The Force is strong with Racer, which succeeds as both a racing game and a Star Wars game. There really isn't a lot of competition for Star Wars: Episode I: Racer on either front. The driving genre hasn't had a lot of hits in the past few months, and the only other Star Wars: Episode I game is the disappointing Phantom Menace. But even if Racer had to compete with a host of other good titles for your interest, you'd still want to head over to Tatooine and suit up for the Boonta Eve classic (that's Star Wars talk for getting in gear for some pod racing). Racer is a fast and fun racing game, one that evokes memories of the PlayStation hits Wipeout and Wipeout XL. It has a little Star Wars flair to add to its appeal, but the pure racing action alone is enough to make this game a rewarding experience.
Racer's best feature is its speed. The tracks streak by at a quick pace, especially in tunnels, canyons, and corridors. The illusion of zooming through circuitous levels at 500-plus miles per hour is conveyed quite successfully. It's a sensation that I haven't felt since playing Wipeout on the PlayStation, and I think it's this similar evocation of speed that made me like this game initially. Then I discovered other things about the game that reinforced my positive opinion of Racer. I like that there is an appreciable difficulty curve in the game. The beginning amateur circuit is quite easy, and you'll feel really good about yourself as you race to the number one position in race after race. However, once you move up to the semipro and then pro circuits, you'll find that the other racers are more aggressive, the tracks much more treacherous, and the races just plain harder. Take it up a notch to the invitationals, and you'll notice the racers always taking the shortcuts and really banging into you and leaving you in the dust.

The Force is strong with Racer, which succeeds as both a racing game and a Star Wars game. There really isn't a lot of competition for Star Wars: Episode I: Racer on either front. The driving genre hasn't had a lot of hits in the past few months, and the only other Star Wars: Episode I game is the disappointing Phantom Menace. But even if Racer had to compete with a host of other good titles for your interest, you'd still want to head over to Tatooine and suit up for the Boonta Eve classic (that's Star Wars talk for getting in gear for some pod racing). Racer is a fast and fun racing game, one that evokes memories of the PlayStation hits Wipeout and Wipeout XL. It has a little Star Wars flair to add to its appeal, but the pure racing action alone is enough to make this game a rewarding experience. Racer's best feature is its speed. The tracks streak by at a quick pace, especially in tunnels, canyons, and corridors. The illusion of zooming through circuitous levels at 500-plus miles per hour is conveyed quite successfully. It's a sensation that I haven't felt since playing Wipeout on the PlayStation, and I think it's this similar evocation of speed that made me like this game initially. Then I discovered other things about the game that reinforced my positive opinion of Racer. I like that there is an appreciable difficulty curve in the game. The beginning amateur circuit is quite easy, and you'll feel really good about yourself as you race to the number one position in race after race. However, once you move up to the semipro and then pro circuits, you'll find that the other racers are more aggressive, the tracks much more treacherous, and the races just plain harder. Take it up a notch to the invitationals, and you'll notice the racers always taking the shortcuts and really banging into you and leaving you in the dust.