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RATING: (weak) 1 2 3 4 5 (awesome)
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IN BRIEF
Pros: Except for the absent steering wheel, this game matches it's arcade uncle in every respect. The best home version of an arcade game yet for PS2. Cons: Instructions are a bit thin, but you'll figure things out. Single player only means having to share with friends instead of being able to go up against them head to head. In a nutshell: Fasten your seatbelt; these taxi drivers drive a lot Multiplayer: No *ESRB rating: T |
FACTS
Game Title: Crazy Taxi Platform: PS2 Developer: Sega Publisher: Acclaim Accessories supported: Vibration Release Date: 5/19/01 Price: 49.99 |
THE REVIEW by David Daniels for Gamers Today
At the risk of offending chess players, Crazy Taxi is a lot like chess. A moment to learn, a lifetime to master. As an arcade favorite you could hear this game sucking the quarters from would-be cabbies. In the best home version of an arcade game I've ever seen, you can now torment passengers from the comfort of your living room.
For those not familiar with the arcade smash Crazy Taxi, here's the gist: You are a rude, maniacal taxi driver in a city that you do not know (which increases the frustration level of trying to reach your passengers' destinations). Being from New York City, I can say this is the only part of this game based upon reality.
Drive at break neck speeds and into oncoming traffic. Bounce off buildings and take shortcuts underwater. Drive into subway stations to pick up fares, or through train tunnels if you think it may get you there faster, and definitely go airborne whenever the opportunity presents itself. The goal, of course, is to collect the fare before time runs out. Get your passenger there faster and earn bigger tips. Take too long and they'll bail out on you in the middle of the road.
When you pick up a passenger, they'll tell you where to go and a yellow arrow points you in the right direction, but not always toward the shortest route. How do you learn the best way to go? Explore the city and experiment with the shortcuts. This is where great graphics meet sweet gameplay and Crazy Taxi delivers.
The cityscape unfolds before you at amazing speed and brilliant detail. A carefully rendered city -- complete with a waterfront, stadium and heliport -- unfolds before you. Pay close attention to learn the landmarks to determine the fastest route from point A to point B. Is the Pizza Hut next to the Lighthouse or Tower Records? Knowing the answer can save you valuable time.
Some strategy is required even before you start driving. There are four different divers to choose from and each one possesses skills that may or may not mesh with your driving style. BD is the fastest, but Gus goes where you point him.
Making you learn the city is just one of the touches that sets Crazy Taxi apart from most driving games. Instead of generic driving game music, you hear tracks Bad Religion and Offspring. The game also makes excellent use of the Dualshock controller. When your hands shake from bouncing off traffic and buildings, it makes the action all the more involving.
If you like this game in the arcade, you'll love it at home. In this virtual world, know that crashing head-on into a building is a legitimate method of stopping.
*For a complete explanation of ESRB ratings, check out the official ESRB Web site.
