RE-VOLT

Reviewed By: Rick Casteel
STAFF REVIEWER

GAME TECH INFO

Computer Platform: PC
Produced by: Aklaim
Price Range: $15-25
Learning curve time: >1 hr.
Age level: 12+
ESRB Rating: Everyone
Patches / Upgrades: Yes
System Requirements: P-200, 106MB HD, 32 RAM, 3d Accelerator

Genre: Racing SIM
Christian Rating: 5 of 5
   (nothing offensive)
Gameplay: 2 of 5
   (poor)
Violence: 5 of 5
   (none)
Adult Content: 5 of 5
   (none)

Screenshots from 'Re-Volt'. Illustration copyrighted.

Those of you who read my review of “Star Wars Episode 1: Racer” know I got hooked on racing sims of late. Having the steering device for my PC makes the whole experience more realistic and satisfying. Ready to take the racing world by storm, I started to shop for my next conquest.

I came across “Re-Volt” in the local Best Buy, on sale and covered with “Racing game of the year” awards. The premise seemed unique; select and race a radio-controlled racer against other RC cars in a variety of interesting settings. So, purchase in hand I strode out ready to make racing history. Well, don't look for my name in the RC car hall-of-fame yet!

“Re-Volt” is one of those games you just want to love. It's got a great concept, eye popping graphics, no objectionable material (except the irritating musical score) and evokes fond memories just by looking at the box top. Anyone who has operated an RC car has gotten a thrill out of the wild stunts and crazy jumps you could never see performed with a real car. The racing terrains in the game vary from the typical urban street, to a museum, to a grocery store and a construction zone. Racers can pick up items such as water balloons and firecrackers to toss at other cars to slow them down. Man, this has got to be fun!

Unfortunately, the controls are impossible. I say this after hours of working with it just to get through one race. If it were just me, I might suggest I just couldn't adapt to the sensitive steering model, but all 3 of my kids and a friend from down the street couldn't win more than one or two races! We tried with the wheel and with the mouse and keyboard. The wheel was actually worse than the mouse for steering and control. The developers simply made the controls too much like an actual RC controller. One hair too much and you wipe out. Then try turning around, again, too much turning, too much gas, you've just spun in a circle and lost any chance of winning the race. I suppose if you purchased a RC controller made for the PC that might help but really.

"Re-Volt" ended up being an exercise in frustration and helped me put into practice Romans 5:3-4 "And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope". I will hope that some day, someone would take this concept and make a great game with it.

Year of Release—1999

Actually a running theme throughout the game is the destruction of other people's toys (when it helps one get ahead). Clearly it glorifies the self above others in competition. But seriously, a fun, colorful racing game, with lots of charming aspects for every gamer. ; ) My Ratings: [5/4]
—Kurgan, age 22

A great game with a catchy title. I will somewhat agree with the reviewers comments about the games controls. I did not use the joystick and stuck with the racing wheel. In order to master the car and turning you need to master the art of “feathering.” You will rarely go full throttle or make hard turns. There is an option, if I can remember correctly, for steering wheel adjustments. A lot of mastering the track is knowing what turn takes place next, and what power ups to use and when. Once you have that down you can mirror the track and see how you do when you thing at right turn is coming up and it ends up being a left. There are plenty of 3rd party upgrades out too. You can download everything from a hummer, the Batmobile (My favorite) and even airplanes. Over all this is a great game with an excellent environment. My Ratings: [5/5]
—Chuck Bardsley, age 30

I thought “Re-volt” was a real challenge, trying to beat the other cars while racing through a museum etc. I played with the keyboard, but had no problems at all steering the cars or winning the races. I've won about 15 races and timetrials and guess I'm 75% through the game. More challenges await as I take on the same tracks, but now backwards, anti-clockwise and mirrored! Best tip: not every car can win every track. Start with the slower cars on the first tracks and use cars with more grip e.g. in the museum or the supermarket. Use a fast car on the Titanic-level. As you progress in the game more neat cars become available who make it easier to take on the advanced tracks. My Ratings: [5/4]
—Marcus van den Berg, age 26

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this Christian Spotlight review are those of the reviewer (both ratings and recommendations), and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Films for Christ or the Christian Answers Network.