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Ballistics (video game)
Encyclopedia
Ballistics is a futuristic racing
computer game
developed by GRIN
and published by Xicat Interactive
in 2001. GRIN developed an arcade version of the game, released in 2002 featuring a unique reclined seating position cabinet
by Triotech Amusement
. Players race across seven different tracks in various leagues against other competitors on high-speed hoverbikes.
The game was GRIN's first to be released, and featured the first version of their Diesel game engine
. GRIN worked closely with NVIDIA
to incorporate then new technologies into the game, and was marketed as one of the flagship titles for the GeForce 3 Series of graphics cards
.
Critical reaction was generally favourable, with reviewers being impressed by the beauty of the graphics and the thrilling depiction of speed. They were however, slightly disappointed with the shallow nature of the gameplay. A newer version of the arcade game was released in 2003, incorporating motion simulator
technology into the arcade cabinet.
. The player takes the role of a Ballistic's pilot, racing hoverbikes called speeders through the inside of tubes which form the courses. The speeders are magnetically attached to the race surface, allowing the player 360 degrees of movement along the left/right axis. The player can detach the speeder from the track and navigate down the center in order to avoid track obstacles and to acquire the power-ups exclusively located there. Players must try to follow the outside of each curve, as hitting the inside of a curve at speed could lead to an involuntary detachment, leading to a loss of control and seconds dropped in securing reattachment.
Heat levels on the speeder must be monitored, as although there are no set top speeds for the vehicles, they can explode if allowed to overheat. Heat builds up from acceleration and from collisions. To counteract this, the player may activate the on board cooler, however, this will slow the vehicle down. Designated cooling strips along the track and the Ice power-up can cool the vehicle without a speed penalty, allowing the player to continue accelerating.
Speeders have a boost meter, showing how much fuel is available for the on board speed boost. Although the boost provides greater speeds and acceleration than the standard throttle, it also increases the speeder's heat levels. Designated booster load zones along the track replenish the meter, and a super boost power-up is available which doubles the potency of the boost.
Players are rewarded with cash for attaining high speeds, placing highly in races and obtaining the Flip-Score power-up. Cash can be used in between races to upgrade their speeder by purchasing new parts. Parts are split into four categories - chassis, cooler, engine and front shield, with each affecting the speeder in different ways. Some tracks may favour a particular set-up over others.
There are seven tracks included in the game, with locations inspired from different parts of the globe, from Belize
to Tokyo
. Progression through the game is achieved by competing in and winning races against computer controlled racers spread over different tracks and in different leagues. Players begin in the Rookie league, across three of the tracks, where the chances of detachment from the race surface are decreased and rates of acceleration reduced. Success in the Rookie league unlocks the less forgiving Pro league with more tracks on which to compete. Further success unlocks the most difficult league, the Ballistics league, competition in this league occurs across every track and to complete this, the player must place first in every race.
Success in the game relies on track memorisation, fast reflexes, careful balancing of heat and boost levels, and selecting the right set-up for each track. The game is marked for its pure focus on speed, with speeds breaking mach 3
depending on the players skill. At these speeds the graphics and audio blur and distort, and have been compared with the psychedelic
vortex sequence of 2001: A Space Odyssey
. Ballistics supports multiplayer
gameplay for up to eight players across a LAN
or internet
.
methods to ensure a high standard of work, and JIT techniques to ensure the timing of different production phases came together.
The prime inspiration for the game was Formula One
, and GRIN tried to recreate the feeling of speed captured by the in-car cameras. In order to achieve a good on screen reference for the speeds attained, the track was redesigned into a tunnel, allowing the entire screen to act as a reference. Coupling this with scenes of the outdoors enabled GRIN to create "a total speed simulation". The settings were inspired by various sources, the city tracks drew inspiration from the films Blade Runner
and The Fifth Element
, other tracks took their inspiration from nature, such as the Amazon Rainforest
and snow scenes of Siberia
. Ballistics took cues from other futuristic racing games, such as WipEout
and Rollcage, emulating the fun and the speed whilst taking it even further with high end graphics.
The graphics engine
used to power the game was christened the Diesel Engine. GRIN developed this engine for flexibility and scalability, allowing the engine to be easily upgraded with new features. Based on DirectX
, this meant the engine could be used across Windows
and Xbox
platforms. GRIN worked closely with NVIDIA
to incorporate then new technologies such as pixel and vertex shaders to render complex scenes. Ballistics was marketed by NVIDIA
as a flagship title for their new series of GeForce 3 graphics cards
. The game came bundled with various versions of the GeForce 3, with distribution of the bundled game handled by Interplay OEM
. Later versions of the Diesel Engine would be used in GRIN games such as the Windows version of Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter
.
GRIN announced in May 2001 that it was working on an arcade
version of Ballistics for distribution by Triotech Amusement
. The game's gameplay had to be reworked to suit an arcade environment, and support was added for multiplayer games with up to eight linked cabinets. Triotech designed a unique reclined seating cabinet
for the game, the aim of the design was the offer the player a more comfortable and immersive experience. The inspiration for the design came to Triotech co-founder, Ernest Yale; who whilst putting his feet up on the desk, realised how comfortable the playing position was. Ballistics was released for arcades in January 2002.
The game would be updated twice for the arcade. Ballistics 2003, launched in early 2003, incorporated Triotech's MadWave Motion motion simulator
technology into the cabinet. Providing force feedback through the seat, this allows the player to experience up to 2g
of acceleration whilst playing the game, with actuator
s in the seat providing 100 movements per second. A further version of the cabinet, Super Ballistics was launched in September 2003. Chris Morris, listed Ballistics 2003 as one of the top "Video game gifts for the obscenely rich" in his Holiday 2004 column at CNN Money
.
. Reviews generally praised the high graphical standard in the game, PC Zone
described the visuals as superb and praised the use of "transparent surfaces and open frameworks to alleviate the potential monotony of racing through a drainpipe." IGN
echoed this, stating that at those moments where "a solid tunnel breaks into a transparent one", "the true meticulous nature of the courses can be realized". GameSpot
praised the graphical effects, describing them as "a psychedelic display of cosmic lighting and motion-blur wizardry".
Reviews were agreed on Ballistics successful implementation of "a total speed simulation"; PC Zone stating that "Ballistics is, in fact, the fastest racing game ever", and Eurogamer
commenting that this was a game that made "Wipeout
look like Driving Miss Daisy
". Although IGN felt that at times the "ridiculous speed actually often works to debilitate [the gameplay]".
The gameplay was less well received, and reviewers commented on the lack of depth to the gameplay and that the inclusion of only seven tracks meant the game lacked variety. PC Gamer
(US Edition) noted that whilst "the game delivers an intense, thrilling experience", this only lasted "20 minutes or so". GameSpot shared similar sentiments, stating that "Ballistics loses much of its fascination within the first few hours of playtime" and that it would only take four or five practice sessions per track to master the game.
Still, some critics found the game very enjoyable and exciting. Eurogamer closed their review stating that "when you get 'in the zone
'", "the sheer adrenaline
rush is unbeatable". PC Zone finished by stating that "Ballistics really will leave your adrenal gland
as dry as a stiffened sponge".
Racing game
A racing video game is a genre of video games, either in the first-person or third-person perspective, in which the player partakes in a racing competition with any type of land, air, or sea vehicles. They may be based on anything from real-world racing leagues to entirely fantastical settings...
computer game
Personal computer game
A PC game, also known as a computer game, is a video game played on a personal computer, rather than on a video game console or arcade machine...
developed by GRIN
GRIN (company)
GRIN was a video game developer based in Stockholm, Sweden. Founded by Bo and Ulf Andersson in 1997, GRIN has worked on numerous titles for the PC, consoles and arcade.-History:...
and published by Xicat Interactive
Xicat Interactive
Xicat Interactive was a video game publisher with distribution across Europe and North America. Xicat held several significant licenses including:Gothic, Motor Trend, Jane's Information Group and Guns & Ammo....
in 2001. GRIN developed an arcade version of the game, released in 2002 featuring a unique reclined seating position cabinet
Arcade cabinet
A video game arcade cabinet, also known as a video arcade machine or video coin-op, is the housing within which a video arcade game's hardware resides. Most cabinets designed since the mid-1980s conform to the JAMMA wiring standard...
by Triotech Amusement
Triotech Amusement
Triotech Amusement is an arcade company which was founded in 1999. They are known for their motion simulators such as XD Theater and Jett Rider. -Products:*Ballistics*Jett Rider*Mad Wave Motion Theater...
. Players race across seven different tracks in various leagues against other competitors on high-speed hoverbikes.
The game was GRIN's first to be released, and featured the first version of their Diesel game engine
Game engine
A game engine is a system designed for the creation and development of video games. There are many game engines that are designed to work on video game consoles and personal computers...
. GRIN worked closely with NVIDIA
NVIDIA
Nvidia is an American global technology company based in Santa Clara, California. Nvidia is best known for its graphics processors . Nvidia and chief rival AMD Graphics Techonologies have dominated the high performance GPU market, pushing other manufacturers to smaller, niche roles...
to incorporate then new technologies into the game, and was marketed as one of the flagship titles for the GeForce 3 Series of graphics cards
Video card
A video card, Graphics Card, or Graphics adapter is an expansion card which generates output images to a display. Most video cards offer various functions such as accelerated rendering of 3D scenes and 2D graphics, MPEG-2/MPEG-4 decoding, TV output, or the ability to connect multiple monitors...
.
Critical reaction was generally favourable, with reviewers being impressed by the beauty of the graphics and the thrilling depiction of speed. They were however, slightly disappointed with the shallow nature of the gameplay. A newer version of the arcade game was released in 2003, incorporating motion simulator
Motion simulator
A motion simulator or motion platform is a mechanism that encapsulates occupants and creates the effect/feelings of being in a moving vehicle...
technology into the arcade cabinet.
Gameplay
Set in 2090, the game is centred on a fictional extreme racing sport known as Ballistics, a descendant of Formula OneFormula One
Formula One, also known as Formula 1 or F1 and referred to officially as the FIA Formula One World Championship, is the highest class of single seater auto racing sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile . The "formula" designation in the name refers to a set of rules with which...
. The player takes the role of a Ballistic's pilot, racing hoverbikes called speeders through the inside of tubes which form the courses. The speeders are magnetically attached to the race surface, allowing the player 360 degrees of movement along the left/right axis. The player can detach the speeder from the track and navigate down the center in order to avoid track obstacles and to acquire the power-ups exclusively located there. Players must try to follow the outside of each curve, as hitting the inside of a curve at speed could lead to an involuntary detachment, leading to a loss of control and seconds dropped in securing reattachment.
Heat levels on the speeder must be monitored, as although there are no set top speeds for the vehicles, they can explode if allowed to overheat. Heat builds up from acceleration and from collisions. To counteract this, the player may activate the on board cooler, however, this will slow the vehicle down. Designated cooling strips along the track and the Ice power-up can cool the vehicle without a speed penalty, allowing the player to continue accelerating.
Speeders have a boost meter, showing how much fuel is available for the on board speed boost. Although the boost provides greater speeds and acceleration than the standard throttle, it also increases the speeder's heat levels. Designated booster load zones along the track replenish the meter, and a super boost power-up is available which doubles the potency of the boost.
Players are rewarded with cash for attaining high speeds, placing highly in races and obtaining the Flip-Score power-up. Cash can be used in between races to upgrade their speeder by purchasing new parts. Parts are split into four categories - chassis, cooler, engine and front shield, with each affecting the speeder in different ways. Some tracks may favour a particular set-up over others.
There are seven tracks included in the game, with locations inspired from different parts of the globe, from Belize
Belize
Belize is a constitutional monarchy and the northernmost country in Central America. Belize has a diverse society, comprising many cultures and languages. Even though Kriol and Spanish are spoken among the population, Belize is the only country in Central America where English is the official...
to Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
. Progression through the game is achieved by competing in and winning races against computer controlled racers spread over different tracks and in different leagues. Players begin in the Rookie league, across three of the tracks, where the chances of detachment from the race surface are decreased and rates of acceleration reduced. Success in the Rookie league unlocks the less forgiving Pro league with more tracks on which to compete. Further success unlocks the most difficult league, the Ballistics league, competition in this league occurs across every track and to complete this, the player must place first in every race.
Success in the game relies on track memorisation, fast reflexes, careful balancing of heat and boost levels, and selecting the right set-up for each track. The game is marked for its pure focus on speed, with speeds breaking mach 3
Mach number
Mach number is the speed of an object moving through air, or any other fluid substance, divided by the speed of sound as it is in that substance for its particular physical conditions, including those of temperature and pressure...
depending on the players skill. At these speeds the graphics and audio blur and distort, and have been compared with the psychedelic
Psychedelic
The term psychedelic is derived from the Greek words ψυχή and δηλοῦν , translating to "soul-manifesting". A psychedelic experience is characterized by the striking perception of aspects of one's mind previously unknown, or by the creative exuberance of the mind liberated from its ostensibly...
vortex sequence of 2001: A Space Odyssey
2001: A Space Odyssey (film)
2001: A Space Odyssey is a 1968 epic science fiction film produced and directed by Stanley Kubrick, and co-written by Kubrick and Arthur C. Clarke, partially inspired by Clarke's short story The Sentinel...
. Ballistics supports multiplayer
Multiplayer game
A multiplayer video game is one which more than one person can play in the same game environment at the same time. Unlike most other games, computer and video games are often single-player activities that put the player against preprogrammed challenges and/or AI-controlled opponents, which often...
gameplay for up to eight players across a LAN
Local area network
A local area network is a computer network that interconnects computers in a limited area such as a home, school, computer laboratory, or office building...
or internet
Internet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
.
Development
Ballistics was the first game developed at GRIN. Careful planning and production methods enabled a very quick completion time of 6 months; the game was finished before even acquiring a distribution partner. GRIN used TQMTotal Quality Management
Total quality management or TQM is an integrative philosophy of management for continuously improving the quality of products and processes....
methods to ensure a high standard of work, and JIT techniques to ensure the timing of different production phases came together.
The prime inspiration for the game was Formula One
Formula One
Formula One, also known as Formula 1 or F1 and referred to officially as the FIA Formula One World Championship, is the highest class of single seater auto racing sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile . The "formula" designation in the name refers to a set of rules with which...
, and GRIN tried to recreate the feeling of speed captured by the in-car cameras. In order to achieve a good on screen reference for the speeds attained, the track was redesigned into a tunnel, allowing the entire screen to act as a reference. Coupling this with scenes of the outdoors enabled GRIN to create "a total speed simulation". The settings were inspired by various sources, the city tracks drew inspiration from the films Blade Runner
Blade Runner
Blade Runner is a 1982 American science fiction film directed by Ridley Scott and starring Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer, and Sean Young. The screenplay, written by Hampton Fancher and David Peoples, is loosely based on the novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K...
and The Fifth Element
The Fifth Element
The Fifth Element is a 1997 French science fiction film directed, co-written, and based on a story by Luc Besson, starring Bruce Willis, Gary Oldman, and Milla Jovovich...
, other tracks took their inspiration from nature, such as the Amazon Rainforest
Amazon Rainforest
The Amazon Rainforest , also known in English as Amazonia or the Amazon Jungle, is a moist broadleaf forest that covers most of the Amazon Basin of South America...
and snow scenes of Siberia
Siberia
Siberia is an extensive region constituting almost all of Northern Asia. Comprising the central and eastern portion of the Russian Federation, it was part of the Soviet Union from its beginning, as its predecessor states, the Tsardom of Russia and the Russian Empire, conquered it during the 16th...
. Ballistics took cues from other futuristic racing games, such as WipEout
Wipeout (video game)
Wipeout is the first in a series of futuristic racing video games developed and published by Psygnosis. It was originally released in 1995 for Sony PlayStation and PCs running MS-DOS, and in 1996 for Sega Saturn...
and Rollcage, emulating the fun and the speed whilst taking it even further with high end graphics.
The graphics engine
Game engine
A game engine is a system designed for the creation and development of video games. There are many game engines that are designed to work on video game consoles and personal computers...
used to power the game was christened the Diesel Engine. GRIN developed this engine for flexibility and scalability, allowing the engine to be easily upgraded with new features. Based on DirectX
DirectX
Microsoft DirectX is a collection of application programming interfaces for handling tasks related to multimedia, especially game programming and video, on Microsoft platforms. Originally, the names of these APIs all began with Direct, such as Direct3D, DirectDraw, DirectMusic, DirectPlay,...
, this meant the engine could be used across Windows
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
and Xbox
Xbox
The Xbox is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Microsoft. It was released on November 15, 2001 in North America, February 22, 2002 in Japan, and March 14, 2002 in Australia and Europe and is the predecessor to the Xbox 360. It was Microsoft's first foray into the gaming console...
platforms. GRIN worked closely with NVIDIA
NVIDIA
Nvidia is an American global technology company based in Santa Clara, California. Nvidia is best known for its graphics processors . Nvidia and chief rival AMD Graphics Techonologies have dominated the high performance GPU market, pushing other manufacturers to smaller, niche roles...
to incorporate then new technologies such as pixel and vertex shaders to render complex scenes. Ballistics was marketed by NVIDIA
NVIDIA
Nvidia is an American global technology company based in Santa Clara, California. Nvidia is best known for its graphics processors . Nvidia and chief rival AMD Graphics Techonologies have dominated the high performance GPU market, pushing other manufacturers to smaller, niche roles...
as a flagship title for their new series of GeForce 3 graphics cards
Video card
A video card, Graphics Card, or Graphics adapter is an expansion card which generates output images to a display. Most video cards offer various functions such as accelerated rendering of 3D scenes and 2D graphics, MPEG-2/MPEG-4 decoding, TV output, or the ability to connect multiple monitors...
. The game came bundled with various versions of the GeForce 3, with distribution of the bundled game handled by Interplay OEM
Interplay Entertainment
Interplay Entertainment Corporation is an American video game developer and publisher, founded in 1983 as Interplay Productions by Brian Fargo. The company had been a quality developer until they started publishing their own games in 1988, like Neuromancer and Battle Chess. The company was renamed...
. Later versions of the Diesel Engine would be used in GRIN games such as the Windows version of Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter
Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter
Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter is the third installment in the popular Ghost Recon tactical shooter video game series, published by Ubisoft in 2006. As in previous Ghost Recon games, players command their team of Ghosts while neutralizing hostile forces and completing various mission...
.
Arcade version
Video arcade
An amusement arcade or video arcade is a venue where people play arcade games such as video games, pinball machines, electro-mechanical games, redemption games, merchandisers , or coin-operated billiards or air hockey tables...
version of Ballistics for distribution by Triotech Amusement
Triotech Amusement
Triotech Amusement is an arcade company which was founded in 1999. They are known for their motion simulators such as XD Theater and Jett Rider. -Products:*Ballistics*Jett Rider*Mad Wave Motion Theater...
. The game's gameplay had to be reworked to suit an arcade environment, and support was added for multiplayer games with up to eight linked cabinets. Triotech designed a unique reclined seating cabinet
Arcade cabinet
A video game arcade cabinet, also known as a video arcade machine or video coin-op, is the housing within which a video arcade game's hardware resides. Most cabinets designed since the mid-1980s conform to the JAMMA wiring standard...
for the game, the aim of the design was the offer the player a more comfortable and immersive experience. The inspiration for the design came to Triotech co-founder, Ernest Yale; who whilst putting his feet up on the desk, realised how comfortable the playing position was. Ballistics was released for arcades in January 2002.
The game would be updated twice for the arcade. Ballistics 2003, launched in early 2003, incorporated Triotech's MadWave Motion motion simulator
Motion simulator
A motion simulator or motion platform is a mechanism that encapsulates occupants and creates the effect/feelings of being in a moving vehicle...
technology into the cabinet. Providing force feedback through the seat, this allows the player to experience up to 2g
G-force
The g-force associated with an object is its acceleration relative to free-fall. This acceleration experienced by an object is due to the vector sum of non-gravitational forces acting on an object free to move. The accelerations that are not produced by gravity are termed proper accelerations, and...
of acceleration whilst playing the game, with actuator
Actuator
An actuator is a type of motor for moving or controlling a mechanism or system. It is operated by a source of energy, usually in the form of an electric current, hydraulic fluid pressure or pneumatic pressure, and converts that energy into some kind of motion. An actuator is the mechanism by which...
s in the seat providing 100 movements per second. A further version of the cabinet, Super Ballistics was launched in September 2003. Chris Morris, listed Ballistics 2003 as one of the top "Video game gifts for the obscenely rich" in his Holiday 2004 column at CNN Money
CNN
Cable News Network is a U.S. cable news channel founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. Upon its launch, CNN was the first channel to provide 24-hour television news coverage, and the first all-news television channel in the United States...
.
Reception
Critical reception towards the game was largely positive, albeit lukewarm; receiving a rating of 71% at review aggregation website MetacriticMetacritic
Metacritic.com is a website that collates reviews of music albums, games, movies, TV shows and DVDs. For each product, a numerical score from each review is obtained and the total is averaged. An excerpt of each review is provided along with a hyperlink to the source. Three colour codes of Green,...
. Reviews generally praised the high graphical standard in the game, PC Zone
PC Zone
PC Zone was the first magazine dedicated to games for IBM-compatible personal computers to be published in the United Kingdom. Earlier PC magazines such as PC Leisure, PC Format and PC Plus had covered games but only as part of a wider remit. PC Zone was founded in 1993.The magazine was published...
described the visuals as superb and praised the use of "transparent surfaces and open frameworks to alleviate the potential monotony of racing through a drainpipe." IGN
IGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
echoed this, stating that at those moments where "a solid tunnel breaks into a transparent one", "the true meticulous nature of the courses can be realized". GameSpot
GameSpot
GameSpot is a video gaming website that provides news, reviews, previews, downloads, and other information. The site was launched in May 1, 1996 by Pete Deemer, Vince Broady and Jon Epstein. It was purchased by ZDNet, a brand which was later purchased by CNET Networks. CBS Interactive, which...
praised the graphical effects, describing them as "a psychedelic display of cosmic lighting and motion-blur wizardry".
Reviews were agreed on Ballistics successful implementation of "a total speed simulation"; PC Zone stating that "Ballistics is, in fact, the fastest racing game ever", and Eurogamer
Eurogamer
Eurogamer is a Brighton-based website focused on video games news, reviews, previews and interviews. It is operated by Eurogamer Network Ltd., which was formed in 1999 by brothers Rupert and Nick Loman. Eurogamer has grown to become one of the most important European-based websites focused on...
commenting that this was a game that made "Wipeout
Wipeout (video game)
Wipeout is the first in a series of futuristic racing video games developed and published by Psygnosis. It was originally released in 1995 for Sony PlayStation and PCs running MS-DOS, and in 1996 for Sega Saturn...
look like Driving Miss Daisy
Driving Miss Daisy
Driving Miss Daisy is a 1989 American comedy-drama film adapted from the Alfred Uhry play of the same name. The film was directed by Bruce Beresford, with Morgan Freeman reprising his role as Hoke Colburn and Jessica Tandy playing Miss Daisy...
". Although IGN felt that at times the "ridiculous speed actually often works to debilitate [the gameplay]".
The gameplay was less well received, and reviewers commented on the lack of depth to the gameplay and that the inclusion of only seven tracks meant the game lacked variety. PC Gamer
PC Gamer
PC Gamer is a magazine founded in Britain in 1993 devoted to PC gaming and published monthly by Future Publishing. The magazine has several regional editions, with the UK and US editions becoming the best selling PC games magazines in their respective countries...
(US Edition) noted that whilst "the game delivers an intense, thrilling experience", this only lasted "20 minutes or so". GameSpot shared similar sentiments, stating that "Ballistics loses much of its fascination within the first few hours of playtime" and that it would only take four or five practice sessions per track to master the game.
Still, some critics found the game very enjoyable and exciting. Eurogamer closed their review stating that "when you get 'in the zone
Flow (psychology)
Flow is the mental state of operation in which a person in an activity is fully immersed in a feeling of energized focus, full involvement, and success in the process of the activity. Proposed by Mihály Csíkszentmihályi, the positive psychology concept has been widely referenced across a variety of...
'", "the sheer adrenaline
Epinephrine
Epinephrine is a hormone and a neurotransmitter. It increases heart rate, constricts blood vessels, dilates air passages and participates in the fight-or-flight response of the sympathetic nervous system. In chemical terms, adrenaline is one of a group of monoamines called the catecholamines...
rush is unbeatable". PC Zone finished by stating that "Ballistics really will leave your adrenal gland
Adrenal gland
In mammals, the adrenal glands are endocrine glands that sit atop the kidneys; in humans, the right suprarenal gland is triangular shaped, while the left suprarenal gland is semilunar shaped...
as dry as a stiffened sponge".