Developer: Eurocom Publisher: Nintendo Release: 09/29/98 Genre: Racing
Cruis’n USA was our first look at the N64 hardware, at least that was what we were lead to believe. Despite the eventual misconception the future looked bright as the game was a technical marvel and going to be a launch title for the system to boot. The subsequent home port was a tremendous disappointment on almost every level and best left forgotten. Midway would not make the same mistake twice and Cruis’n World is a much better game overall. But is it good?
The World in the title refers to the game’s multinational focus. You compete in circuits around the Earth, from New York to Germany to Russia against nine CPU opponents. Each match is a race against both time and placement as you must reach each checkpoint in time and also placing at least third to continue. For the most part the gameplay is mostly the same. Two features have been added that add a bit of depth to the gameplay. You can perform stunts such as driving on two wheels, flips, and Wheelies that grant points. Reaching certain point totals grants bonuses in the game’s Championship Mode. Boosts are self-explanatory even though they do not help all that much.
When I said the general gameplay is the same I mean it. Those that have played Cruis’n USA will remember the extremely loose handling and feel. That returns and is a love it or hate it affair. On the one hand it enables even novice gamers to handle the sharp turns and corners of the game’s out there track design. But at the same time it both does not feel satisfying and is very touchy. If you so much as graze another vehicle or track side object expect to spin out, flip end over end, or come to a dead stop. The rubberbanding in Cruis’n World is very bad but not to the point of absurdity. I was frequently able to mount a comeback after a bad crash and place in the top three so at least it also works in your favor too.
The Cruis’n games have always had a devil may care attitude to their tracks and attitude. That continues in Cruis’n World as the game is goofy as hell. You can turbo boost off a hill and perform three front flips and land in front of sheep and the game plays it straight. You might even see UFOs if you pay attention. The international setting does wonders for the game’s track variety even if a few look generic and similar. Every country has elements endemic to the country and some are really cool. You will drive on the Great Wall of China, through the African Savannah in Kenya, and on the Brooklyn Bridge in New York. I do wish they were more open with alternate paths or shortcuts. This is a very straightforward game with its racing which kind of goes against its wild nature.
The various other modes add to the game’s longevity. Four way multiplayer returns and runs at a respectable framerate this time. Championship mode is a nice alternative to the standard campaign. Here the game is set up like Mario Kart with four championships of three or four tracks. You earn points for placement and tricks. Performing tricks is slick way of gaming the system and still coming in first but hard to accomplish. The tracks change slightly to allow for three laps although I still found them a bit long. My only gripe is the rubberband AI which ensures the computer is always a step behind. They are also aggressive at ramming you off the road and such. Beating this mode takes work but at least it feels fair.
For the home port a significant amount of extra content was added to the already full featured arcade mode. There are practice modes for both cruis’n the world and championship mode which is a welcome addition. While these may seem standard you can gain new cars by earning record time in the practice championship, incentivizing participation. There are thirteen more cars in addition to the nine standard options. The lone hidden track may not sound like much but it is extremely cool and I will not spoil it. Needless to say it is a hint at just how far out there the later games would go. At a time when most racing games would offer the bare minimum at least the Cruis’n series was no slouch in terms of content.
In Closing
Cruis’n World is a significant improvement on its predecessor if a bit familiar. You either like the atmosphere of the series or do not. The extra content over the arcade game and various modes give it a lot of longevity even if it is not the first racing game I would go for.
“at least it feels fair if a bit cheap.”
It’s either fair or cheap, brother; it can’t be both. You’re contradicting yourself here.
That’s a…fair assessment.