Ridge Racer 6

By Tom Bramwell Published 19 September, 2005

Over the hill?

The problem with Ridge Racer is that you're never sure whether Namco's going to show up. Ridge Racer's PSP debut was patched together in record time, but turned out to be one of the most accomplished and fine-tuned of the handheld's launch titles - still to be eclipsed in the PSP arcade racing stakes nearly a year after we first played it. But R: Racing was dull. Ridge Racer 5 didn't live up to its billing. And Ridge Racer DS was some sort of appalling joke with my money as the punchline.

Even so, I was optimistic heading to TGS. I'm a Ridge Racer fanboy, after all. But for all my optimism and speculation at the airport, on the plane, at the hotel, dancing around Tokyo, on the express, riding the local to Makuhari Messe, on the steps, at the press check-in, on the way down the escalator to the floor, on the trek over to the Namco booth, and standing the 15 minutes in line [and every single minute up until the point I nearly smacked you in the face - Rob], I wouldn't have guessed the truth, because the truth still seems a bit odd.

Ridge Racer 6 on Xbox 360 looks and feels like a port of Ridge Racer PSP.

Visualise Ridge Racer on the PSP. Smooth, curvy facsimiles of real cars done in that inimitable Namco way, big tracks that swoop down hillsides and through valleys, over mountains and through tunnels, the occasional swooping helicopter and little sparkly particle effect, and a range of low-res textures that go largely unnoticed thanks to the sharpness of the small screen and the pleasant lighting effects and car graphics.

Now, add some bump-mapping and specular effects to the track, creating the impression of a pock-marked tarmac that shines under the heat of the sun; add a large number of trees, buildings, and other sundry sights and sounds to the background vistas; add a few more of those sparkly effects and make sure the helicopter looks really detailed; and of course bump up the texture quality. Bosh, it's Ridge Racer 6.

Nitro was a sensible addition to Ridge Racer on PSP - sensible both in terms of how you accumulated it and how you benefited from it - and it's in here too. And much the same. There are three tanks to fill, and each receives a small boost when you slide round corners. When you activate the nitro, the screen takes on a slightly warped look to emphasise the increase in speed and having your neck snapped back by the Gs.

'Ridge Racer 6' Screenshot 1

Namco hasn't released any official in-game shots that we've seen.

The screen furniture is also basically the same; the rear-view is the same, the dials are the same; the only real change is that the little pop-up noting the distance between you and the guy behind or in front now uses Pac-Man graphics instead of Rally-X. Even the controls are spread out much the same way. Except for Nitro, which is on Y rather than the right shoulder button ala the PSP - but maybe that's just because having to use the analogue shoulder button for a power-up would draw attention to the shameful lack of analogue acceleration and braking.

Where it's not similar it just feels a bit mundane. Ridge Racer has always been about performing insane powerslides around corners - pushing the back end of the car out to impossible extremes and then righting it just in time to retain your speed out of the corner - but there have always been changes that made a difference. Ridge Racer 6 doesn't feel significantly different right now. Whether that's because it actually isn't or simply because it moves too slowly (the demo car only got up to 220kph, and the sense of speed was never that impressive - even in bumper-cam view) is too hard to say based on a trade show demo.

There are other issues. For example, the quality of the visuals is more technical than anything; the resolution is high and the draw distance is immense, so you can always see lots going on and always to a greater degree of fine detail than you're probably familiar with. But it's not any prettier or more imaginative; it's just running on better hardware. Likewise the lighting and the controls. Despite the sunlight and specular effects on the road, the lack of atmosphere and brightness in other areas gives the impression of being slightly overcast. And when you use the analogue stick to steer, the camera seems to twitch a bit before you actually turn, and you tend to over-steer far more than you do using the d-pad. Which, in a game where you're already deliberately over-steering, can be a bit of a pitfall.

None of this is to say that Ridge Racer 6 is a bad game; just that the TGS demo implies that it's not a very imaginative or exciting one, and that it needs tuning. It looks and plays reasonably enough, but it doesn't feel like a banner Ridge Racer title. It doesn't feel like the kind of game we'll be sitting around in pubs eulogising five years from now - there's no 'wow factor'. There's a sense that Namco's turned up, but it's copied its homework - and since in those terms this is the Oxbridge intake of Christmas gaming rushes, it's going to need to buck its ideas up before December 2nd.

Ridge Racer 6 is an Xbox 360 launch title in Japan and presumably here in Europe, which would put it in our hands (and disc-trays) on December 2nd.

Picture of Tom.

About Tom Bramwell

Tom is Operations director of Eurogamer Network and Editor-at-Large of Eurogamer.net. He joined the company in February 2000.

Read more articles from Tom by visiting the Tom Bramwell archive page.

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Comments (35) Latest comment 6 years ago

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  • killyourtv #1 6 years ago

    "it's not any prettier or more imaginative; it's just running on better hardware"

    Welcome to next-gen

  • Zero Beat #2 6 years ago

    From what I saw in Xboxyde's video it looked like they had the speed down perfectly. Visually I sortof expected simple visuals like the PSP game, just really crisp and really fast. The roadside rock textures etc should be better though and you'd have thought they could make the road markings curve round smoothly now.

  • HairyArse #3 6 years ago

    " But it's not any prettier or more imaginative; it's just running on better hardware. "...

    Oh already beaten to it...

  • kangarootoo #4 6 years ago

    Some next gen games will be imaginative, most will be carbon copies, some will be bloody awful.

    Welcome to video games.

  • tonynibbles #5 6 years ago

    Ridge Racer 6 on Xbox 360 looks and feels like a port of Ridge Racer PSP.


    ROLF!

  • Yazoo #6 6 years ago

    HARRIS!

  • HairyArse #7 6 years ago

    Oi that ROFL HARRIS joke is mine!

  • davyuk #8 6 years ago

    Thank crumbs we have PGR3 at launch.

  • Kiigan #9 6 years ago

    Ridge Racer 6 on Xbox 360 looks and feels like a port of Ridge Racer PSP.

    Honestly, that's all I want. A slightly spankier take on Ridge Racers PSP. That's be fab.

  • cardboardMonster #10 6 years ago

    "Now, add some bump-mapping and specular effects to the track, creating the impression of a pock-marked tarmac that shines under the heat of the sun; add a large number of trees, buildings, and other sundry sights and sounds to the background vistas; add a few more of those sparkly effects and make sure the helicopter looks really detailed; and of course bump up the texture quality."

    "the resolution is high and the draw distance is immense, so you can always see lots going on and always to a greater degree of fine detail than you're probably familiar with."

    Sounds very fugly. Add in the classic gameplay (no, it hasn't changed much) and what's the problem? If you can't fully isolate what the problem is without resorting to the likes of "atmosphere" or "wow factor", please sit at the back of the class and consider some useful adjectives.

  • Yazoo #11 6 years ago

    Oi that ROFL HARRIS joke is mine!

    Heh, I'm new around these parts, couldn't resist. I also had no positive comment on RR6 to contribute (unfortunately) :p

  • tengu #12 6 years ago

    Whining from Xbox fans at EG? zomg ZOMG!

  • Scimarad #13 6 years ago

    So, Eurogamer should just say they love it regardless of what they actually thought, then? Or maybe they should have said they hated the MGS 4 presentation, would that have made you happy?

    I really like Ridge Racer on the PSP, so if they can do a really, really technically impressive version of that I'll be impressed.

  • Chtulie #14 6 years ago

    So better to stick with Outrun 2 then? Same over the top sliding around corners, but at least it has imagination in it's gaming modes and personality with the visuals.

  • Dizzy #15 6 years ago

    >Another typical day at the office for EG: big up a PS3 tech demo, diss running code from 360 bound games - even on the mightily impressive PGR3.

    Actually there definitly is a trend in that direction here at EG. It used to be very different 1 year ago.

    Has RR ever introduced new ideas? I don't think so...

  • HairyArse #16 6 years ago

    Another typical day at the office for EG: big up a PS3 tech demo, diss running code from 360 bound games - even on the mightily impressive PGR3.
    EG, how much do they pay you for this?
    They don't get paid for this, they're unbiased. Trust me.
    Edited by 1 at 19/09/05 @ 14:18

  • Eighthours #17 6 years ago

    Another anti-360 article from EG? Who'd a thunk it? ;)

    Honestly guys, there is a reason why you keep getting grilled for this! In the last few months, you've gone from the most unbiased site on the web to an absolutely hilarious one-sided view of things, to the extent that you're STILL arguing that the Killzone vid is real when everyone knows it's about as authentic as Jordan's tits...

    It's "boy who cried wolf" time. You may be rght about RR6, but you've nailed your colours to the mast too firmly for such opinions to be accepted on face value anymore. Which is a shame. It'll certainly be very interesting to see your reviews of the 360 launch titles...
    Edited by 1 at 19/09/05 @ 14:20

  • tengu #18 6 years ago

    zomg!

  • tonynibbles #19 6 years ago

    For fucks sake why are people such arseholes. This was a great article from someone who is a true Ridge Racer Fan, It higlighted key gameplay issues and had good words for the visuals. Its not like there are any PS3 games to playtest right now so I dont think its unfair if a bunch of soon to be released 360 titles just happen to so far not be outstanding when demo'ed.

  • Freek #20 6 years ago

    They are making a big deal out of it becuase it's METAL GEAR SOLID 4 (There's already three articles up over at IGN.). A highly aniticipated title that looks stunning.
    Ridge Racer 6 does not.

    It's that simpel. It has nothing to do with bias or some sort of elaborate conspiracy; some games presented at TGS look cool some do not. That has nothing to do with what platform they are on.
    Get over it.
    Edited by 1 at 19/09/05 @ 14:52

  • smelly #21 6 years ago

    The problem is, the blinkered fanboys think everyone is as sad as they are.

  • Stickman #22 6 years ago

    "It doesn't feel like the kind of game we'll be sitting around in pubs eulogising five years from now ."

    GEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK!!!

  • Scimarad #23 6 years ago

    "It's only a freakin' trailer FFS. I don't see other gaming sites making such a big meal of it.
    And if we're talking about getting excited about games, should't it be about stuff you can actually play or get a feel for what the game will be like? Instead of visually impressive, but content-free vids?"

    Last time I checked, we didn't decide to get excited by stuff, we just got excited or didn't without having any choice in the matter. I found the MGS trailer pretty exciting and you didn't. So?

    Edited by 1 at 19/09/05 @ 14:31

  • Scimarad #24 6 years ago

    Because quite a lot of people would want to know what RR6 is like?

    Besides, I would be very suprised if reports of those other games weren't forthcoming fairly soon. Seriously, you people need to calm down a bit...

  • tonynibbles #25 6 years ago

    I thought it was pretty exciting technically and visually, that's not the point I'm trying to make.

    o_O

    You're actually there then?
    I thought the article stated Namco hadnt released any screenshots.... Or are you talking about MGS4?
    Edited by 1 at 19/09/05 @ 15:12

  • tonynibbles #26 6 years ago

    Ahhhhhh...

  • PES_Fanboy #27 6 years ago

    I'm unbiased with my choice of console, but even I've noticed the swing of favour to PS3 of late, which is odd considering I'm gearing myself up for 360 due to it being just around the corner.

    Don't get me wrong, I'm excited about PS3 too, it's just further away an' shite

  • Xavier_B_OXford #28 6 years ago

    I think Eurogamer owes us Xbox fans an apology for this story! You had the NERVE to praise Metal Gay Solid 4 and then turn around and criticise THIS? You sicken me!

    Ridge Racer 6 is on the Xbox 360, and therefore a faultless MASTERPIECE of videogaming! If you're going to say a PS3 game is good, then you OWE it to us Xbox kings as fair and impartial journalists to say that this is excellent also, whether it is or not. Understand? Good.

    I refuse to acknowledge any story which paints the Xbox 360 and it's games in anything less than an utterly PERFECT light, as that's what the console is going to be, because it comes out first. End of!
    Edited by 1 at 19/09/05 @ 18:17

  • OrokuSaki #29 6 years ago

    What's the problem, its like the Psp game ,a few new features except on better hardware. Sounds good. Did anyone expect anything other then RR but slightly better ? I didn't I'll buy it.

  • cardboardMonster #30 6 years ago

    Lol look at you, hypocrite. Since when did comparing MGS4 or any other games come into it? Given that PSP Ridge is lauded as THE title to own, it would have been nice to know why this isn't shaping up well, at the very least. All of the demo pods appeared to be in some sort of time trial mode, hardly a fair assessment of an arcade racing game's "atmosphere", "wow factor" or whatever.

  • dllord #31 6 years ago

    "LeDilettante" I don't have time to calm down, I'm writing a report to Bill G as we speak...

    LoL! You crack me up! LoL!

  • #32 6 years ago

    There's a sense that Namco's turned up, but it's copied its homework

    Could the Japanese be more enthused about the 360?!?!

  • Netfreak #33 6 years ago

    " think Eurogamer owes us Xbox fans an apology for this story! You had the NERVE to praise Metal Gay Solid 4 and then turn around and criticise THIS? You sicken me! "

    Haven't you heard? Eurogamer are suckers for cutscenes.

  • AtomicBanana #34 6 years ago

    since when did ridge racer ever be imaginative or even pretty.

    ^^

    It was called Ridge Racer 4.

  • #35 6 years ago

    i agree that the site seems quite biased towards the PS3, which is strange considering how close we are to the 360's launch.

    the TGS coverage was especially strange, given that most of the articles focused on sony or 360 bashing, when most of the other sites commented that sony was conspicuous by their absence by and large.

  • #36 6 years ago

    poor arnie.
    Edited by 1 at 20/09/05 @ 11:27

  • admir #37 6 years ago

    racing games suck if u played Ridge Racer on ps1 ( which was good) u played it on the x360 all namco did is making it look pretty

  • Kengro #38 6 years ago

    Aw hell... Another Ridge Racer... Why... The 360 is gotting it's fair share of GOOD racing games around realese time, this i'm pretty shure won't be one of them. I don't see a way for this to match PGR 3. Test Drive or Need For Speed, it will most likely be way beoynd those and a waste of money