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Fatal Inertia EX

• By Andrew Gori
• June 23, 2008 10:22 AM PST
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Fatal Inertia EX is kinda like a futuristic Mario Kart... only much meaner.

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Racing games will never get old, but they can get tired. That's why I really enjoyed Fatal Inertia. It combines the best elements of racing games into one, streamlined package.

For the actual vehicle being raced, KOEI made the great decision of picking a low-altitude ship that offers the freedom of flight but forces you to deal with the hazards of staying close to the ground. As with other racers and some Tony Hawk games, gaining recognition is the real goal. Winning races gets you the attention of manufactures so you can upgrade to better ships. The beginning stages of your career see you facing off against opponents who aren't much of a challenge. This gives you the chance to become acquainted with how to handle the controls. But once you've proven yourself, you gain entrance to elite races.

Fatal Inertia is more than just going in circle as quickly as you can. There are weapons and speed boosts waiting to be picked up along the race. Ranging from grappling hooks to EMP's to missiles that can be used as weapons or an extra burst of speed, you'll have to get as good at using them as you are at evading them.

There are four types of races: Melee is the closest to a normal race. All weapons and available and your job is to come in first place. Knockout uses the same principal, except after each lap, the racer in last place is eliminated. If you're still in the race for first place, expect some intensity you haven't experienced since you're first time playing F-Zero. Velocity removes the offensive weapons from our arsenal but provides you with plenty of speed boosts. This was my personal favorite because the action in this game is already fast. With some practice you can fly through courses in the blink of an eye. Finally, there's Magnet Mayhem. Instead of picking up weapons along the way, you have an unlimited supply of magnetic weapons to use at your own discretion.

Controls are always an issue, and while Fatal Inertia has its flaws, most vehicles handle like a dream. As you progress through the game, you'll get access to fast ships that can't take a hit or tough ships that accelerate slowly. While it can be fun to play around with new ships, I found the simple, run of the mill ships were the my favorites. Races demand that you be quick, agile and tough, and the basic ships seemed to work best. There are 59 courses in 7 environments, each rich with intricate details and their own hazards. All of them look great. Setting like rainforests, canyons and glaciers give this game an epic, futuristic feel. The diversity of the terrain adds to the diversity of gameplay; claustrophobic tunnels open into sharp turns that lead to open straight-aways. As for the actual vehicles, they don't look as good as they probably could. While they are futuristic, they lack the detail that is so prevalent in the racetracks. They are customizable, which is a bonus. The music and sound affects are reminiscent of older racers and works well against the game's sleek feel.

Most importantly, this is a fun game. The learning curve is gradual but the action starts from your first race and never lets up. Fans of racing games will like this title especially ones who want a little something more.

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