Xpand Rally
Gameplay 8
Graphics 7
Sound 7

Awesome graphics if you have the hardware to run it and some challenging gameplay makes this one a winner if you are a rally fan. While Colin McRae still beats it when it comes to pure entertainment but if you are a rally purist then get this.

Gameplay: Good but not for the easily bored.
Graphics: Great looking cars and tracks.
Sound: Average

Summary 7.3 Great
Gameplay 0
Graphics 0
Sound 0
Summary rating from user's marks. You can set own marks for this article - just click on stars above and press "Accept".
Accept
Summary 0.0 Terrible

Xpand Rally

Developer: Techland | Publisher: Deep Silver |Release Date: 2004 | Genre: Racing |Website: n/a | Format: CD / Digital Download

While I can’t say I’m too familiar with Techland, one thing is clear; these guys must love their rallying. Xpand Rally is a racing game that will certainly please fans of the genre and although it doesn’t seem to have any kind of official license, it’s still well worth checking out if you like the genre.

Graphics

Graphically, Xpand Rally is really stunning with awesome effects and crystal clear visuals. All this eye candy comes at a hefty price though, and those without the latest hardware can forget about seeing this game in all its glory. Even on the medium settings the game still looks good with dust billowing behind your car as it blasts through the dusty desert or skids through a dense forest.

The racing takes place in a variety of locations with variable weather and different times of the day all contributing to a unique racing experience. Small touches like seeing spectators run for cover as you approach them or the local wildlife bouncing across the track really sets the game apart. All the cars also have realistic damage effects and can get dirty after a few kilometers in the dust.

Audio & Controls
The audio was a bit low-key with little in the way of any good tunes and a navigator that gets the job done, but hardly sounds exciting. Likewise, the sound effects were functional but not really outstanding. Controls were responsive enough and there’s a wide range of settings that can be tweaked to get the most out of your vehicle.

Gameplay

If there are any bad points, it’s probably that the game is aimed more at the hardcore rally fans than casual racers. While this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it does make the game a bit less fun than something like Colin McRea 2.0. Playing in championship mode means you’ll start with a crappy car and have to upgrade and repair it after each race, which soon becomes a chore if you are constantly eating your competitors’ dust.

It takes time and patience to finish the races first and you’ll be seeing the same tracks over and over, which can become repetitive. Playing the single and multiplayer races is fun, but you are limited to the tracks that you’ve unlocked in Championship mode which, as I’ve said, takes a lot of determination. If you’re not willing to tweak default settings and spend time configuring your car for the type of race that lays ahead, you can forget about getting anywhere, so this game is definitely not for those that just want to pick it up and play.

Conclusion
While I had fun playing Xpand Rally at first and was really impressed by the visuals, it just became a chore after a while and that’s when I stopped playing. There is a heap of different races and you can even create your own tracks with the supplied editor so if this game hooks you, you can kiss a lot of your free time goodbye. How much you’ll like this game, will probably depend on how much you like the real sport.

System Requirements

Windows 98/ME/2000/XP,

P III/AMD Athlon processor with 1.3 GHz, 256 MB RAM,

Video card with, 64 MB, DX 8.0 compatible (GeForce 3 or ATI Radeon 9200),

Sound card DX 8.0 compatible,

1 GB of free space on hard drive,

DirectX 9.0c,

Windows 98/ME/2000/XP,

P III/AMD Athlon processor with 1.3 GHz, 256 MB RAM,

Video card with, 64 MB, DX 8.0 compatible (GeForce 3 or ATI Radeon 9200),

Sound card DX 8.0 compatible,

1 GB of free space on hard drive,

DirectX 9.0c,

Related posts

Radio Viscera

Radio Viscera

Radio Viscera is a top-down shooter where you wield an air cannon instead of a traditional gun. However, this doesn't make your character any less lethal as the levels are littered with traps in which you can knock your foes. The result is a bloody and over-the-top game with wacky physics and plenty of action. It is the work of a solo developer, so there are a few rough edges here and there, but overall the game is a lot of fun. Gameplay: Dodge enemies while shooting them into traps with your air cannon. Graphics: The game looks decent but not spectacular. Sound: The sound effects and music are all great.

NEKOPARA Vol. 2

NEKOPARA Vol. 2

NEKOPARA Vol. 2 once again demonstrates why this series has such a loyal and fanatical following. The artwork by Sayori is as beautiful as always and the animations for the characters continue to impress. The story is still quite lighthearted, but focusses on slightly more serious issues compared to Vol. 1. The Steam version is once again censored, but comes with a lower price point, while the uncensored version cost a bit more, but features plenty of animated H-scenes. Gameplay: It is a kinetic novel, so there are no branching routes or choices to be made. Graphics: Stunning artwork and great animations. Sound: The voice acting is very good and so is the music although most of the tracks will be familiar.

Oceanhorn: Monster of Uncharted Seas

Oceanhorn: Monster of Uncharted Seas

Oceanhorn impresses with its charming visuals and addictive gameplay while drawing a lot of inspiration from the Legend of Zelda franchise. It doesn’t quite reach the same heights as the Zelda games, but it comes very close which is quite impressive. Even more impressive is the fact that it was originally a mobile title and the developers actually put in a lot of effort to polish it up for PC. Thanks to its length, charm and polish we can definitely recommend Oceanhorn to all fans of the genre. Gameplay: More than a little familiar if you’ve played any of the Zelda titles, but still a lot of fun. Graphics: Bright, colorful and detailed. Sound: Decent voice acting and a great soundtrack.

Ravva and the Cyclops Curse

Ravva and the Cyclops Curse

Ravva and the Cyclops Curse is a 2D platform adventure that draws inspiration from the 8-bit NES era. Players must help a young summoner fight through ten levels of monsters to defeat the evil Cyclops that cursed their mother. Along for the ride are four summons that offer different abilities for Ravva to use. Some of these are more useful than others, but they add some variety to the gameplay. The game is very short but offers an entertaining experience while it lasts and should appeal to all retro fans. Gameplay: Cycle through different summons while platforming through levels filled with traps and monsters. Graphics: The visuals look authentically 8-bit, but despite the limited color palette everything remains clear and visible. Sound: Each area only has one tune, but the music is upbeat and cheerful.

Zombie Bowl-o-Rama

Zombie Bowl-o-Rama

Zombie Bowl-o-Rama doesn't look like much and to be honest it is going to be too short and easy for most peoples taste but if you enjoy casual games this one has its moments. The whole thing is based around wacky power-ups and the two-player mode is actually quite fun. You might want to wait until it is at a lower price tag however. Gameplay: More of an arcade game than anything resembling real bowling but has its moments. Graphics: Simple enough to run on virtually any PC. Sound: You'll be hearing the phrase "brains" a lot.

Chuusotsu! 1st Graduation: Time After Time

Chuusotsu! 1st Graduation: Time After Time

Chuusotsu! 1st Graduation: Time After Time is a kinetic novel that features three girls who end up living under the same roof while trying to regain their place in society. It is set in a future where aptitude tests determine your career for life and those who fail end up as worthless outcasts called chuusotsu. The game features bright, colorful visuals but the story can veer into unexpectedly dark directions. It is certainly an intriguing tale and hopefully, future installments will reveal more of the world and characters introduced here. Gameplay: This is a kinetic novel, so there is no interaction beyond reading the story. Graphics: The backgrounds are detailed and the character sprites look very nice. Sound: Both the voice acting and background music is decent.

Leave a comment

three × one =