R:Racing Evolution
Encyclopedia
R: Racing Evolution is a racing video game released across the GameCube
, Xbox
, and PlayStation 2
by Namco
. It was released in Japan on November 27, 2003, in North America on December 9, 2003 and in Europe on April 2, 2004.
The GameCube version of the game includes Pac-Man Vs.
as a bonus.
The game offers a story mode where the player follows the racing career of Rena Hayami as she struggles to deal with the busy life of a professional race car driver and the politics of the sport. The mode features 14 chapters, in which the player earns new cars, RP points for new purchases, and views CG movies proceeding every chapter.
Other modes include the usual racing game fare: single races, time attacks, a versus mode, and car customization.
ambulance
driver living in a nondescript Western country. On one night, she responds to an accident at a racetrack. Pressed for time, Rena pushes her driving skills to the limit in order to deliver the injured racer to the hospital. Along for the ride with his injured team member, the former racing engineer and now team manager Stephan Garnier is impressed enough to offer Rena a chance to become a racecar driver herself. She accepts and joins Stephan's team, oblivious to the fact that the team is sponsored by a shadowy corporation called GVI. At first, Rena benefits from the company's influence and is given equipment and opportunities to race in major events. However, she quickly develops a bitter rivalry with independent veteran racer Gina Cavalli. It is later revealed that Gina despises GVI, and her contempt for the company spills over to Rena, whom Gina considers to be their pawn. Towards the end of Rena's rookie season, her mechanic Eddie comes up with a plan to leave GVI with Stephan and Rena. They form a new team without GVI's influence and Gina finds new respect for Rena and the two become friends while continuing their rivalry on the racetrack.
, Satoru Kōsaki, and other musicians who specialize in electronica
.
The original Japanese box cover displayed a De Tomaso Pantera
GT5. For the North American release, the box art was tailored to the domestic audience by changing the image to a Dodge Viper
. Similarly, for the European release the image was again changed to a regional supercar, the McLaren F1 GTR
.
Nintendo GameCube
The , officially abbreviated to NGC in Japan and GCN in other regions, is a sixth generation video game console released by Nintendo on September 15, 2001 in Japan, November 18, 2001 in North America, May 3, 2002 in Europe, and May 17, 2002 in Australia...
, 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...
, and PlayStation 2
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
by Namco
Namco
is a Japanese corporation best known as a former video game developer and publisher. Following a merger with Bandai in September 2005, the two companies' game production assets were spun off into Namco Bandai Games on March 31, 2006. Namco Ltd. was re-established to continue domestic operation of...
. It was released in Japan on November 27, 2003, in North America on December 9, 2003 and in Europe on April 2, 2004.
The GameCube version of the game includes Pac-Man Vs.
Pac-Man Vs.
is a Pac-Man video game originally designed exclusively for the Nintendo GameCube that was included as an extra bonus disc with the Player's Choice edition of Pac-Man World 2...
as a bonus.
Gameplay
R is a racing-sim game featuring over 33 licensed cars, and in-depth customization options such as braking, front wheel stabilizers, and car weight. Other features concerning gameplay include drifts, Nitro adjustments, and individual classes and attributes for every car. The game also features a system referred to as the pressure meter, a fighting game-esque gauge that fills up as the player gets closer to a rival car; the higher the meter, the greater the likelihood that the AI will make a critical mistake.The game offers a story mode where the player follows the racing career of Rena Hayami as she struggles to deal with the busy life of a professional race car driver and the politics of the sport. The mode features 14 chapters, in which the player earns new cars, RP points for new purchases, and views CG movies proceeding every chapter.
Other modes include the usual racing game fare: single races, time attacks, a versus mode, and car customization.
Plot
Rena Hayami is introduced as a JapaneseJapanese diaspora
The Japanese diaspora, and its individual members known as , are Japanese emigrants from Japan and their descendants that reside in a foreign country...
ambulance
Ambulance
An ambulance is a vehicle for transportation of sick or injured people to, from or between places of treatment for an illness or injury, and in some instances will also provide out of hospital medical care to the patient...
driver living in a nondescript Western country. On one night, she responds to an accident at a racetrack. Pressed for time, Rena pushes her driving skills to the limit in order to deliver the injured racer to the hospital. Along for the ride with his injured team member, the former racing engineer and now team manager Stephan Garnier is impressed enough to offer Rena a chance to become a racecar driver herself. She accepts and joins Stephan's team, oblivious to the fact that the team is sponsored by a shadowy corporation called GVI. At first, Rena benefits from the company's influence and is given equipment and opportunities to race in major events. However, she quickly develops a bitter rivalry with independent veteran racer Gina Cavalli. It is later revealed that Gina despises GVI, and her contempt for the company spills over to Rena, whom Gina considers to be their pawn. Towards the end of Rena's rookie season, her mechanic Eddie comes up with a plan to leave GVI with Stephan and Rena. They form a new team without GVI's influence and Gina finds new respect for Rena and the two become friends while continuing their rivalry on the racetrack.
Development
The soundtrack of the game was composed by Yū MiyakeYu Miyake
is a composer and sound engineer for the Namco video game company. One of his most memorable works surfaced with Katamari Damacy soundtracks, on which he served as a sound director. Other works include the Tekken series and Ridge Racer series.Before joining Namco, Miyake was a university student...
, Satoru Kōsaki, and other musicians who specialize in electronica
Electronica
Electronica includes a wide range of contemporary electronic music designed for a wide range of uses, including foreground listening, some forms of dancing, and background music for other activities; however, unlike electronic dance music, it is not specifically made for dancing...
.
The original Japanese box cover displayed a De Tomaso Pantera
De Tomaso Pantera
The Pantera was a sports car produced by the De Tomaso car company of Italy from 1971 to 1991, the last one being delivered to a customer in 1992.The word "Pantera" is Italian for "Panther".-History:...
GT5. For the North American release, the box art was tailored to the domestic audience by changing the image to a Dodge Viper
Dodge Viper
The first prototype was tested in January 1989. It debuted in 1991 with two pre-production models as the pace car for the Indianapolis 500 when Dodge was forced to substitute it in place of the Japanese-built Stealth because of complaints from the United Auto Workers, and went on sale in January...
. Similarly, for the European release the image was again changed to a regional supercar, the McLaren F1 GTR
McLaren F1 GTR
The McLaren F1 GTR was a racing variant of the McLaren F1 sports car first produced in 1995 for grand touring style racing, such as the BPR Global GT Series, FIA GT Championship, JGTC, and British GT Championship. It is most famous for its overall victory at the 1995 24 Hours of Le Mans where it...
.