Rollcage (video game)

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A roll cage is also an automotive component.
Rollcage
PlayStation cover
Developer(s) Attention To Detail
Publisher(s) Psygnosis
Platform(s) PlayStation, Microsoft Windows
Release date March 24, 1999
Genre(s) Racing
Mode(s) Single player, Multiplayer
Rating(s) ESRB: E (Everyone)
USK: 12+
ELSPA: 3+
OFLC: G8+
Media 1 CD-ROM
System requirements DirectX 6.0, Windows 95 (WIN)
Input methods Keyboard, mouse, Gamepad or joystick

Rollcage is an arcade-style racing game for Windows and PlayStation, developed by Attention to Detail, and published by Psygnosis. The Windows version was released in the UK on March 24, 1999. The game's selling point was its unique physics engine, in which cars could drive on walls or ceilings because of the airflow passing over them at extreme speeds. The game also featured an original soundtrack by Fatboy Slim. A sequel named Rollcage Stage II was released in 2000 for Windows and Playstation. The sequel includes 20 vehicles and a lot more tracks than the first game, and it's more accessible to novice players. There is also a training mode, a combat mode and multiplayer (up to 4 players split screen or more players on the internet or LAN). The new Rollcage is called RollcageX or RCX. It is a fan made clone, which is still in development.

The cars are all double sided so, they can be driven on either side. This is done by having the tires of the car larger than the body. The cars can not be destroyed in the game.

Contents

[edit] Overview

This was the first game; it came before Rollcage Stage II. It contained 6 cars and drivers, which were: Tony, Lothar, Ria, Jet, Leon and Lenny. When the game was completed in the "Easy" mode the player unlocked the "Hard" mode and a mysterious 7th driver challenged the player. When the game was completed in "Hard" mode the new driver was unlocked. The new driver's name is "Yuri" and he is a Policeman. He arguably has the best statistics in the game as he has higher speed, grip, and acceleration than all the rest of the cars. His only weak area is strength, where he comes 2nd compared to the other cars. The modes are: League, Arcade, Time attack and Multiplayer.

[edit] Tracks

There are 4 main "Worlds" in Rollcage; Neoto City, Harpoon Islands, Saphire Springs and Outworld, where the racing takes place.

Neoto City is largely based on a city in Japan, and this can be seen especially in the logo, as it is in the shape of Japan's Flag. Harpoon Island are a series islands, Saphire Springs is an icy, snowy place, where it seems oil is being drilled. Finally, Outworld is a mining place, and it is loosely based in a desert.

All of the races are held in each of these 4 worlds.

[edit] Weapons and Power-ups

There are many weapons and power-ups in the game, and they are an integral part of the game. If used carefully, weapons and power-ups can help a lot during racing. There are 2 slots for weapons in the game so at any one time, the player can have 2 weapons, and they can be the same type.

Homing Missile - This a missile, when fired will make its way to the leader of the race and will blow him up into the air. The car and driver will not die or get damaged, as the cars cannot actually be destroyed by any means. The missile has a green tinge to it when it is traveling. When hit the car will go up in the air.

Worm Hole - This is opens a worm hole in front of your car and when fired makes its way to the person directly in front of you, position wise. i.e. if you are 5th it will make its way to 4th. After that, it will teleport that car behind the car that cast the attack.

Standard Single Missile - This missile will fire and destroy anything that is targeted. Players can target other cars and thus this missile acts like a Homing Missile only that it will target any car, not first place only. This missile has a gold tinge to it when traveling, to distinguish it from the Homing Missile. When hit the car will be blown up into the air. This missile can also be used to destroy buildings, signs and other structures.

Shield - This shield is the only thing that can protect you from any type of attack. It goes around the car. It depletes when it has been hit a lot or when a missile (of any sort) hits it.

Speed Boost - This gives the player a sudden burst of speed, causing the turbine exhausts of the car to turn gold (presumably because of the extra fuel/boost), when the Boost is wearing down, the exhausts turn white and finally back to the normal colour. This power-up can be used at the same time, but only if both slots are Speed Boosts. When this happens, the speed is doubled compared to that of a normal Speed Boost.

Ice Beam - This weapon looks like two lightning bolts coming out of the car. It basically causes cars around it to "freeze up" and affect their traction a lot, causing them to understeer or oversteer depending on the angle and speed of the car.

Driller Missile - This weapon shoots out three missiles in a straight line, and will carry on going until it hits something solid, i.e., anything apart from another car, so it is possible to hit more than 1 car with this attack. When hit the car will be blown up in the air as per norm.

Continuum Warper - This weapon slows down every car in the game, apart from the attacking car. The weapon lasts longer the further down in position you are. That is, if the player was 6 th, it will last longer than if the player was 1st.

As the player completes leagues, they will unlock certain tracks, and bonus bits. The bonus bits are multiplayer death matches where the only weapon is the Driller Missile and the only power-up is the Speed Boost. This is the only time in the game where the cars can be destroyed, but when destroyed, they are re-spawned.

[edit] References