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Star Wars: Racer Revenge Review - PS2

I guess if you were a game designer and you sat down and tried to figure out what to make a game based around after viewing the Phantom Menace, there's a good chance it wouldn't be Jar Jar's Adventures! Without a doubt the scene that pops out and screams computer game tie-in is the pod-racing scene. And that's exactly what we got. Star Wars: Racer was released on N64 and PC as well as an arcade version. As we know LucasArts don't mind a sequel or two and it came as no surprise that Racer Revenge was released around the same time as the 2nd prequel. Is this another rushed release designed to fleece fan boys of their hard earned dough?? Or is this a Star Wars title that demands everyone's attention?

Gameplay

The game is set after the events of the Boonta Eve Classic, in which a young Anakin Skywalker defeated the unbeatable Sebulba. Shamed and disgraced, Sebulba disappeared off the pod-racing circuit, returning 8 years later to extract revenge.
After choosing your character you are now ready to enter the super speed world of pod racing. Sure, you start of at a rather pedestrian pace but this all starts to change once you start earning some truguts for your troubles. Pods are given ratings for speed, acceleration, defence, cooling, handling and repair. These can be upgraded at Watto's junkyard with the truguts won from the previous race. A major enhancement over the original is that racer's are rewarded for taking out opposition pods. In fact, this is essential to progressing through the game. Each pod has a health bar floating above them and damage is inflicted depending on the speed and angle of the hit. Of course, you aren't immune to damage yourself and the opposition pod racers are extremely aggressive. No damage is lost if you instigate the contact. This adds to the game immensely and creates some frantic and pulsating action. Watto awards you truguts depending on how many pod's you've managed to destroy. You also unlock pod racers if you destroy them while they're the track favourite. While it's a rather simple addition to the game, it actually changes the dynamics considerably.
Controlling your pod is relatively simple and user friendly. You can change your view to suit your style while there is a default button to take you back from your pod in order to see any racers around, so you can send them spiralling into a wall! Holding onto boost for too long overheats your engines requiring you to repair. While you are repairing your pod your speed drops, creating some great moments where you're meters from the finish line and you must use your boost while your engines are on fire!
The biggest problem with Racer Revenge is that it is way too short. After winning all the initial racers you can rapidly improve your pod by betting your truguts. If one were inclined to race the races without worrying ... (continued next page)