Ignition

Ik zal beginnen met het axioma dat iedereen zou moeten kennen: iedereen houdt van 'Ignition'. Als je je trouwens afvraagt wat een axioma is, dat is dusdanig basaal feit dat het geen bewijs behoeft. Dit moet wel het meest leuke spel dat ik ooit heb gespeeld. Nu ik deze schaamteloze persoonlijke indruk van dit spel uit mijn systeem heb, zal ik proberen een objectieve recensie te schrijven.

'Ignition' is ontwikkeld door een klein Zweeds bedrijf genaamd UDS (Unique Development Studios) and door Virgin dedistribueerd. Helaas is UDS tegenwoordig failliet, waarschijnlijk dankzij een aantal minder succesvolle titels die na 'Ignition' werden gelanceerd. Je vraagt je waarschijnlijk af waardoor 'Ingnition' zo'n hype werd en zoveel bewondering oogste. In de eerste plaats vanwege het simpele concept - het moest er goed uitzien, goed voelen en je constant naar meer moeten doen verlangen. In al deze facetten is het foutloos geslaagd, maar boven alles is de gameplay buiten proportioneel goed.

Je kunt dit spel op een flink aantal manieren spelen. In de 'een speler'-modus kun je kiezen uit kampioenschap, enkele race, tijdrit en achtervolging. In een kampioenschap moet je op alle banen racen en punten verdienen. Als je

There are quite a few modes of play. The single player mode features championship, single race, time trial and pursue races. In championship, you race all available tracks and earn points. If you collect most points through all races, a new track and car get unlocked. Once you complete a championship, the game difficulty will automatically increase from novice to amateur. Of course, you can return it to novice, but in order to unlock new tracks and cars, you will also have to win championships in amateur and professional difficulty levels. Single race mode is just that - a single race with a car and track of your choice. Pursuit is similar, but with a slight twist - each time a lap is completed, the last car is destroyed, and thus kicked out of the race. This goes on until there is just one car left - the winner of course. Last but not least is the time trial mode in which you can race against the ghost car which shows how you drove when the track record was made. This is great for practicing. Single player mode is just the tip of the iceberg though. Multiplayer offers two more modes - splitscreen and network.

Graphics, level design and sounds are also a story for itself. The perspective moves about as you storm through twisty roads, bridge passes, cliffs serpents and canyons. Calling it bird perspective would be an insult since the game offers a full-blown 3D engine that looks and performs amazing. The DOS mode will limit you to 320x240 resolution, but you can enjoy the stunning look in 800x600 when playing under Windows. There are 10 levels in total, and some will complain about this, but the level design is so diverse and beautiful, you won't be bored even after driving around for countless number of laps. Every track features special jumps, twists and shortcuts that can be passed in an infinite number of ways. Basically, every lap is an unique experience. Also, every car has a set of characteristics that determine how fast it goes, how well it handles and how quickly the turbo charges. The turbo? Yes, every car has a regenerating turbo that will give you a speed burst for a short amount of fun. Using those in the right moment is critical for winning races. Also, each car produces a special sound when using the turbo. For example, when driving the police car, its sirenes will light up and sound the alarm, in school bus you will hear children screaming and cheering etc.

If you were wondering what the point of this game was, I will have to dissapoint you by telling you there is just one - to win the race and laugh at your looser opponents / friends. At a first glance it might seem a bit daft, but actually its more fun and addictive than you could ever imagine. Now would be a good time to conclude this review since only the most persistant of you actually read all the way until here :) There is just one more thing to say - this game is absolutely magnificent so go get it right away!! A straight 5, no thinking necessary.