new twists to the old formula to make this game stand out head and shoulders above the (small) crowd.

If you've played any of the other Extreme G titles, you will know what this game is all about. You strap yourself into a streamlined, weapons laden, high-tech motorcycle, and do your damnedest to break the sound barrier. Think of the bikes from Akira and you've got a good idea what these bad boys look like. This may sound like a simple enough concept, but Acclaim has really outdone themselves on this one. You will find yourself constantly distracted by the gorgeous, detailed scenery that streaks by, instead of watching the track (because at these speeds, you need to be watching where you're going). The sense of speed delivered is phenomenal, from the sounds of your bike revving at the beginning of the race (kind of like a jet engine...), to the smooth frame rate, you will certainly feel like you're shooting along at hundreds of miles per hour. And if you manage to take your eyes off the race for a few moments, you will notice the attention to detail the developers put into this game, from the simple things, such as raindrops dripping down the screen, to the more complex, as in the flying traffic that careens by directly above the track on one level. The sound effects are top-notch as well, you can hear your opponent coming up from behind you, and I still get giddy listening to the bikes screaming up to top speed. The ambient sound effects are equally immersive, from the sound of falling rain as you streak through a jungle to the howling winds as you drop into a deep gorge, you get the sense that these are real places. Unfortunately, the soundtrack is your standard video game Electronica, and doesn't stand out as much as the rest of the game. On the whole, this is one pretty, great sounding game, but thankfully there is more to it than next generation bells and whistles alone.

The Extreme G racing league consists of six teams, with two racers per team (12 racers in all). In order to win some of the harder races, you may find yourself relying on your teammate to give you a helping hand, or vice versa (although you are only rated depending on how you personally finish). This adds a bit of depth to the gameplay, especially in two player (you can either be on the same team, or race against a friend). But the real depth comes from the weapons system. During the race, there are two types of recharge lanes you can drive through, one for shield energy, which is used for turbo as well, and one for weapon energy, which is universal to every weapon. Although each bike initially starts with only a forward firing cannon, you can use prize money to buy not just new weapons (which are creative and varied), but faster engines, quicker shield/weapon scoops, for use in the energy lanes, and larger shield/weapon banks, for storing more energy. This adds a lot of depth to the gameplay, as it is possible to play through the leagues many times over, using different weapons and strategies each time. There are a total of four different leagues, each using a faster class engine. In addition to League play, there is also an arcade option, so that you may practice each track, and a Time Trial option, where you can earn more money by breaking records. Even the track design is top notch. As you progress through the game, you will find yourself racing through dizzying corkscrews and gravity defying loops, dropping and climbing near vertical surfaces, and twisting and turning through multiple paths. At times it almost feels as if you are riding a roller coaster rather than racing along a dedicated stretch of roadway.

There were a few concerns I had with this game, though. It is a bit daunting when you first pick it up, with the ability to not only steer, but use air brakes as well, you will probably find yourself bouncing off more walls than you'd like. Also, this game uses just about every button, and the many controls can initially be confusing at high speeds. And even though the team play is a good idea, it can be hard to tell your teammates from enemies at times. But that's really just nitpicking more than anything else, and once you've gotten the hang of racing, this games a blast. So if you've been waiting for the next WipeOut, or you just have a passing interest in all things speedy, you might want to check this one out. Just be sure to hang on tight.  

Install: NA

Gameplay: 8.5
You might find this game a bit hard to pick up, but if you are willing to put the time into getting the hang of the control, there is enough new ideas, and improvements on old ones, to keep you satisfied.

Graphics: 9
This is next-gen racing done right. Just don't spend too much time looking at the scenery, or you may find yourself bouncing off a wall.

Sound: 8
Good sound effects and ambiance really help give you the feel of riding a jet engine on two wheels, but I had to knock off a few points for the generic soundtrack.

Difficulty: 8.5
As mentioned before, a bit hard to play the first few times. After that, you will have no problem, so long as your reflexes are quick enough...

Concept: 8
Got to be honest here, this isn't a new idea. Fortunately, there are enough new twists on the genre to make this game worth a look.

Multiplayer: 9
With the ability to race with or against your friends, the only thing lacking here is 4 player. Hey, we can't have it all, right?

Overall: 9
This is definitely a game worth looking into. Great polish, plenty of depth to keep you racing for a while, there is very little not to like about this one.