OutRun 2006: Coast 2 Coast Comments by Tom Bramwell

Hi frod,

"Tom: did you get to play the PC version?"

It's the only one I haven't got, sadly.


Hi whoever-asked-about-Ridge-Racer-PSP!

"Tom - is it better than Ridge Racer PSP then?"

I'd say so. Much tighter structure with tons of variation and immediately gratifying.


Hi Furbs!

"Tom, one question: Alot of your beef with the 360 seems to be that its not doing anything "nextgen". In the case of Outrun we basically have a PS1 style racer but with nicer graphics. Surely thats not reaching "current gen" levels?"

Your question implies that I've marked down Xbox 360 games because they're not living up to some imaginary potential - that's not true. If a game's good, it's good. If I've complained about 360 developers not trying new things (e.g. PGR, Kameo), it's been in the context of the genre, not the platform.

Now, speaking as somebody who's played all three for stupid lengths of time, I do prefer OR2006 to PGR3 and Ridge 6, but that's nothing to do with any of their platforms. As the review says, the mission modes here are fantastic - I really enjoy picking away at them - and the core game itself is brilliant to play whatever you're doing in it. The graphics are lovely, but they're a bonus more than anything.

Also, while we're on the subject of platforms, I understand that there's a lot of loyalty to brands these days, but I've no particular allegiance, whatever you might think. I spent £300 on a PS2 once upon a time, I spent £280 on an Xbox 360 at the turn of the year, but that doesn't really mean anything to anyone except my credit card company - once they're in the lounge, they're in the lounge, right?

If anyone had asked me, I wouldn't have advocated buying an Xbox 360 at launch, and I doubt I will for the PS3 either. In X360's case, there was so much coming out on current-gen that it seemed like a lot of money to spend for what I felt were only a couple of truly worthwhile games. The PS3 will arguably have it worse - why buy Sony's latest brick and spend six months waiting for it to mature if you can buy a 360 with Oblivion, PGR, etc. and skip the waiting period?

But that's just one bloke speculating about something that's very personal to any gamer. These days I try not to editorialise on the subject of whether a console's worth buying, because I think it's better to trust people to decide about hardware on their own - I just try to give them an idea of whether the games are good. And I think OutRun is. Very. So hopefully that clears that up!

Thanks Tom. Fair points, thanks for replying, much appreciated :)

It was me, Tom! Christ, I've been here long enough. :)

Anyway - good to know it's better than RR, though it probably won't compare in terms of smoothness.

K

Kay,

Sorry! I was trying to see where I'd C&Ped the quote from and I thought it was page two, but I might have been confused. I hate the internet. Rubbish thing.

Outrun 2 is probably my fave game on the Xbox so I'll definately be getting this.

Its no Project gotham or Gran Turismo, and thank god for that as both games bore the pants off me.

Bored_Gamer, nice contribution to the thread there as usual!

/claps

I haven't been able to spot anything that's been lost in C2C compared to OR2. If anything it's smoother and prettier, as well as faster.

I just noticed that you're sliding in every screenshot. :D

Any know the System requirements of the PC version?

PC Specs not bolted down yet - but if you can play Doom3 or Half-Life 2, you should be OK.

Next Gen versions - you have to ask Sega about that one. We don't have any in the works right now though. I'm sure if the demand was there then it would be considered. I guess we'll see how well this one does first :)

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S0L
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Only a 9?

For a game that does *nothing* wrong and is w00t yay fun in the process?

Tsk.

When is the PC Version due?

I'll be buying this on Friday for my PSP, mainly because I need something new on it as I never seem to use it these days.

Have to upgrade firmware to 2.6 though?

Oh well. I think Tom and I see eye to eye on arcade racers so this review really sold it to me.

Then I had a go on the actual game myself for 5 minutes and was grinning from ear to ear the whole time :)

And Friday's pay day! YAY!!!

For those that care, GAME have this listed in-store as being BC on the 360...

Can I just ask SOL who he is exactly and what role he played in making the game? (Congratulations on making an awesome game that I'm looking forward to getting by the way)

Better than GTMs screenshots...

http://www.ukresistance.co.uk/2006/03/fao-games-tm-magazine.
html

I swore Oblivion would be the last game I bought in ages... Looks like maybe not...

I want this...
Is the PSP version online with 6 players aswell??
hmm...If so I need one of those router thingys

I hope this is 360 compatible.

Nice 360 dig in there. You really don't like it do you?

EDIT: Just read Mugwum's comments...

Outrun 2 for Xbox is £2.97 in Dixons/Curry's/PC World right now. This version, with some tweaks and new features is, what? £20? £30? Are the extra features worth the money?

it's not that I care if Tom has anything against the 360, it's just his lack of admittance about it. I'm sorry, but his explanation given just doesn't wash. I read almost every article on this site, whether it be Nintedo, Sony or XBox, and never have I seen any negative reference to another formats capabilities as often as MS and the 360 has been afforded in last few months.

Fine, he doesn't like it. Just admit and not hide behind some consumer loyalty mantra. Because the irony is, we (360 owners) are loving it, so we're being ill advised. As Mugwum says, it's all about opinions, I just don't want his shoved down my throat (almost) every time I read a non-360 related article written by him.

In other words, we get the message. You don't like it. Fine. Great. Well done.

Is no thread safe from this?

Exactly what I think. Is nothing written by Mugwum safe from a little 360 put down?

I don't see why those complaining are the problem here. It's an XBox review, nothing to do with the 360 whatsoever - why even mention it?

morriss: Where's the dig? The screenshot caption is about the fact that this current gen game looks fantastic, not that X360 games don't.

There's two other mentions of 360 in the article - "Tangible recognition of a gamer's achievements is important (and important to the player, as Xbox 360's been demonstrating)" and "The only thing that sucks a bit is that the Xbox version doesn't work on 360". Hardly negative.

Give it up. His comments above are what he thinks. You say we've been putting you wrong because you like 360 and we don't, but if you actually look at the scores that isn't the case anyway: Oblivion 10/10, PGR 8/10, Fight Night 8/10...

I wouldn't normally feed the trolls but I do think you are wrong to keep going over this.

I have PGR2, RSC2 and OR2 for the Xbox and all of them have their place in my collection. Perhaps because of the order I played them in, PGR2 got way more playtime(more than any racer I had played previously, I felt I just had to get all those medals) it was seriously addictive once you got the hang of it.

For PGR2, most of my initial impressions of it changed the more I played it, the progression system seemed so slow but it felt that much more rewarding once I had the Mercedes GTR(*silver on my first play through \0/*... although it did take me ages) . I also found that I used far more cars than usual because of this, testing a couple from each class out. The racing itself felt slow at first(untill I got to the faster cars lol I was impatient :/) but the 2xAA, the fact that it was so smooth regardless of that(it's not often the frame rate drops at all, unless there's a massive pile up and it still looks great to this day to me in some ways) made up for that, which many bitched about and turned away because "30fps suxors". That along the Live experience(not sure they would have managed 60fps online, with voice chat and 8 players)I'd say it was probably for the best because it did work really well online, infact every now and then, I find myself going back to it for a few races.

RSC2 I nearly didnt pick it up after not liking the first game, for me this was far more enjoyable and one of if not the best looking racers on Xbox or any console(prefer the look of this to Forza or GT4 personally and it was certainly no sloutch based on its technical merrits either). It was full of neat effects which werent overdone, a healthy polygon budget too, Dice really knew how to push the Xbox. The audio was the same with 5.1 on and an in car view you could hear the suspension squeek and the gravel beneath your tires(the engine and exaust noises werent bad either), soundtrack support was better than RSC1 but still not as good as PGR2. The tracks were great to rally around in... what more can you ask? there's good choice of locations too. The handling was much better than the first for me, even if it was easier it just felt more responsive when all was said and done. Online was ok but I didn't find myself going back to it as much as PGR2 but based on single player alone it was worth the £15 I spent on it, great game... I wonder how good this would look on 360 bc Im guessing the same as Crimson Skies(pretty damn impressive by the sounds of things)

Outrun2 I nearly passed on too, but I'm glad I picked it up eventually, it's just good fun, doesnt take it's self too seriously but still presents some sort of a challenge to those who look for it. Its a fast, pick up and play, pure arcade game in my eyes(exactly what I was expecting thanks to the EG review*I think*, although I was thinking that before I read the review), the camera is great(although I would have prefered to have full control of it with the right analogue to look at the cars and environment every now and then, for those "ooh look at that!" moments) and the tracks are great too, they definately make me miss Sega games a bit.

I for one want Sega to do well next-gen and Gates to realise(invest) there are many waiting for Shenmue 3... heck they could remake the first two aswell for the 360, they'd sell better with the right marketing. They seem to be making better decisions in the publishing department so far, lets see how their new inhouse games fair next gen.

Dont ask me why I took the time to write all that, I just felt like it, slightly off topic or not :p As for this game I might just pick it up at a reduced price, atleast it does offer a few changes, tweeks and additions to OR2 Xbox.

I read almost every article on this site, whether it be Nintedo, Sony or XBox, and never have I seen any negative reference to another formats capabilities as often as MS and the 360 has been afforded in last few months.

From memory the XBox 360 was released only 4 months ago, while the PS2 and GameCube were released what 4 years ago? So would it not be fair to assume that many criticisms are aimed at the 360 now because it's new on the block and so is useful information for prospective buyers, while we all know what the problems are with the other machines? In 6-12 months time no doubt every negative point of the Rev and the PS3 will be well covered in every new review.

But while we wait for the new machines to come along, nothing quite says "I love you... video gaming!" like OutRun 2006 on a 42" plasma...

@ Rauper - In the specific, I think BC is one of Microsofts biggest cockups with the 360 (the other being the HD being optional), but theres no doubt to me that the overall tone on here, especially in Tom and Ellies writing, is anti-360. I've largely stopped commenting on this, because why bother, its no biggy, would be nice if there was a bit more honesty about it though.

Regardless of some decent review scores, can you honestly say that the tone of most of the reviews, and particularly Ellies new articles, doesnt come across as very different to the far more deferential approach in articles about Ninty/Sony? The 'big fat loss' springs to mind - given Sonys recent woes the possiblities for sarky headlines have been a hundred times greater, few if any have appeared though.

And dismissing an honest opinion you dont like as trolling should be below you, unless you think you in turn are trolling for posting a contrary response.

@rauper: You've read the forums, this is not the only isolated incident, and I'm not going to go over them all again. If you think I'm trolling then fine. I'm interpreting what I see/read. I'd like to think of myself as an intelligent chap, I'm usually pretty sharp anyway and I refuse to accept what I (and others) see as clear as day that you (EG) refuse to accept. If you take healthy, and I would say, constuctive criticism as trolling that's up to you. I have no ill feeling toward Tom, you or anyone else and not once have I resorted to insults.

Oblivion was reviewed by Kristian as was FN3, so that's a moot point for starters. Tom has consistently mentioned the 360 negatively since it came out. If you can't/won't see/admit that, then cool, but as long as he continues to do it, I'll keep bringing it up.

Sorry, mate.

The next step in these threads in now usually a load of 'omfg ms fanboiz' etc. Perhaps we can avoid that this time (buying a Lite, Rev and PS3 myself, once they all appear)

^^ Agreed. I don't think I can read anymore discussions about people being fan boys. It's too depressing. Can't we all just get along..

What I don't like is someone coming into a discussion, throwing accusations around. Then not hanging around to engage in a debate. Isn't 'that' trolling?

In 6-12 months time no doubt every negative point of the Rev and the PS3 will be well covered in every new review.

Thats the main point some people are trying to make... will they treat them the same? Or make allowances because they make better excuses and better e3 hype fests?

Sony basically raised expectations too high and too early for the gullable with their pre-renderd goodness and hype, and why? because they want people to wait, they want people to foolishly think the games will look like that at PS3 launch and look at 360 games and say: "hey that snazy Killzone video looks better than this!"(and to a few that OLD Sony trick has worked :/, thankfully many have now caught on and even PS3 fanboys are taking a more realistic approach). There's a good possibility that PS3 games will lag behind 360 games throughout the whole generation in the technical aspects because PS3 development will have a steeper learning curve. Multi-processor is similar to multi-threaded but some beleive more challanging in some ways, the PS3 devkits we will have to wait on(sony arent renown for a good reputation for this so far or support for that matter) but the 360 devkits/tools and XNA are being recieved really well by devs(I wont quote them but there have been quite a few good ones which suggests its one of the best some have worked on).

All Im saying is if they come out with that "untapped pontential" lark again after the first 2 years I will be laughing , all we have so far is raw specs of the PS3 which are only marginally ahead of the 360... so pretty much even there then?, even if we foolishly ignore the architectual differences, the fact that we know how specs can change come release of new hardware and how missleading they can be or meaningless to in-game performance(Sony seem to be proud of its pre-rendering and streaming abilities though), the 360 IS more advanced though in alot of respects especially regarding the GPU, that along with the efficiency may win out in the end (who knows, lets wait and see as these machines are tested), no this isnt simply about the Unified shader architecture either, Xenos is pretty much DX10 spec(even some stuff beyond that and things you might not see in the PC space), geometry shading is possible through the use of the unique MEMEXPORT and one of the cores (geometry shaders will be in DX10 GPUs once Vista is released).

Like I said no fanboy wars here for me, lets just wait and see, I think it could come back and bite Sony this time if they dont deliver(ok no it wont no matter what they put out there the Sony Zombies will buy it *sigh*). The only critisism I have is the 360 seems alot better than some here in particular give it credit for(count me in once I get the cash).

For the record, and I want this remembered. I do not think there exists any anti-360 bias at EG. I believe they have no agenda, there is no spoon etc. Tom is the only one at EG I have a problem with. No-one else what-so-ever.

There. Just so that's clear.

Yessss, Out Run 2 was amazing, and this is even better!

@frod. It's an XBox game. It's not out for the 360, so why bring it up?

Anyway, fine. Whatever. He's done it since the console was released NOT just here and it's getting boring.

Yes, yes, before you say it. I'm the boring one.

/yawns

CAn you read frod? Anyway, fine. Whatever. He's done it since the console was released NOT just here and it's getting boring.

OK I'm sorry I'll stop.

I'll jack in my 5 year English degree as well as I obviously have no grasp of it whatsoever.

I don't remember going apeshit. I don't remember losing my rag. I never read IGN. I think you're just lumping me in with everyone else over and haven't really read what I've said in the past.

I know how some of you feel about EG though, and I know I shouldn't criticise it. It seems that's the only thing you can't criticise around here - which is strange. I criticise because I want it to be better than it is now: which is pretty damn good. I have no agenda.

Anyway, your mind is made up and you've already made your generalisations, so I doubt you even being affected by a word I'm saying is beyond the realms of possibility.

9/10 - ridiculous really considering EG complains about the lack of originality but 80s games are ok.

anyone notice how violent the 'girlfriends' were if you failed a mission. man if my girlfriend hit me the way those girls do, i'd fling the woman out of my car!

Can't wait! (It's released here on the 6th April)

I really hope this time around it sells better because the original Xbox version IMO was one of the best arcade racers I've ever played (it's a case of SUMO/SEGA just got it right). The disc never leaves my Xbox DVD drive.

Well SEGA & SUMO this gentleman is buying two copies one for the PSP and the other on the PS2, Outrun 2 on the go is just going to be fan-bloody-tastic.

Heart attack mode ftw!!!!

EDIT:
The USB link-up between PS2 and PSP games has been a bit of a joke so far; here, you connect the consoles, set both games into link-up mode, and you can transfer your actual real actual profile between systems. They're the same exact game.

Pure genious!

I've said it before and sadly I'll probably be saying it again before long, but I find Calgon the most tedious twat on this forum. An Xbox fanboy bore who pounces on the most minor of excuses to launch into his latest anti-PS3 diatribe.

"There's a good possibility that PS3 games will lag behind 360 games throughout the whole generation in the technical aspects because PS3 development will have a steeper learning curve."

You mean you HOPE it'll lag behind your precious 360 don't you? A few developers have already said that the PS3 is easier to develop for than the PS2, and some of the stuff they've managed to get out of the PS2(Which was supposedly a nightmare to develop for at the start) in recent times people simply wouldn't have believed possible in the early stages of it's life. No reason the same thing couldn't happen with the PS3. We'll see.

"Like I said no fanboy wars here for me, lets just wait and see, I think it could come back and bite Sony this time if they dont deliver(ok no it wont no matter what they put out there the Sony Zombies will buy it *sigh*)."

"I'm not going to get into any fanboy mudslinging, oh, but here's a completely uncalled for snipe at people who enjoy Playstation". Way to contradict yourself.

"The only critisism I have is the 360 seems alot better than some here in particular give it credit for(count me in once I get the cash)."

Right, so you don't actually HAVE a 360, yet you sound off like a complete fanboy knob about it every other day on here? Jesus Christ...

Sorry to the rest of you having to read this, but this guy gets on my fucking nerves. No doubt I'm now going to be labelled a 'Sony fanboy' for DARING to call him on this incessant crap(Despite me preferring Nintendo consoles, but there you go).

morriss: I wasn't trolling, I was just out for the evening. Anyway, I didn't really mean to say you were a troll... I have seen my fair share of them over the years - but I am not one either (I was here before Xbox even existed and have seen it all before so sometimes my patience is limited!).

But it's the dragging of threads into X360/PS3 arguments that is extremely tedious for most to watch and whatever you may think about previous reviews this one really has no need to go there. Also I find it slightly offensive to say that Tom (or anyone at EG) is being "dishonest" about what they are writing. Tom's views were clearly stated above and if you don't believe them that is down to you - you have made your point and it is our job to convince you otherwise, but it is time to move on...

my,my,my...

/is impressed with Calgon's crusade against Sony.

Oh well...

'The Xbox version: prettier than most 360 games, really.'

Haha! what a good joke! I *love* outrun, but to say it looks as pretty as some of the 360 games... pfft.

"Haha! what a good joke! I *love* outrun, but to say it looks as pretty as some of the 360 games... pfft."

It's more pretty than joust.

I've had a 360 since launch, it's the only console I've actually used in over a year... I _really_ like live arcade, and stream music through it every day. However I still don't see why every time it's even mentioned in passing in an article people go on this mad crusade on its behalf. If anything, the 360 was complimented in this by the mention of XBL getting it so right.

It is shit that this is not BC, it's a sad state of affairs when any Xbox game isn't. People, like me, who sold their xbox when the 360 launched want to know if a xbox game is BC in the review, so if it's not then of course it's mentioned.

*gah*

Seeing as my 360 is broken (as usual) this game might make me buy a PSP...... ahhahahahaha yeah right.

@rauper: Ok mate. I'll drop it. I never really meant to cause any offense, and if I had, for that I'm sorry. I will say I do find the amount of jibes in his non-360 realted work rather strange, but if you insist he's on the level, I guess I'll have to take yours and his word(s) for it.

I've never had an issue with the PS3, however! ;)

Anyway, the day awaits. Have a good one :)

So what version of PSP firmware does this require?

OXM US may have given the game 6 - but over here it got 9.0 in the latest issue.

Think it needs 2.6 for firmware.