No doubt some of you remember OutRun2 SP, released in the arcades after OutRun2. There are another 15 tracks to take in, plus the slipstream feature which lets you suck up some extra speed by lurking in the wake of the vehicles in front. If you find yourself in the unfortunate position of crashing your car, SP does not penalise you as harshly as OutRun2. It's also far harder to run off the side of the track, which is ultimately beneficial in completing stages. If you want more of a challenge, there is a greater selection of Heart Attack short tasks in this part of the game. There are three stages with three different girlfriends to impress. Each will ask (or tell!) you to do increasingly harder tasks on gradually more dangerous sections of track. Your goal is only reached when you get a Triple-A ranking. If you would rather challenge yourself on certain skills, like drifting or racing, then there's the option to do this too with the four Flagman mission modes. The game also offers some tasks that are extremely funny, such as dodging UFOs and falling meteors. There is also the option to play either the arcade game, or the arcade game's Heart Attack mode. An added bonus is the emulated version of the OutRun2 SP arcade machine available outside the main one-player mode. There is also a shop, which has various types of Ferraris, differing versions of all the tracks, and new music available to buy. These are all unlockable by earning OutRun Miles, something amassed in every single thing you do throughout the game.
Graphically, OutRun 2006: Coast to Coast for PS2 is better than we expected. Although it certainly plays second fiddle to the higher resolution of the Xbox version, it still looks good and does the title justice. The frame-rate only slows down on the more difficult parts of the SP sections. The cars and backdrops are rendered well, giving the game a real arcade feel, which is of course what developer Sumo intended. The cars are easily recognisable, the scenery is clearly depicted, and the choice of backdrops seems to fit the game like a glove. Admittedly, the control system on the PS2 version does take some time getting to grips with. However, once you have mastered the analog controls, it's not too long 'til you're taking corners like Michael Schumacher in his pomp. You can also use the D-pad and even adjust its sensitivity to suit your own tastes. In this aspect, developers Sumo Digital really has catered for everyone's personal preferences. The loading times are also quick for the PS2, so there's little waiting around. It must be said though, that the music is still completely crap. Yes, it stays faithful to the traditional OutRun formula, with gamers able to select classic OutRun music from their radio console, but this really doesn't work at all, and this writer feels some driving songs, such as 'Born to be Wild' by Steppenwolf or Deep Purple's 'Highway Star' would have worked far better.
If you're a fan of the OutRun series, then you will certainly not be disappointed with Sumo's latest effort. Both OutRun2 and OutRun2 SP are enjoyable arcade ports that don't pretend to be anything more. They follow the classic OutRun formula and are great fun to play on your own or with a few mates. Graphically, the PS2 version does lack the overall quality of its Xbox counterpart, but still looks pretty good. The controls do take a little time to get used to, but once that's sorted, you'll be flying. The worst part of the game is definitely the music, but you can always hit mute and put your own tunes on to overcome this problem. Overall, OutRun 2006: Coast to Coast is a very enjoyable game, a no-brainer racer that's suitable for all the family. However, if you're looking for a thrill racing game with a little more substance, try Burnout. Arcade racing fiends among you will undoubtedly be in heaven.
SPOnG Score: B-
With OutRun 2006: Coast to Coast, Sumo has undoubtedly remained faithful to the OutRun series. A game that is fun to play and will certainly arcade veterans reminiscing about the good old days! Still not sure about the soundtrack though...
cashton2k 2 Apr 2006 21:11