Review for Highway Pursuit

[Pager]

What Highway pursuit manages to do well is create a world of speed by providing crisp graphics, which don't stutter in the least. It employs a good frame rate algorithm that increases in speed as the car itself speeds across changing sceneries and country sides. Even the roadway will change depending on the area you are driving through, paved roads for more populated areas and sand for the desert. Each roadway is complete with its own effects, like dust from the rear of the car as it speeds across the sand. Complete with a catchy soundtrack that will have you moving and shaking in your seat as you race for your life.

Using simple arrow commands to control the speed and steering of the car (up for accelerate, left and right to turn), gives the game a simple feeling. This allows the user to focus more on the weaponry instead of having to try and remember where the brakes were. The controls are fairly responsive although the car does not stop on a dime, in also doesn't provide any lag when all of a sudden pressing the brake in a sticky situation.

Scoring high is generally based on blowing up your enemies on the roadway (points are also awarded for distance traveled, but kneel in comparison to points gained by force). Enemies range from opposing automobiles that work together to attack your car, as well as flying enemies such as a helicopter which drops explosives on your car from above. Killing multiple enemies in a row will earn you multiplier bonuses. But watch out, you also have to remember that you're not just sharing this roadway with bad guys, you also have the innocent civilians trying to get to wherever you they are going, no points netted for blasting one of these off the road, and you will also lose your multiplier bonus.

An interesting effect in the game is when an opponent is terminated on the roadway its shell is left smoldering where it had exploded. It even uses some of it's momentum to continue traveling for a while before coming to a complete halt. In the beginning this was fun, a sort of, 'take that!' exclamation, as you speed past the burning hull. But after a while, as the enemies began piling up, it becomes a little of an annoyance, as you seamlessly plow into these wasted foes destroying your own car.

But this is a small factor when looking at the larger spectrum. If you plan it just right you can use those burning masses to cause damage to your enemies. You can also use various objects like boulders, guardrails/barriers and tress for the same effect. Literally everything on the road can be used as a weapon. But keep in mind, the enemy will use those objects against you as well.

The environment is not the only weapon you can use. HQ also provides a weapons truck that can equip you with either oil, smoke screens, or rockets. The truck usually waits on the side of the road as you pass. There are a few times while you are driving at incredible speeds, you'd wish that truck would figure out how to match your speed before you get to it. Unfortunately, you will need to slow down before the truck begins chase. Now docking with this truck as you speed is no easy matter, anything can go wrong. On a few occasions the truck has closed its rear door just as soon as the car was about to dock, and even worse when an enemy plows into your car from the rear causing you to collide with the truck ending your game.

But no one ever said the life of a secret agent would be easy. That's just one of those factors you need to take into effect while playing this game. The fast paced game play, the catchy tunes, and the responsive controls, combine to make this game an enjoyable experience, which more than makes up for the frustration of the obstacles.

Pros: +High Speed Action
+Controls are smooth, no wait time or lag between keystrokes.
+Good physics
+Catchy tune

Cons: -Docking with the weapons truck

Rating:

Playability: 5/6
Idea Rating: 4/6
Technical Implementation: 6/6
Graphics: 6/6
Music: 5/6
Extras: 4/6

Overall Gaming Experience: 5/6