Wave Race: Blue Storm

With a title like Wave Race, I simply cannot go to far without saying something about the water effects; after all they're an integral part of what makes this game tick. Put simply, if you thought Wave Race on N64 had good water effects, you're going to be blown away by Blue Storm - it's quite simply stunning. Examples of this brilliance include the opacity of the water actually changing along with the waters depth, and the huge waves that swells and surge across the sea based tracks. Equally impressive is the way that when a rival jet ski speeds past you, they actually leave a wake behind them which adversely effects the handling of your craft, and don't forget the real-time weather effects that regularly change mid-race! Heck, the graphical quality and attention to detail is so great that the degree of reflection cast on the waters surface by objects and light sources actually changes depending on the angle of your perspective. Also remember that despite this level of graphical detail and sheer quality, Blue Storm runs along at a constant 30 frames-per-second, even in 4-player mode, and has no pop-up what so ever - quite amazing!

In terms of challenge and depth (no pun intended!), Blue Storm offers an excellent learning curve that is backed up by quite a stern challenge, even for a skilled racer. When you start to play you have access to five tracks, each with its own unique setting and hazards. However, as you complete the various championship events you can unlock three additional tracks that'll challenge your skills even further. To add even more longevity to the proceeding each track features numerous shortcuts and alternate routes, plus if you're a real expert you can even perform a range of outrageous tricks as you race. Wave Race: Blue Storm also features eight playable characters, each with their own strengths, weaknesses, statistics and even voices! Plus it's worth mentioning that a few of the character make a welcome return from the N64 version of Wave Race, and as such should be instantly recognisable to gamers who've played the original.

Wave Race: Blue Storm really is an excellent game, boasting a perfect balance of top-notch graphics, superb gameplay, a great learning curve and the kind of playability that'll have you saying 'just one more go before bed' long into the night! Oh, and with regard to the question posed in the opening paragraph; Wave Race: Blue Storm is actually better than its N64 predecessor, which is high prise indeed!

There are two factors that make this game what it is - the water and the weather.

The water effects are superb. The graphics make it look like the real thing and the physics make it feel like the real thing. As you progress through the game and the conditions get worse you will find yourself fighting a battle just to stay on track as the realistic water movements affect both yourself and the bouys you have to negotiate. And if you get caught on the wrong side of a wave or in the wake of a group or other riders you can guarantee you won't be able to go where you really want to. This impresses rather than annoys though, and as you get better you learn to use the waves to your advantage.

As you progress through the game the weather effects will get worse. This is not just cosmetic though as changing weather will not only affect the waves you have to deal with, but the level of the water. Some tracks such as Aspen Lake are actually easier to negotiate in a heavy rainfall as the water level rises and covers most of the hazardous rocks. You can use the weather to your advantage in this way as you are able to select the order in which you race the tracks in Championship mode and so can choose the tracks to suit the weather on each day of the championship.

The only real downside to this game is the small number of tracks, especially as some of them are taken from the original game. I would not let this put you off though, as each is well designed and beautifully detailed, with everything from trout in Aspen Lake to Killer Whales and falling ice in the Arctic.

in championship mode (the main mode of the game) there are 8 locales, each with about 3 variations and 5 weather settings, making for 120 different races! theres also time trial, free roam, and stunt modes, as well as the fun multiplayer! there are also many secrets and hidden routes to unlock. so this game will last you a long time.

it has good graphics, with some brilliant water effects, and a constantly smooth frame rate (ive never seen it drop, even in multiplayer). the commentary can get a little tiresome, although the sfx make up for it. the music isnt bad.

overall a great game. if you want a good (and different) racing game for your cube, then this is a good choice