OutRun 2 - XBOX (2004) 'Longplay & Review'
2OutRun 2
~ Better Late Than Never ~
For the exclusive few that can afford one, owning a stylish Ferrari becomes a right of passage to ultimately look cool, score with the chicks, and generate mischievous conduct on four-wheels. Suffice it to say that for the remaining individuals who aren’t equipped to reside in this life of luxury and happen to be in shameful possession of a neglected Toyota Camry… well, you’ll merely have to settle for an interactive diversion that lets one control their dream machine, fantasy gal, and unquenchable thirst to break-the-law so defiantly. Hey, it’s better than nothing I reckon.
Many gamers (including myself) can still reminisce back to the quarter-munching coin-op days of yore or even the 8-bit SEGA Master System era when the original ‘Out Run’ assertively ruled the racing foreground. Hence (a scant two decades later), SEGA decided to revitalize a classic that STILL holds a special place in the hearts of so many. This 2004 iteration of OutRun 2 poses no wonder as to why the developer’s focused intention was staying wholly committed to the franchise’s roots. Folks, this is nothing short of PURE arcade racing at its very CORE.
Now then, the game itself is appropriately broken-up into various modes that’ll have you endlessly competing long after being paid-in-full with a nasty case of Carpel Tunnel. First off, the traditional ‘Arcade’ setting will have you cruising through a range of checkpoints within a specified time limit - all in a hasty attempt to reach the finish line before the ticking-clock expires.
Hands down, OutRun 2 will unquestionably challenge even the most gifted wheelman. Thankfully, being given the intermittent option of selecting different branching forks in the road will ultimately determine the difficulty of your journey. Ardent fans of this series are well aware that turning “left” near these junctions is predictably the easier route in question - while veering towards the “right” only ups-the-stakes, making your goal noticeably tougher to attain.
Along the way, you’ll be whipping the most certifiably prolonged power-slides yet to be seen in a game - and believe it or not, it’s a relatively effortless maneuver to perform on-the-fly. When approaching a twisty-bend with reckless abandon, you simply tap the brake while shifting the car sideways until the tail-end kicks out - providing an ample opportunity to drift incomprehensible distances with ease. By all means, the controls aren’t perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but still remain tightly-tuned with an elegant poise that makes weaving through traffic-infested highways a cinch. Conversely, the AI in this game is dreadfully unpredictable, erratic, and just plain jumpy at times - so take heed before road rage ensues.
At any rate, you’ll also have the chance to undertake roughly 100 diverse mission objectives which include... collecting hearts, knocking over cones, and driving through colored zones, etc. Sure enough, you get stuck trying to impress some nagging slap-happy gold-digger riding shotgun, who’s evidently with your sorry-ass because of the $100,000 automobile. Yes sir re bob, another prime example of art imitating life, no? Altogether, these elective modes contribute just enough pizzazz to keep them from becoming a gimmicky distraction.
Now then, the graphics aren’t mind- altering (nor were they exactly notable at this game‘s initial release), but irrefutably do a serviceable job for an Original XBOX title from the early 2000’ish era nonetheless. Throughout this Prancing Horse cultured excursion, you’ll be gracefully cruising past scenic vistas that all resonate an unembellished charm and the included car models are properly represented in a way that would make Ferrari proud. True to form, there’s a dazzling assortment of Italian beauties to choose from. Hmm... F40 anyone?
Anyhow, the overall sound ingredient does a commendable job by reworking those unforgettable melodious tunes from it predecessor. They've incorporated Splash Wave, Magical Sound Shower, and my personal fav - Passing Breeze. Remember how those palm-tree swayin’ party-hardy retro jingles would incessantly play over and over inside your head after an entire day of sweet gaming goodness? Nevertheless, these evocative old-school jams help conjure up a nostalgic sense of tranquility from a time when life was a bit simpler.
All things considered, the longevity of the Out Run appeal is wholly evident as it’s withstood the test of time and remains a tribute to sheer arcade delight. The main drawback however, is that this version doesn’t break any new ground and seems like a mere updated classic for this specific generation of video games. Even still, the overall fun factor is immediately recognizable - providing balls-to-the-wall exhilaration. All this title’s essentially lacking are the Original XBOX LIVE servers and an old-school wooden cabinet to replicate that sensation from decades ago.