DIAMOND SANDS in PLATINUM TIME

Contrary to popular belief, Diamond Sands is not the most difficult course in which to attain a Platinum, but it does require you to be proficient in some varied techniques.

First of all, you should be able to take out all five sections of the buildings straddling the tracks in two passes using the "traditional" method of sliding the back end of the vehicle into them. Call this the "circular method".

I also use another technique that I call the "rail method" in which you drive parallel to the tracks, then as you approach a building section, turn the Backlash nearly ninety degrees so that the hood is pointed toward the tracks and angled slightly in the direction of the building to be demolished. Just as you reach the building, turn toward and directly perpendicular to the tracks and quickly turn back toward the next building section.

You would do well to learn how to take a gas plant efficiently with the Backlash also. Do not drive into it head-on, but instead slide along the rail and slam it with Backlash's side for nearly effortless destruction.

Near the end of the level, you also need to be able to push TNT boxes with Backlash. This is fairly straight-forward, but it's also not as easy as it would be with the Ramdozer either. You’ll get plenty of practice with this technique if you can stay ahead of the missile carrier all the way to the last building.

As you read the following, note that north is the direction that the nuclear missile carrier is facing. Here’s a walk-through:

The west side of the first building should be taken out in two passes the normal way. You should be headed south toward the culvert when you complete the destruction of all five sections.

The building’s east side, is player’s choice, but I prefer the rail method because if allows you to continue driving north as you complete the destruction.

The secret to destroying building number two has not been very well kept. Both the east and west sides can be demolished using the blue gas tanks on the east side of the tracks.

Now you have enough time to continue on down the east side of buildings three, four, and five using the rail method for buildings three and four. Use the normal method for building five so you are pointing south when done. Don’t waste time with the TNT, the last building can be completely destroyed from the west side.

Drive through the culvert south of building five and barrel directly south down to path to the two sheds on the west side of building three. Slide left to completely demolish the southern shed and use the parallel method to destroy the west sides of buildings three, four, and five.

It is now a simple matter to push the TNT crates into the last building. Use the crates you’re most comfortable with, but I only use four crates of TNT: one of the two southern crates, both of the crates near the west ridge, and one inside the building to finish clearing the path and stop the clock. Platinum is 2:35. My time using this method was 2:25.5.

DIAMOND SANDS in WORLD-CLASS TIME

This has become one of my very favorite levels, but I had to work hard for my first Platinum time. Now I typically get times between 1:45 and 2:00. Incidently, a 1:35 is a full minute faster than the Platinum standard.

Here's what you need to do to get a record time:

1. If you have to backtrack after destroying a building, use the "circular method". You should be able to destroy three sections of the building with the first pass and the last two with the next pass.
2. If you plan on continuing on in the same direction after destroying a building, use the "rail method". Slide Backlash along the railroad track at about a 40-45 degree angle. Just when you get to a building section, turn in so Backlash is nearly perpendicular to the rail, then turn quickly toward the next section. You must be "active" with Backlash as you contact the building section. That is, you have to be "in the process" of turning toward the rail when you reach the building section. If you do this correctly, it will destroy the building section nearly instantaneously.
3. Destroy Building Two by sliding Backlash diagonally along the rail into the first blue gas plant. Make sure that you can make the turn to get the second gas plant. You should turn perpendicular to the wall to slide right through the second gas plant like a hot knife through butter. This will completely destroy both sides (all ten sections) of the second building.
4. If you prefer to turn the camera angle as I do, do it as you drive under the railroad track. Try to keep the same angle for both sides of the track so you can be more consistent as you move from side to side.
5. Don't bother messing with the "R button" on the sand. That's why they call it Diamond Sands, because the sand is as smooth as glass. Use the "R button" only when you need to start a slide on the road.
6. You only need two crates of TNT for the last building. Use the "Homer Simpson" method for the last section.