Today is May 24, 2020. I recently realized that my review for Music Racer was probably not written in the best state of mind, so I'm back with a good night's rest under my belt. I opened the game up in non-Legacy mode.

Grading Criteria:

non-Legacy vs. Legacy (pre 5/27/19 update)
I. Graphics
II. Gameplay
III. YouTube plugin works?
IV. Replay Value

The non-Legacy version is the version of the game made after the 5/27/19 update, which broke the game for a lot of users at first (but now it's fixed, so +1).

GRAPHICS

The non-Legacy and Legacy versions of the game differ somewhat in graphics. Both keep the same 80s synthwave aesthetic, but non-Legacy is more refined, cleaner looking, while Legacy version has a grainier look to it. Graphically, the newer version shines a helluva lot more, but if you're buying for graphics alone, it wouldn't matter which version you get. Both are amazing in their own ways. I personally prefer the way Legacy version looks, but for all intents and purposes I'm choosing non-Legacy here.

GAMEPLAY

Gameplay differs a bit between versions. The main design of gameplay is still the same; dodge the obstacles, collect the points, get to the end. The two big differences between gameplay (and the two that are deciding factors IMO) is that non-Legacy's movement is slower and more janky than Legacy version. This may be due to camera perspective, as the camera is set very close to the back of your vehicle. However, both versions suffer from a certain fundamental flaw in the game; there is very little that is engaging in terms of gameplay. I'm not kidding when I say that all you do is dodge, collect and die. Even Audiosurf 2 was more fun than this (or hell, even Auto-Staccato, which has its own problems). There is no engaging factor in gameplay. There are maps that curve up and down and do weird things, but they aren't as engaging as Audiosurf because Audiosurf added more points on the big loops, to make them more intense. This game didn't even try to add challenge. Hard Mode? Same as Normal, but if you get hit once you perish. Practice enough and you pass most Hard Mode levels with ease. And don't even get me started on the flat maps like DISTANT_LANDS or COLORFUL, or hell even FIREWORKS. The game relies almost entirely on graphics to push the value of the game, and while it works sometimes, most of the time it falls short due to GAMEPLAY. I don't like anything regarding gameplay on either version.

YOUTUBE PLUGIN

The 5/27/19 update broke the game in one fundamental way: the YouTube plugin. I do not remember specifically when they fixed it, but I know for sure it works in the non-Legacy version of the game. As for the Legacy version....the search bar for YouTube doesn't even work. Tried searching multiple times, nothing came up. You have to rely on audio files to play on Legacy. Not a problem for me, I have a sizable MP3 collection, but some people would much rather have YouTube over amassing a collection, something that takes some time. non-Legacy obviously wins here, because it WORKS.

REPLAY VALUE (basically total rating)

Would I return to this game? Sure, if it was the last game on Earth and I was starved for some sort of dopamine hit (something this game doesn't even really provide). Should you buy it? If you have gotten to this point and you still want to, go ahead. I can't stop you. But do take my words into consideration, and decide which version you would rather play on. I personally would play on Legacy version (gameplay errors on non-Legacy are something I can't overlook), but you do you, I guess. :P

4/10