Ridge Racer 7 Review

Ridge Racer's rev up to PlayStation 3 still offers thrills but they're really, really familiar thrills.

Posted by Chris Buffa on Wednesday, November 15, 2006

Ridge Racer goes with PlayStation like Luke Skywalker goes with light sabers. The inseparable twosome has been seen making out at every Sony hardware launch dating back to the original PlayStation's 1995 U.S. debut. And this year, publisher Namco-Bandai continues the relationship with Ridge Racer 7 for PlayStation 3, a feature-packed sequel that showcases 40 unlicensed cars, 20 stand alone tracks, and the ability to customize rides using thousands of parts. The game's inertia propels it to the top of the PS3 launch heap, even though it suffers from a general lack of style.

Unlike the last two games (Ridge Racer PSP and Ridge Racer 6), Ridge Racer 7 trades the honeycomb racing grid for a fictitious world map, the goal being to dominate the Ridge State Grand Prix by winning events such as the Manufacturer's Trial, Ridge State Grand Prix, and UFRA Single Event, among others. Each of event contains a series of challenges, some involving simple point A to point B races, and others that require tracks to be completed in a specified amount of time. By completing these events, drivers earn credits that can be used to customize their rides in the game's Machine Connector mode. Parts range from Dig Dug and Dragon Saber decals to engine tune-ups, tire changes, and nitrous boosts; not the deepest of options, though Ridge Racer 7 never aspires to be Forza Motor Sport.

Like most of its predecessors (the awful black sheep, R: Racing Evolution excluded), this game sticks to its arcade roots. This means screaming around corners, activating nitrous to blow past the competition, and drifting... lots and lots of drifting. All of the cars handle differently, but for the most part, drivers will be able to guide them through sharp turns, Tokyo Drift style (the movie, not the video game). Depending on the speed traveled as well as the terrain, the cars may even catch some air; though in most cases, Ridge Racer 7's vehicles can't fly more than a foot off the ground.

Overall, the game provides plenty of high-octane thrills; in the fairly deep single player game as well as the 14 person online mode, or at least that's what the brochure says. At the time of this writing, Namco-Bandai was unable to strike a deal with Sony to allow the press to taste the game's online options, a package that contains single and team-based races, leader boards, Global Time Attack challenges, and downloadable events not found in the Ridge State Grand Prix. This review will be updated in the future with this information.

Even with all of these options, Ridge Racer 7 feels like Ridge Racer 6.5, thanks in large part to all of the recycled courses. Most of these games feature tracks from Ridge Racers past, and normally, they evoke feelings of warm nostalgia. However, with Ridge Racer 6 a mere 12 months old, having to play through the same tracks (at least initially) makes Namco-Bandai seem like one big swindler hungry for a wallet-rocking double dip (the MSRP$59.99 paid for Ridge Racer 6 and the $59.99 paid for Ridge Racer 7).

Furthermore, this game lacks the clean, attractive style of its predecessor. Ridge Racer 7's busy menus overload the senses, and Grand Prix's world map doesn't compare to the slick looking honeycomb setup in Ridge Racer (PSP) and Ridge Racer 6.

Fortunately, the graphics shine, particularly through an HDTV. Though the game looks almost exactly like Ridge Racer 6, which further blasts Sony's claims that its superior PlayStation 3 hardware trumps Microsoft's supposed inferior machine. However, the aesthetically pleasing visual showcase parades glossy cars and detailed tracks, none of which should be considered ugly.

To celebrate the arrival of PlayStation 3, Namco-Bandai should've created a much more robust and amazing looking videogame. However, consumers that never played Ridge Racer 7's prequel will revel in its nitrous-fueled gameplay, numerous challenges, and enjoyable online component. Racing down a straight away while surrounded by jungle or a peaceful seaside resort is quite a sight, one that begs to be experienced at a reduced price or better yet, a weekend rental.



Final Score: 7/10