Score
Gameplay:	8
Graphics:	7
Sound:	8
FunFactor:	8
PlasmaFactor:	8
Overall:	7.8

Xpand Rally Review
January 29, 2005 by Adam Gainer

by Adam - January 29, 2005

In the exciting world of international auto cross there are two options, first and last place. Xpand Rally is a game that tries to simulate real world racing and racing conditions.

Get Ready to Race

Xpand Rally is a really fun game to play. There are several different modes in which the racer can choose from: Time Attacks , Rallies , and Online Free For All Races are just some of the exciting modes that the gamer can play. Gameplay itself is very realistic; driving conditions and techniques really do change drastically from course to course. There is a noticeable difference between driving on pavement and driving in the dirt. However the track conditions don't bog the game down as much to make it un-playable, just enough for a good challenge and test of your driving skills. The cars respond well to keyboard movements and touches--it's easy to turn the vehicle to whatever degree you want in order to make sharp turns and avoid pitfalls on every course. The only problem is the difficulty in with issues of clipping, the player can drive through a shrub and not be slowed down a bit.

All the World to See

Xpand Rally is a beautiful game to play. Lighting and weather conditions appear very real and play a very important role in the game. This game has a lot of diverse tracks that look very realistic and correspond where they are supposed to be portraying. The vehicles look very detailed and they can be customized to appear how you want them to. The game does very well with course hazards and portrays them realistically, a marsh doesn't just start in one section and stop shortly after but rather pock marks a course. There is one unfortunate drawback to the effects of this game: vehicle damage looks pre arranged and fake.

VROOM !

This game does pretty well in the sound department. While there is not much music in the game the menu ambient music is well done. The actual sounds in the game are very well done. Your co-pilot will shout out directions to you and sounds like a real person. Engine noises were really recorded for this game and sound true to life. Upon customization of your vehicle your exhaust pitch will range and you can hear the clicking and whirring of a recently added turbo.

Race the Sun

This game was a challenge to play. Proper driving is really the only way to win; mastery of driving and understanding of real physics will help the gamer to be victorious almost every time. Racing for cash to upgrade your vehicle and buy new vehicles is challenging and fun to do. There is a wide assortment of cars to choose from and unlock so there is much value in continuing to play the game. Unlocking new courses also is another way Xpand rewards the player. Multiplayer is fun and seems to have little to no latency issues. The only real drawback of this game is the fact that they did not obtain the licenses for most of the vehicles--I've never heard of a Tini Hooper before.

Stack the Odds in Your Favor

This game had one of the coolest features which has been missing from most modern racing games: the ability to create your own courses. This is one of the best concepts for a game and it helps to promote the game and the community around it. You can build a course and then upload it to the Internet where other players can download it all across the world. Techland, the makers of Xpand Rally, do a really good job of supporting their game and assisting those who want to make new tracks. They sponsor contests and have available multiple download packs of levels created by team members and fans across the world. This keeps the game fresh and allows for a bunch of new different types of races to be available.

 

Leader of the Pack

Xpand Rally was a fun and exciting game to play. It was really enjoyable and a blast. The few flaws that this game had were swept under the carpet for as well as this game is put together. I would definitely recommend this game to any fan of rally racing or anyone who is a fan of PC racing games.