After a period of lean times for action racing fans on Xbox 360 and PS3, 2010 is shaping up to spoil them for choice.
In the one corner, Activision's Blur. CVG's witnessed it in Beta and - as early previews suggest - it looks very nice. One memorable section sees a supercar storm past a huge render of a docked ferry ship, which sets the detailed coastline backdrop off a treat.
Disney's Split/Second is an altogether more destructive animal.
It too looks pretty gobsmacking - but when we drive past a docked ferry during our hands-on with Disney's offering, it doesn't so much complement the scenery as SMASH RIGHT INTO THE VERY TRACK IN FRONT OF OUR WINDSCREEN.
And that, in a nutshell, is the difference between the two. In Blur, you can damage your opponents with Mario Kart-esque power ups littered about the place. In Split/Second, you can harm them with, erm, pretty much anything.
And we mean anything. The crashed nautical giant CVG sets in motion during our recent play time forms part of a wharf area filled to the brim with ridiculously huge, explosive set pieces - including a gargantuan metal tower that topples and pulverises the road ahead of us, leaving many an opponent powerless to career into it. We also see freeways collapse and unstable cranes sweep down to wreck tarmac.
Racing games fans will be pleased to hear that it's not all non-stop, choreographed carnage, however - there's a major element of strategy, too.
To set these 'Modern Warfare'-esque set pieces in motion, you have to be patient. A Power Play gauge grows throughout your race - and is boosted by sliding, entering slipstreams and near misses. It's greatly reduced when you're hit by another's attack.
The higher the blue bar in this gauge fills, the more damage you can inflict - but it rewards patience.
A floating button above those in front (or behind) you represents your chance to attack - but skilled players will wait until it's at its least opaque to cause maximum damage.
Once your powerplay gauge hits max, it turns red - and the fun really begins, as you're granted the ability yank down ridiculously huge buildings and vehicles to ruin your rivals' day.
These huge stunts actually alter the course of the race by blocking off traditional routes - making you think quickly on your wheels if you want to avoid head-on disaster.
With great power comes great destructibility, as the old saying goes, and Split/Second doesn't scrimp with these massive take-downs. The most incredible of all is still the jet, first seen at E3 2009.
Once you lock on to an opponent and call in your 'red' attack, things go quiet - until you see a smoking plane hurtling towards the track over your head.
Just as you think you've missed any hope of collision, you check you rear-view mirror and bang: The Boeing-a-like has demolished a major part of the track, sweeping up any vehicle that got in its way.
CVG only manages to get our hands on the single-player mode - and witnessing the plane's fall from grace in Split/Second's instant highlight cam is stunning enough. But to pull off this trick online would be a whole new world of satisfaction.
Speaking of online, we check out an all-new mode in Split/Second during our hour-long play through of the LA-like city that frames the game: Survival. It's obviously been built with multiplayer front of mind.
We fly around a straightforward track - all about the speed, this one - nipping betwixt trucks in frequently occurring tunnels, in a scene very reminiscent of scenes from The Dark Knight or Terminator.
However, these vehicular beasts have a sting in the tail - with appropriately-coloured barrels spilling forth from their rear. Blue means harmful collision. Red - you've guessed it - total wipeout. As the race goes into sudden death, all barrels turn crimson; and the truly skilled win out.
Survival is the most heart-racing of any of the modes we saw - and a neat twist on the usual online racing mechanic. But Black Rock tells us that you'll have to push yourself through all of the game's different modes (including race, time trial etc.) if you want to progress in the campaign - centred you taking part in a particularly reckless TV show. And with 72 events across five environments, that may take some time.
There are still a few rough edges in the version of Split/Second we witness - our Black Rock rep tells us that the visuals are still to be improved by "another 20 to 30 per cent".
And although the prospect of eight-player online and the "split screen influence of PURE", have us fairly confident online will be a winner, we don't actually witness it in action.
But with this much sheer dumb carnage - all flying by at 30 frames per second - there's little question that those craving a more beautiful Burnout have found their suitor.
As you'd expect from Black Rock, the handling is superb - while the dynamic AI is smart enough to turn up the heat when you get cocky.
Accelerating and braking is a simple matter of using the left and right Triggers - but control never feels restrictive.
Split/Second is a non-stop, intense, often jaw-dropping experience. With the slick Blur picking up its own devotees, explosive racing fans are in for a fascinating race to pole position this summer.
Split/Second looks infinitely more interesting and appealling than Blur. Even if there wasn't much to choose between them game-wise, I'd still happily choose to spend my money on Split/Second rather than give a single penny to Activision.
Yeah, Blur didn't impress me much in the beta to be consider it for purchase. Fun for a while, but it lacked the wow factor. Hopefully this can provide a more thrilling experience.
Split/Second looks infinitely more interesting and appealling than Blur. Even if there wasn't much to choose between them game-wise, I'd still happily choose to spend my money on Split/Second rather than give a single penny to Activision.
Sounds like you dislike Activision more than Blur to me ....
Remember this game may be owned by Activision by its made by Bizzare Creations, who I might remind you are UK based as well ...
If you dont want to get a game because its made by the great and evil Activision then thats your loss....
Back on Topic though looks like we are spoilt for choice ... if they are different enough I may have to get both.
Sounds like you dislike Activision more than Blur to me ....
Can't dispute that.
Remember this game may be owned by Activision by its made by Bizzare Creations, who I might remind you are UK based as well...
Sure it's good to see British devs do well, but it's no deal maker/breaker for me.
If you dont want to get a game because its made by the great and evil Activision then thats your loss....
Not at all. I already said I much preferred the look of Split/Second, and that only if I couldn't choose between the two games would the publisher become a factor. It's not some big emotional protest. I just believe that Activision are a pretty unscrupulous and unethical company, and I'd rather not support them by buying their products. Nothing about Blur makes me feel I'd be missing out by doing so.
I just believe that Activision are a pretty unscrupulous and unethical company, and I'd rather not support them by buying their products.
Fair enough ... Although most companies have that attitude these days ...
This isnt a dig directly at you ... But you dont see people boycotting Nike trainers cos they are made by ten year olds in some back end county for 2p ...
There are far greater things to worry about in the world than whether Activision is evil or not and boycotting their products ..
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