Developer: Probe Publisher: Acclaim Released: November 17, 1998 Genre: Racing
Extreme-G was a valiant first attempt at a futuristic racer. It had its flaws, some pretty significant, but many were able to overlook them to experience its content. Now granted as a N64 owner in 1997 it is not like you were spoiled for choice but I digress. Extreme-G 2 finds itself in much the same position. But in this case at least the core of its experience is stronger. If you can deal with its flaws Extreme-G 2 is bursting with content and one of the stronger Nintendo 64 racers.
Extreme-G 2 follows the tried and true sequel formula of more, more, more. There are twelve tracks with three variations each for a staggering total of 36 courses. These aren’t simple palette swaps either; while the same environment the layouts are completely different or are in new areas. Weapon selection has been expanded to twenty and the game now announces each one so you know what it does. The game is so proud of its weapon selection there is an entire mode dedicated to it, Arcade. The number of bikes is also larger at ten initially with another thirteen unlockable. Add to that the numerous single and multiplayer modes and you have a well-rounded package.
All the content in the world means nothing if the gameplay is terrible. One of the areas the original Extreme-G suffered the most was its controls. The bikes were too fast and the handling too rigid meaning you spent most of the time crashing into walls. Extreme-G 2 is significantly better in that regard. Although all drivers differ in their stats the general controls and handling are better all around. Navigating tight turns at high speeds has never been easier and goes a long way toward making the game more playable. The tracks are also wider both to compensate the number of racers but also to avoid the constant wall crashing of the original. Even though the game technically has a higher top speed than its predecessor it doesn’t feel like it in practice. That works in the game’s favor when it comes to the controls.
The improved controls do come at a cost which is the game’s most divisive element: its framerate. For the most part the framerate is solid even with eight racers on screen. Once weapons enter the picture it takes a massive hit and gets pretty low. The lighting effects and explosions are the main culprits in making the fps take a nosedive and someone should have noticed and dialed them back. It isn’t uncommon to hit a mine, the screen goes completely white for a few seconds and somehow you are driving in reverse. It affects most modes in the game with the exception of Time Trial for obvious reasons. There is no getting around it, this should have been fixed.
It is a shame the framerate gets in the way of the gameplay. Even beyond the content the game has there are a wealth of fun cheat codes and unlockable content. There is no rubberbanding which makes the single player mode (extreme contest) a challenging yet fun contest. You can remove the fog that hides the pop-up although I don’t recommend it. XXX mode lets you exceed the speed of sound which is…..bonkers to see in motion. There is an experimental overhead view that is interesting but a novelty at best. The best is Tron Mode which makes the game resemble the Disney movie of old. Most racing games back then wish they had a fraction of Extreme-G 2’s content.
Probe has done a good job of cleaning up the graphics. The textures are less blurry and the excessive fog that hid the bad pop-up has been pushed back. With the increased draw distance you can appreciate many of the finer details in the game’s imaginative worlds. There are more moving parts and track side elements such as indigenous wildlife and flying vehicles. The lighting effects outside of their effect on performance is stellar with lens flares a plenty and multiple light sources. Some of the courses can still be a little confusing in their layout but overall I like the graphics. The music is less bombastic than its predecessor and more ambient; honestly I forgot it was there most of the time. Take that as you will.
In Closing
This is a tough one to sum up. Extreme-G 2 has more content than the vast majority of its competition that generation. But the framerate and its impact on gameplay is divisive. I was able to adjust but fully acknowledge that many will not be as accepting. Where the first game was alone in the futuristic racing field on Nintendo 64 Extreme-G 2 had to compete with Wipeout 64 and F-Zero X. I like the game and all but would still recommend those two first.
