During much of the month of July, PS2 Gamers have a bit of a draught, with only five games scheduled to be released. Well, we here at GamingWorld X know that the best way to beat a game drought is by looking into the past. So, to make it easy, the staff of Sony GamingWorld has put together a genre-by-genre list going through some of the best titles in each genre, all of which are worth checking out. Spend some time dwelling in the past, because once the online system kicks off next month, all your time will be spent in the present. Today - Driving
Gran Turismo 3
by Billy Kerr
It's rare when a game comes out with so much depth and customization possibilities. But Gran Turismo 3 does more than present you with these options; it refines them into an almost perfect game. Amidst the staggering amount of driving games on the Playstation 2, GT3 stands out as one of the best, if not the best. That's why it has earned its way into this Hall of Fame.
Many gamers appreciate a classic arcade racing experience, many crave the simulation part of their racing lives, but GT3 caters to both. While truly a racing sim, it offers both a Simulation Mode and an Arcade one. The Simulation Mode is where you'll spend most of your time. For me, that time was over 200 hours. That is what makes GT3 so great. I have since then stopped playing, but every once in awhile I find myself craving for another session of GT3. If you could pick out a game that supplies you with intense, 6-hour straight sessions, GT3 would be it. GT3 gets my vote for the greatest racing game on the Playstation 2, in fact, to hell with the PS2; it's the greatest driving game ever.
ATV Offroad Fury
by Brendon Hivner
One of the better games to be released during the PS2's first year on the shelves just happens to be a racing game that very closely (almost suspiciously) resembles Motocross Madness, but has a persona all it's own anyway. ATV Offroad Fury, developed by the now-famous Rainbow Studios (who developed Motocross Madness 2 -- isn't that something?), is an offroad, four-player romp across open terrain and stadium circuits in one of several different modes of play, anywhere from career and Maxis races, to cross country and freestyle modes. There are loads of ATV's to choose from (all licensed), as well as authentic, real-world gear.
Why is ATVOF great? Loads of reasons really, but I have my favorites. ATV is one of the first PS2 games that showed off what the PS2 could do graphically, even if it was just a fraction. Gigantic environments and fluid framerate helped to top the package just right in the visual department. The gameplay was awesome, mixing arcade-style racing with a sprinkle of sim here and there; while tuning your ATV isn't required, it sure helps out if you dial it in just right. The trick system is solid, and very easy for beginners to pull off. Wide open races, and arena supercross sprints round out an already robust package chock full of tracks, each with it's own visual style and personality. And the soundtrack, ranging from Alice in Chains, to Soundgarden, to Primus, all fit the game perfectly.
And besides all of that, the game will only run you $20 now that it has been inducted into Sony's Greatest Hits line, so if you get the chance, pick this up. It's pretty, it's polished, it's fun, and it's even better than some of today's over-hyped racers. Give this game a shot; it's well worth it.
Midnight Club: Street Racing
by Adam Matlock
Before GTA3, publishers Rockstar had already had their minds on illegal activities, and their first two titles on the PS2 showed that in spades. One was the decent Smuggler's Run, but the better of the two in my opinion, was Midnight Club: Street Racing, a fantastic concept that turned into a very solid game.
The idea of street racing is intriguing is already intriguing, but throw in some very cool cars and two very cool cities to race in (New York and London), and you've got a full package. One of the best parts of Midnight Club was that it truly was open ended. You could drive around any of the two cities aimlessly, but eventually you would have to get into races - in that, you would drive around and find any of the other racers, challenge them, and tear up the streets in order to beat them. The best part was that there were few restrictions - you did have to hit various checkpoints on the way, but there was any number of ways to get there. Furthermore, each car felt different - the lowriders were distinct from the hard edged sports cars, and police cars and double decker buses could also be unlocked (among others). And of course, crashing into a truck at up to 200MPH gave a fairly sweet looking response.
Midnight Club is one of my favorite arcade-style racers on the PS2, and is sorely in need of a sequel - but for the time being, I can fulfill my fantasies of driving on the wrong side in London just by popping this one in - and for $20, you can too.
Next Time-> Fighting
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