Aerogauge
Reviewed by Luis Thell
Months after its Japanese debut, Aero Gauge finally finds its way to American shores
courtesy of ASCII. I'm not sure what took so long, since the game is virtually identical
to its Japanese incarnation and only the manual had to be translated.
Graphics 8 out of 10
Aero Gauge runs at fast speeds and smooth frame rates and has a definite style of its own.
Some of the cars look like classic Italian sports cars -- only without wheels. Others
resemble trains or trucks. Turn flaps open when steering left and right and nicely done
red and blue exhaust flames indicate how fast you're going. Each track has a different look,
ranging from a dusty canyon to the narrow alleys of a modern day Chinatown a la Blade
Runner. Unfortunately, Aero Gauge also has the most ridiculous amount of draw-in yet
seen on N64. On some tracks, the landscape literally draws itself in front of your eyes,
in others, it's clouded with a gleaming white layer of fog. There are some cool effects,
such as water spray when flying on top of the surface, but the game is decidedly light on
special effects. Still, if it's speed you're looking for -- Aero Gauge delivers the goods.
Music and Sound 6 out of 10
Apart from the sound of jet engines and the occasional "ready, start, go!" announcer,
Aero Gauge's sound effects are not much to shout about. The game's midi tracks may
sound like they're left over from the 16-bit days, but at least they're in stereo and reflect
the mood of the single tracks rather well. Originally, ASCII planned to replace the
current selection of Japanese synth rock with a more appealing soundtrack, but I
guess they ran out of time.
Game Challenge 5 out of 10
Like most N64 racers, Aero Gauge has a competent two-player vs. mode but no
multiplayer Championship mode where you race against computer-controlled cars.
You can configure your controller, adjust volumes, switch difficulty levels, toggle
catch-up logic on and off, and save records. During the game, you can switch between
three view points, including a first-person mode that makes the game look even faster
than it already is
Game Play-Fun 5 out of 10
Aero Gauge is another entry into the popular "cyber racer" genre. Race in blazing fast
aeromachines over/under/through four courses (plus two hidden ones), spin through
tubes and avoid taking damage from slamming into obstacles. The twist here is
that unlike in most other games, you can ascend and descend -- in that respect, the
game is very unique, but there just seems to be something missing.
There are four modes:
Grand Prix: Race through all four courses on three different difficulty
settings. Before starting, you must race alone to qualify for a position
Single Match Mode: Race one track against computer controlled drones
Time Attack Mode: Race alone to get a record time VS Mode: Race against one other
player in a split-screen race on one track
The sense of speed is often quite impressive, especially when speeding upside down
through many of the pipes and tunnels, and the controls are very responsive. Accelerate
with A, brake with B, and turn quickly with the Z-Button. A special maneuver, the drift
boost, will give you a little more speeds when coming out of curves and you will
definitely want to learn it in order to beat the tough competition in the harder levels.
That is, if you don't get bored before. The problem with Aero Gauge is that despite its
futuristic look, the game is almost too straightforward. There are no weapons, no
car upgrades, no power-ups, and the limited number of courses could use a lot more
short-cuts in order to keep things interesting.
The first few races are bound to be quite exciting as you try out better and faster
routes, but you will quickly have discovered everything the game has to offer -- gameplay
wise.
Replayability 7 out of 10
Like most N64 racers, Aero Gauge has a competent two-player vs. mode but no
multiplayer Championship mode where you race against computer-controlled cars.
Overall 6 out of 10
Aero Gauge offers a solid racing experience that shows flashes of originality here and
there, but when compared to other racers in the same genre (like F-Zero X or
Extreme-G), it simply falls short. The sense of speed is good, but the lack of variety
(the two hidden tracks aren't worth the effort) becomes apparent after only a few
hours of gameplay -- even with two players. It's "different" and warrants a look,
but we suggest renting this one before making a purchase decision.