MIXED MEDIA
Street racing is fast and furious in 'Midnight Club II' video game
By William Schiffmann
Associated Press
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You start off with a semi-junker, battling a fleet of other low-rent racers in the underground racing series known as the Midnight Club. You'll be running each course many times, to find the quickest way around and because one misstep means you lose.
Victory gets you everything from hot new cars and motorcycles to special tricks.
Rockstar burned a lot of midnight oil on the controls: The cars handle beautifully, sliding gracefully around corners and braking and accelerating like the real thing.
Drawbacks? The almost vertical increase in difficulty. Repetitive comments from your opponents also can get on your nerves.
Graphics get an A. This is a gorgeous game, from the dazzling night scenes to the amazing effects, such as rain or dust or the glare of street lights. The feeling of speed is better than in almost any other racer around.
Control gets another A. The vehicle physics are some of the best in race gaming; adding skills as a winner reward is a fine idea.
Sound gets a B. The vehicle sounds and music are great, but the jive commentary needs to be expanded or dumped.
"Midnight Club II," rated T (13 and older), captures the gritty, after-dark feel of illegal street racing in a beautifully realized package that's a delight to play.
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