Juiced: Eliminator is an improvement over the console version that was released last year, but it's still not in any danger of becoming a classic racing game. by Colin Thames

July 25, 2006 - Compared to other racing games on the PSP, Juiced: Eliminator is what I would consider a "good" game, and even at that I would be giving it the benefit of the doubt. While it contains some new features that weren't available in the console versions such as new single-player modes and customizing options, the lackluster tracks and skittish control system has still not been addressed.

Despite its shortcomings, Eliminator can be tamed - but only on its terms. There is a learning curve but it's more of a practice curve as learning the controls is the easy part but learning how to execute them to any degree of success will take some time. A tutorial will explain all of the moves, and there are few of them such as donuts, 180s, 360s and J-turns not to mention that ever-popular of racing moves, powersliding. These moves will help you not only with the race but they can be incorporated into your racing style like a guitarist's collection of hot licks.

Powersliding is a racing staple and used successfully it can generally mean the difference between first and last place. It's done by applying the brake aggressively while cornering at almost full acceleration. In Eliminator this particular move is part arcade and part sim but it's impossible to differentiate between them. It's a very tricky move to get a handle on with no thanks to the #$&+-ing nub which is like trying to scratch your back with a strand of cooked spaghetti. It's very easy to spin out of control, and while you may just end up fishtailing and not hitting a wall, the lack of control will still slow you down. The fact that it doesn't respond to real-world physics dictates that this is not a sim move but because it's so difficult to pull off properly seems to disqualify it from the arcade category. I can honestly say that I'm getting better at it but it's still a crap shoot after about six hours of play.

Getting to the finish line first is not your ultimate concern in Eliminator, though it's certainly a contender for the main concern. The Career mode really defines this game and adds a lot of depth to ensure that this is much more than your average racing game. The two things that you need the most in the game are money and respect. Both are inextricably linked. The more money you have the more respect you get and the more respect that you cultivate the more money you can generate. What is great is that there are different ways to earn respect which reinforces the customization of this game. It can be a very personal experience, and if you're so inclined, you can replay the game experimenting with different personalities that ultimately lead toward different racing styles and modded vehicles.

Winning races, or coming in second place will help you generate income. You can even place bets on the outcome of the race to earn even more money. There are tons of licensed parts that you can purchase to customize your vehicle. Some are purely cosmetic such as paint jobs and decals while others will affect its performance and give you an edge in racing. Various non-playable characters in the game such as competitors and pit crews will notice various aspects of your character, vehicle and skills, and will give you the appropriate respect for your efforts. Some guys might be impressed with the looks of your car while others will note your driving skills taking into consideration how well you navigate the course. By earning respect you will be invited to enter into exclusive racing events that would otherwise be inaccessible to you. This will increase your options to make bigger and better wagers. You also have the potential to "steal" some experienced crew members to come work for you.

Races are displayed on a calendar with one race occurring each day. On open days you can customize a race to suit your taste. There are a number of different racing styles to choose from including the Eliminator, the namesake of this game. In Eliminator, the slowest vehicle is eliminated at every lap. All you have to do is make sure you're not in last place each time. Trust me, it's not as easy as it sounds. You can also race for pink slips and you can even set up races that include vehicles that are out of your class. These races will run on auto pilot but you can still bet on them and try to make some cash.

Rookie drivers can also be added to your posse, but they require training which can be a frustrating experience. You have to take them from the amateur ranks to the pro circuit by having them gain experience points. Oce again due to the control system this is no easy task. These drivers have the potential to earn you more money but you have to decide if it's worth the effort which I'm sure it would be if you plan on keeping this game in heavy rotation on the PSP for a few weeks.

The tracks are disappointing. They are uninspired and decidedly flat. You don't get that sense of freedom as in games such as Midnight Club when you're driving in the cities. The courses are all blocked off and just feel like a regular track flanked by tall and repetitive buildings. You'll have to rely on your onscreen map for upcoming turns since there are no markers on the courses to indicate them. The tracks could also use some splashes of color as they appear dull and grey, as though all the races are taking place in Moscow. On the other hand, the Juiced: Eliminator are colorful and very well detailed. The sense of speed is further exacerbated by a tasteful motion blur which doesn't entirely obscure the scenery, not that we should care if it did.

The sounds are decent but nothing special. Most vehicles sound identical, even after extensive customizing. There are some voiceovers and even some tunes from well-known bands such as Queens of the Stone Age and Limp Bizkit but largely the soundtrack is forgettable. There are some multi-player modes but they are only accessible via the ad hock wireless system. No online play. Up to five players can take part and you can even race your customized creations in the Career Races mode. Other multi-player modes include Arcade, Custom and Verses.

Juiced: Eliminator is worth checking out but keep in mind that it's going to take a lot of practice and dedication to extract all the joy juice out of this title. It's not a pick-up-and-play game and even after all the time you spend flattening the learning curve you might find that you don't really like it after all. Like racing, you win some, you lose some.

Features:

• All-new wireless multiplayer games
  
• 8 new characters and crews
  
• 2 new locations each with 8 unique tracks
• 9 new Juiced: Eliminator with over 100 new body-kit components
  
• New single-player game modes

By Colin Thames
CCC Freelance Writer

Rating out of 5 Juiced: Eliminator (PSP) 4.0 Graphics The tracks are dull and repetitive but the cars are virtually photo realistic. The load times can be annoying. 2.4 Control Thanks to the nub, the control system is flawed. It will take hours of practice to adapt to it. 3.1 Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting There is hardly any noticeable difference in sound among vehicles even after extensive customization. The soundtrack is a mix of hits and misses. 3.2 Play Value There is a lot of depth to the Career mode but if you can find some friends with copies of this game you can exploit the multi-player modes. 3.5 Overall Rating - Good Not an average. See Rating legend above for a final score breakdown.