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Outrun 2006: Coast 2 Coast Review
Chris Leyton
31/03/2006
SEGA and Sumo Digital return with the multi-format release of a true classic...
There was a time when racing games didn't require expert knowledge of the correct racing line or to know the finer workings of a 6-litre V12 "kiss my grease-monkey ass, you sonnova... " engine; back then it was all about one thing, the correct timing behind the supremely powerful Powerslide.
With a heritage of titles that include the likes of Daytona USA and Sega Rally, SEGA were without doubt pioneers of the scene, wowing us in the arcades and treating us with acceptable home conversions. All of it can however be traced back to just one title, one game that put SEGA on the map, one game that should require little introduction, namely Yu Suzuki's Outrun.
After several uninspired attempts to create a sequel AM2 returned to the arcades in 2003 with the true sequel in the shape of Outrun 2 (despite it actually being the fourth title in the series). An Xbox port of the title and a quasi arcade update followed in the proceeding year, leading up to the release of Outrun 2006: Coast 2 Coast for the Xbox, Playstation2, PSP and PC.
Although Outrun 2 and the subsequent spin-offs such as Coast 2 Coast are unlikely to ever gain the same prestige as their timeless predecessor, Yu Suzuki and the team at AM2 along with Sumo Digital have done an excellent job of retaining what made Outrun a classic in the first place. With Magical Sound Shower running on the stereo, your girlfriend by your side, Outrun 2006 Coast 2 Coast faithfully captures the laid-back, charismatic charm of the original.
Still underneath that is a ruthlessly addictive racing game, one which pushes the clock back by putting the emphasis on an incessant timer and a score counter; older gamers most notably will enjoy the dynamic that Coast 2 Coast presents and question why this high tempo, risk/reward structure has been ditched by racing titles in modern years. As I mentioned before it's all about the Powerslide, the skill isn't about the actual racing but mastering the art of sliding around corners, weaving in gaps between the traffic and timing the exit to gain rapid acceleration on the straight, it's a pure racing game that packs exhilaration. Whereas modern racers place the emphasis on realism, actual cars and licensed tracks/circuits, Coast 2 Coast comes from a time before, a time when the skill of the developers was actually in the design of the course rather then being able to come up with the most complex physics engine known to man. Taking the more difficult route will chuck chicanes one after the other, requiring deft knowledge of the powerslide and the way it works, whilst increasing the number of traffic obstacles that you've got to pass. Weaving around a corner, sliding between cars like a pro, is a largely unparalleled experience, the closest thing to it seems to be Namco's Ride Racer series but that doesn't really come close. Admittedly there may be a tinge of nostalgia in this reviewer who fondly recalls loosing his pocket money to the arcades because there was never a decent home conversion, but even still Outrun 2006: Coast 2 Coast is a game any self-proclaimed racing fanatic needs to check out.
Remaining true to its arcade origins Coast 2 Coast embodies the Outrun heritage, placing a series of five different tracks before you, each with a branch at the end to choose a route, left being easy and right being hard - this is all videogame lore and should be etched into the inner psyche of those fast approaching their thirties! If you loved Outrun the first time around be prepared to devote yourself once again, there's just so much to saviour; from the way stages transform into one another in true Outrun tradition, to the inclusion of classic 1986 tracks, modern adaptations and even Euro Remix versions. One element that does differ from the original Outrun experience is the fact SEGA have secured Ferrari's permission this time around, and as such eight licensed cars ranging from the Dino 256 GTS to the Enzo Ferrari, now feature in the game. Their inclusion reinforces the close ties the series and AM2 have enjoyed with the Italian car manufacturer; however don't expect faithful simulations, as much like the rest of the game, the cars are essentially based on the traditional Acceleration, Handling and Top Speed attributes.
Outrun 2 introduced new concepts to the mix, which Coast 2 Coast builds upon. Unlike many arcade conversions Coast 2 Coast is an absolute beast of a game, with enough substance and variety to keep you hooked for months to come. Not only is the arcade version of Outrun 2 and SP variation present in their entirety, but Coast 2 Coast also features an elaborate single-player mode and online options for 1-6 multiplayer.
The titular "Coast 2 Coast" mode presents a variety of challenges divided between Flagman and Clarissa events. The former are largely based on competing races against a number of rivals, although the occasional challenge requires you to out-drift an opponent. The latter take the original concept of having a girl by your side and actually places some weight behind it; laying down the law, each stage of the route finds her demanding certain challenges such as overtaking cars, drifting as much as possible, dribbling oversized beach balls, avoiding UFOs and much, much more... The difficulty of the challenges depends on the route you've taken, whilst there's also the incessant timer to constantly worry about - if you've grown tired of the strive for realism in modern racers and perhaps Burnout isn't your type of thing, then Outrun 2006 Coast 2 Coast could be just what you need.
All of the versions are surprisingly close to the arcade, though naturally the Xbox and PC versions sports superior visual quality with a crisper overall image. The Playstation2 version does suffer from some framerate issues when the action heats up and you're powersliding around convoys, however it does feature link-up support with the PSP version allowing you to transfer your license and play on the move - the only problem being, you'd have to be quite an Outrun nut to justify purchasing both versions of the game.
