Hardcore 4X4
PlayStation * ASC Games

Review by Michael Vafeas
6.0

It must have seemed like a good idea at the time. After all, the power of the PlayStation could, in theory, be harnessed to provide a great off-roading thrill, right? Unfortunately, Hardcore 4X4's faults are more than skin deep, and idiosyncrasies by the dozen are embedded deep within the programming code and serve to provide a disappointing off-roading experience.

We are approaching a point in time in which sloppy graphics are just unacceptable. True, many a great game has been masked by scenery that is unimpressive, but such is not the case with Hardcore 4X4. The graphical nuances of the PlayStation (which several companies have already found programming techniques to avoid) are not only all present in Hardcore, but they are all quite noticeable. The terrain appears to be made up of millions of indistinct pixels, and the grainy overall appearance of the game shows a severe lack of care in the graphics area. Pop-up makes a guest appearance on all the tracks, but is not as bad as some other efforts. As well, polygon stitching is at an all time high and makes some tracks appear like film from an old movie, with flickering lines scattered about the screen. All these unappealing visuals are gloriously presented in a frame rate in which slowdown is the rule, not the exception. Most of the game runs at a choppy rate, but stretches of smoothness do appear once in awhile. While one might be able to excuse such deficiencies in the face of visuals that are well-conceived and interesting, it must be said that the artwork in Hardcore is only average, and the dull tracks are mostly composed of pixelated bumps. Some areas, however, feature buildings and other structures yet to be found in any racing game, which adds a hint of interest to the otherwise monotonous tracks. Overly problematic is the camera, which trails the truck a little too well. The camera outside the vehicle is bearable, albeit still a bit too motion-prone for my tastes. The vomit-cam (inside the truck) bounces wildly and not only makes you queasy but makes the already difficult task of finding the road almost impossible. The graphics in this game seem to have been on the right track sometime during the development of the game...if only they would have finished the job. Even the unclear company logo graphics scream 32-bit mediocrity.

The sounds of this game also seem unfinished and less impressive than most other 32-bit offerings. The music is an uninspired, monotonous mix of generic metal tunes. The sound effects are decent, even though they don't add much to the game at all. The announcer is one of the worst that my ears have experienced in all my gaming years. Just think of a male lounge singer being forced to say unfamiliar (and outdated) expressions such as "Whoa, Hardcore" and "Cowabunga", and you have some idea as to how utterly ridiculous the announcer sounds. Again, a valiant attempt, but more effort was needed.

The gameplay is fair, but some serious programming nuances keep the game from being realistic --- and enjoyable. Unfortunately, the game is plagued by unforgivably inaccurate physics and driving mechanics. The feeling of the truck bouncing over the uneven terrain seemed too heavy to be accurately representative of the real world. The ability to adjust steering responsiveness was definitely a good inclusion in the game. There are a variety of tracks and modes of play in this game, but the plain truth is that the game itself is not much fun to play. The AI is below average, and accelerating miles past your opponents isn't a rare occurrence. The laps around the track are reduced to tests of endurance in which you simply see how many different ways you can see your truck bounce pointlessly. Though this game offers mild thrills and the fun of riding on an off-road course, it proves to be more tiresome than entertaining. This is unmistakably the result of rushed programming and a focus on deadline, and the finished product demonstrates this. With some tweaking, the game could have been much more enjoyable, but in its present form remains an unfinished effort with little value for those who adore quality products. Maybe next time, guys.


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