4x4 Evolution

Though there are a lot of racing titles available for the Dreamcast, it�s a real shame that there are so few good ones, with most of them being okay at best. At least 4X4 Evolution (EVO) is a title that can genuinely be considered good. Good graphics, lots of tracks, and plenty of trucks to choose from make it an excellent Dreamcast racing game. But the game is by no means perfect, there are some minor physics issues and some ruthless AI that brings down the game�s overall experience a notch.

Getting the problematic issues out of the way, the most irritating part of EVO for the Dreamcast is its AI at higher difficulties. It�s not tough, it�s downright cheap! One of the favorite methods of computer controlled vehicles for passing is to try and run your truck off the road. Rosco P. Coltrane didn�t even try this hard when chasing the Duke boys. Not only do they try to run you down, they have an incredible knack of doing it in a manner that will plow your truck into a tree, requiring you to back up, then accelerate from a stop, doubly screwing you over. The second painful quality of the game is that the physics in it make the trucks handle a little too loose. This is especially evident when getting air or driving over bumpy terrain. The trucks start to feel like they�re floating on a cloud and become a lot harder to control. Realistic? Yes. Fun? No. Frustrating? Definitely.

Despite the physics problem the game�s controls are still very good. The responsiveness of the trucks is generally very good, as they can take corners and maneuver with very little trouble. The only time that the controls don�t feel as solid is when you select an especially large truck with a high center of gravity, as they can become far more top-heavy and swerve a lot more from being pulled around by their own mass.

What�s nice from a visual standpoint is that all of these different 4X4s are extremely well modeled. Lots of tiny, little details have been included from off-roading lights, to CB antennas, to little finish jobs. A lot of effort must have been put in to make the trucks look so good. The environments are equally impressive, as they are highly detailed, with lots of decorations on each course to give players a little something extra to look at. Best of all is that the game flows at a very smooth frame rate so players needn�t worry about graphical shortcomings hurting the play experience.

The game also includes a very wide variety of courses to race on. Most popular terrain types are present with forests, deserts, coastal regions, the arctic, and several others. There�s a lot of variation in the size and complexity of the courses, but one thing that stands out is that Terminal Reality sure like to make the tracks wind. There are very few straight-aways in the game; instead, the tracks constantly twist and turn. It�s a nice change, but it would have been even nicer if there were at least a few more areas on some of the courses that really let the player bring the trucks up to full speed.

But if there�s one thing gamers should beware of in the game, it�s the music. While by no means horrible, it�s also not at all good. It�s just there. The tunes have nothing that jumps out and grabs the listener, getting their toes tapping. Just listen to one of your CDs while playing the game. Sound effects on the other hand are very well done. Trucks actually sound like big, aggressive vehicles and the incidental sounds are very realistic.

If you�re tired of racing all manners of sports cars through busy streets and on concrete, 4X4 Evolution is definitely a title to look for. Despite some minor shortcomings it�s a fantastic racing game, and being a little different will be a refreshing change for many gamers.

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