15-Aug-2001 Sparky little racing number Codemasters previously invented a whole sub-strand of racing game with Micro Machines; the plan view racer. Strange, considering its popularity, how other developers have not copied the project. Now UDS have created a Rolls Royce plan view racer, clad in a quirky exterior.In Ignition, you take one of six dinky vehicles; ranging from a VW beetle to a school bus, and race them around several winding tracks, set in mountains, canyons and jungular regions. The tracks are created from polygons, giving the plan view an arresting sense of elevation. The design makes the most of this by switching back the tracks onto themselves, taking the player higher, then presenting them with huge jumps.The graphics have great character and lots of inventive effects, from animated obstacles to weather effects. Several optimising options are offered, but tend to slow the game without the aid of an acceleration card.Six players can play off a single disc over an IPX TCP network, but there is no internet provision. The game also has a tendency to crash unpredictably in the lowest resolution.
Ignition initially looks fantastic, and plays excellently, with simple but fluid controls. After a while you realise there isn't a great deal to it. The network option is always a laugh, but for single players there's only a week or two of gameplay here.
Copyright 2006 - 2009 Future Publishing Limited, Beauford Court, 30 Monmouth Street, Bath, UK BA1 2BW England and Wales company registration number 2008885
