CART Flag to Flag
- January 01, 2000 00:00 AM PST
In the battle of racing games for the Dreamcast, Sega Sports' Flag to Flag tries for the pole position against the venerable Monaco Grand Prix.
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Not Competition, Not Companion
Flag to Flag doesn't hold up in direct competition with MGP in regards to simulation options or the difference in tracks -- FtF's are mostly from the U.S. and MGP are strictly international. Flag can't serve as a companion to MGP either since the feel of the game play is also very different. To put it simply, Flag is the easy-to-play arcade race game, while Monaco is the deep, hard-to-learn simulation. Flag to Flag does offer lots of fun with a fairly comprehensive set of drivers, two different race modes (Arcade and Championship) and a hearty selection of 19 different tracks.
Flag to Flag's tracks (including two from Canada and two international ones) are not nearly as nice to look at as MGP's international circuit. Come on, which would you rather see -- the beautiful, beach front architecture of the French Riviera or Cleveland's Burke Lakefront Airport? The cars aren't as smooth looking either, and don't react to collisions as well as they do in MGP. Instead of an occasional high speed flip from bad driving, you can just smash into a wall at 200mph and stop dead in your tracks like a tank.
Simulation, Schmimulation
Besides not looking as good as Monaco, the controls are also less responsive (and MGP's already seemed sluggish). Beginners will experience a lot of wall banging, and the limited car interaction and crash animations are rather boring. There's also a lack of clear visual representation of speed. The limited backgrounds don't really give you the sense of changing from 50mph to 200mph, but your ability to turn will surely act differently. The cars don't steer well while applying the brake, so it takes quite a while to get the hang of braking before a turn, coasting, turning through it, and then accelerating.
You do get the option of lots of tinkering with your car and plenty of pit stops much like MGP, but if you want realism go with that game. Flag to Flag is missing a lot of the small graphical details that hardcore racing enthusiasts live for.
As for the soundtrack, Flag to Flag's music makes you realize why MGP decided not to include any. It's ultra-repetitive and rather lame racing music-and the race effects don't sound that interesting either.
Making the Decision
If MGP's difficulty has kept you out of the racing market, then Flag to Flag is your choice. The ease of game play offers instant success and rewards (instead of frustration and last place finishes), but may become too easy as you continue to play. When you strip the tires from these racers you'll find that the Dreamcast has a title to fit everyone's needs.
