At a glance...

Reviewer	Platform	Publisher	Developer	Players	Screenshots
Matt Bailey	PlayStation 2	Capcom Eurosoft	Capcom	1-2 (Split-screen)	Here
Requirements					Buy from Amazon.co.uk
241kb free on memory card.					Click here to buy Auto Modellista.

Auto Modellista review

Cel shading; just a way for developers to avoid realism with cartoon-style graphics? That is certainly a view some take, but I like to think of cel shading as an alternative style; offering something different from the increasingly photo-realistic graphics. However, cel shading doesn't mean poor graphics; on the contrary, games like Jet Set Radio Future (Xbox), XIII (PC/PS2/Xbox), and Auto Modellista, show how beautiful the technique can me. Indeed, AM does look magnificent and the cel shading has always been one of the game's promoted points, with the combined use of collision flashes, streaking lines that show the speed of movement, and the amazing rain effects (which you have got to see for yourself) which show just how well the technology can be used.

Another of Auto Modellista's promoted points was online play. The Japanese version, which came out in summer 2002, featured an online mode where you can meet up with people, chat in rooms, exchange decals, and show off your customised cars and your racing skills in online battles. It is a lot of fun, and quite a chunk of the game. However, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) haven't got quite their act together when it comes to online gaming in Europe, so Capcom decided to remove the online portion of the game when brining it to these shores.

How does this affect the game? Quite considerably, I'm afraid; online play is what made the game so special in its native Japan, and it made the title stand out for something other than the cel shading. The online section also played a considerable part in the overall game; adding depth which is now missing, and leaving us with a title that is far shorter than it should have been.

However, that's not to say the game is boring and lacking any depth. The game does feature a career mode, known as Garage Life. This allows you to take part in races, win cars, and customise them with upgrades, colour schemes and your own decals. There is a nice selection of cars here, but they are all Japanese manufacturers, isolating the Western giants of Daimler-Chrysler, Mercedes-Benz, Fiat and BMW, which is likely to affect its appeal in this country. However, you can be content with the selection of Nissans, Hondas, and Subarus available. Handling-wise the game stands up very well, and upgrades and adjustments really do make a noticeable difference. However, as great as it is, it isn't going to challenge Gran Turismo; a game that it appears to be trying hard to be, while not at the same time. Of course, the graphics and style is the main contrast, but the handling and gameplay feels so much more realism based, and I wonder if it would have been better to go with an arcade style, like Burnout 2.

As much as this tries to be a long and expansive mode, it is clearly let down in the track department; there are nine (not including reverse version) available, but all feel a bit similar and uninspiring, although they are all raceable in day or night, wet or dry conditions. A better selection would have made the game last longer, although AM does also include the standard arcade modes of single race, time trial, and of course, split-screen multiplayer racing. This lot in itself doesn't make for a really long-lasting game, but it is saved slightly by the Video Jockey (VJ) editing suite. Here you can open up your saved replays, and play around with them graphically, adding visual and sound effects, as well as music and overlays. All in all it is but a simple gimmick, but it adds some extra fun to the game, as well as shows off the beauty and immense style of the title.

Ratings

Graphics	Stylish and looking fantasic	9/10
Gameplay	Handling is good, but the game offers little variation	7/10
Value	At the time of writing, we did not have a value for money ranking.	0/10
Lifespan	Without online the title is lacking depth, and the modes won't keep you for that long	6/10
Audio	Engines are great, but not sure about the music choice	7/10
Overall	Cel-shading racing shown off in great style, but without online play, the story is only half-complete. Roll on Auto Modellista 2...	7/10

Click here to buy Auto Modellista from Amazon.co.uk.

Copyright Information

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