Originally Posted by martTM
Better listen close, friends... I don't agree with Darran very often. :p
This is the big thing that I think our man Daz has hit squarely on the head. OutRun 2 isn't a game for everyone - many of us here will revel in the constant references to the previous game (as well as AM2's other racers), delight in the sublimely simple gameplay and spend god knows how long loving the remixed music, etc, etc. Unfortunately, the majority of people out there in gaming land (say it in a whisper... the casuals. Boooo) won't get nearly as much enjoyment out of it, simply because it's a game very much rooted in the old-school mentality. Against the smash-mouth Western attitude offered by EA's school of driving (namely efforts like NFS Underground, which I thought was a complete mess) and Burnout 3 (which is currently playing an advert on my TV right now... creepy), it feels incredibly pedestrian and... well, basic. But then, it's OutRun in a prettier shell - and as OutRun fans, I'm guessing that's what we want.
Make no mistake about it - OutRun 2 is a lovely game that does SEGA proud and I will be playing it loads, because there's plenty to do in it and loads of places to 'perfect' your skills. But as for how well it'll do at retail? I don't want to make a judgement... but I suspect we won't see hide nor hair of it come the Christmas Top 10 (though hopefully, it'll definitely be in the Top 40, if not the Top 20. Hopefully).
And while I only speak for myself, I now count five people on the team (out of a possible six, not including design) who consider Burnout 3 to be a redefining moment in arcade racing history. No doubt some here may disagree, but then I'd retort by saying you haven't been playing it solidly for nearly two weeks and still can't find enough time in the day to go back to it. Sorry if that disappoints, but it's true. And I'm still only less than 50% through it. Dang.
