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Codemasters lets us all relieve our youth. At one point, Micro Machines were the “it” toy. Kids hurried to the stores to collect the new cars and amassed massive car collections, albeit very small cars. Micro Machines lets you race over 700 of these cars on a number of tracks full of peril and weapons.
Micro Machines V4 includes three race types. The game includes standard races (where you need to place first), checkpoint races (where you need to hit the next checkpoint before time runs out), and battle races (where you win by getting enough of a lead over the other guys that they “fall off” the screen). Micro Machines V4 includes 750 collectable cars split into 25 categories including gas guzzlers, concept and off-road. These cars can be acquired by playing through the game’s 75 challenges. As you collect these cars, they’re instantly available to race on. You can also look at your virtual garage and check out your collection. Micro Machines was always about collection as much as it was about racing so it’s nice to see that the game keeps that up.
The gameplay is pretty standard. The hundreds of cars have ratings for weight, grip, speed and acceleration which seem to affect them since each of the cars behave just a little differently. There is quite a difference in polar extremes but because there are so many cars, most seem average in all of the categories with the differences being very slight. This game personifies arcade racing. You’re constantly accelerating and powersliding around corners to make sure you don’t lose speed. In a bit of a twist (compared to other arcade racers) there is a real possibility that you’ll fall of the track. As you race, you can collect weapons including bombs and missiles to attack your opponents, as well as find items to heal yourself. If you take damage, the car will be noticeably slower and less responsive.
V4 includes multiplayer support. The multiplayer races are usually bit faster paced since human players are less shy about using weapons to their advantage. At times, it becomes a bit too hectic. The replay value is also increased by the game’s track editor. You can’t make your own tracks, but you’re able to design which course to take in the game’s available tracks.
The game’s presentation is less than stellar. Although there are hundreds of cars available, they are look too similar to each other with a lack of detail, geometry and dull colors. In the actual races, they look okay but it’s easy to see that they could have used better models. The tracks are better, though. You’ll race in tracks like a garden or kitchen table. The game does a good job of making you feel like you’re really racing these tiny cars when you see a massive chickens running around.
The audio is similarly unimpressive. The soundtrack is okay but nothing special. The sound effects are repetitive, though, and the cars all sound alike, which is disappointing since they manage to drive differently.
Micro Machines V4 is a fun if shallow game. The gameplay is very enjoyable since you’re racing in so many tracks and have an almost endless amount of cars to choose from. The game’s presentation could have been better and the actual gameplay could have been tighter, but it’s hard to deny this game’s appeal. Even better, the game is available for $20 on the PC. -- Jake Wilson, PGNx Media
---- Jul 6, 2006
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