R: Racing Evolution Critic Reviews

If you were trying to decide on a racer before "GT4," I would say that this is the title for you if you are looking for a solid single-player game. If you're in the market for a good multiplayer racer, I would suggest "Need For Speed Underground."

I learned early that when Namco puts a racing game together, you need to treat it as if E. F. Hutton had just given financial tips; pay attention and rush out to experience it for yourself.

Looks, sounds and plays every bit as good as "Gran Turismo 3" while bringing some great new additions to the genre.

A great simulation racer that does almost everything well. The Racing Life mode is too short and the rally racing can be unforgiving. But the pressure sensitive gameplay, realistic AI, and event challenges round out a great race package that’s tough to pass.

The intimacy, the almost Zen-like relationship with the track is not here. Even so, I would be a fool to call this game anything other than great.

The notion of a story-driven racing game is definitely something I'm getting used to, and after an initial feeling of resistance, I have to say the game got to be quite fun...It's not the greatest racer ever made, but it is pretty darn good.

Touchy controls and a story mode that is over almost before it begins are the most glaring oversights to this game. However, the realistic AI, wonderfully stylish presentation, and overall fun to be had with R: Racing more than make up for any shortcomings.

Tries too hard to appeal to all types of racing fans, without ever feeling like a complete experience.

t looks fantastic! But it plays just ok.

It’s a unique racing experience that isn’t quite arcade and certainly not simulation. As long as you know what to expect going in you won’t be disappointed and you might even be a bit surprised.

A fairly entertaining game for the duration of the racing life mode, mostly because of the impressive pre-rendered sequences, but if you’re looking for a racing game with the simulation style goodness of "MotoGP," or the frenetic action of "Ridge Racer," you’d be well advised to look elsewhere.

A fun game but its not "Ridge Racer." "Ridge Racer" always complimented the "GT" series well but with this game its two trying to be in the same vein.

A fun time, in spite (or because) of its ludicrous story and cutscenes, which you won't find in any other serious racer.

R isn’t a horrible game, and if you actually get a bit used to the controls it’s absolutely playable, but the whole idea is that you shouldn’t have to get used to a racing game’s controls unless it’s as rewarding as, say, "Gran Turismo."

A solid racing game, but its real-world courses (and even its original venues) fail to deliver the same amount of sheer thrill that its completely arcade-skewed predecessors did.

While the ability to purchase new vehicles by completing challenges isn’t an original idea, it’s executed to near perfection. Admittedly, poor artificial intelligence, sometimes-awkward controls and a fairly small selection of vehicles all keep the game from rivaling titles such as Project Gotham Racing 2, but Evolution is an fine title nonetheless.

It's too bad that there's nothing but straw where R: Racing Evolution's heart should be.

In the end though you have to consider that when it's good its very very good and when its bad... its just a bit rough, never terrible.

Control is stiff and the sensation of speed comparatively slow. And it's certainly not as fast and arcade-cool as "Ridge Racer."

It attempts to deliver some simulation-styled thrills, but the driving physics and options simply aren't up to snuff when compared to other, better games. On the other side, the addition of brake assist turns the game into an overly simplified affair that reduces the gameplay to holding down the gas pedal and steering.