![]() ![]() Traffic patterns vary from race to race, and because even a single accident often results in the loss of the race, success in races that involve traffic is reduced to coin-toss randomness. In such situations traffic is more of an annoyance than a challenge. Many of the races are gruelingly difficult, and even at amateur level the time limits for completing blitz and checkpoint races are far too severe. Therein lies one of Midtown Madness’ most prominent problems. Riding into the sunset in a Panoz Roadster. Other cars are equally interactive, and depending on traffic density, fender benders and full-blown pileups are common. Garbage cans and newspaper machines explode in clouds of litter and newsprint, and pedestrians freeze like deer and then dive for cover. ![]() Some objects are indestructible, but most of the game’s miscellaneous scenery will succumb to off-road onslaughts in a satisfying fashion. The visceral feel of taking a shortcut across a plaza, plowing through obstacles and innocent bystanders is difficult to dismiss (this isn’t Carmageddon by the way – civilians always jump out of your way). ![]() The sidewalks are lined with street signs, garbage cans, trees, newspaper vendors… and they are all interactive. Pedestrians and traffic choke the streets as they go about their daily business, regulated by changing traffic lights. Inaccuracies aside, the city feels real enough for the purposes of a racing game. It appears, though, that the designers have had little first-hand experience with the windy city—major landmarks such as the Water Tower and Navy Pier are faithfully represented, but many streets, intersections, and minor buildings have a “glossed over” feel. Different races follow different courses through the city, but it is often possible to deviate with shortcuts. The centerpiece of the game is its setting – a living city that recreates the streets of downtown Chicago in a massive, non-linear map that serves as the setting for all the game’s races. The premise is stuffed with great ideas, and many of them are skillfully implemented, but the game is hampered by a few significant problems. It is obvious that the developers put a lot of care into their design, and it has far more polish than the average cookie-cutter racing game. Cars take damage, and if you pound your car against enough other vehicles or buildings, you'll see (and hear) the signs of damage.An upbeat urban racer that loves to destroy things, including your sanity.Īngel Studios’ Midtown Madness wants to be a great game. Are you careful and cautious? The zippy, light VW Beetle would probably be up your alley. In fact, your competitors will try every trick in the book to cut corners, including jumping bridges, to finish before you.Īre you the type of driver who hits everything in your path? Maybe the city bus or the flatbed truck are for you. Midtown Madness does not have a set 'course'. Race options include circuit, a race against your competitors, blitz race, which pits you against the clock, checkpoint race, which challenges you to get to the checkpoints before your opponents, and cruise mode, an option to let you drive anywhere as you please.Īs you fly through the streets in one of 10 different car models, which include the new VW Beetle, a city bus, and a Mustang police car, in any of the 5 modes, you'll have to choose the best routes to beat your competitors. Welcome to Midtown Madness, Microsoft's latest release in its "Madness" series. ![]() Have you ever wondered how much it'd take to just snap and drive wild through the streets of Chicago, leaving pedestrians diving and mailboxes flying over your hood?. ![]()
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