Demolition Racer

Demolition Racer
Developer(s)	Pitbull Syndicate
Publisher(s)	Infogrames (PS1 & DC) Atari (PC)
Platform(s)	PlayStation, Microsoft Windows, Dreamcast
Release date(s)	PlayStation EU 1999 NA 31 August 1999 Microsoft Windows NA 20 October 1999 Dreamcast NA 23 October 2000
Genre(s)	Vehicular combat, racing
Mode(s)	Single-player, multiplayer
Distribution	CD-ROM, GD-ROM

Demolition Racer (also known as Demolition Racer: No Exit for the Dreamcast version) is a vehicular combat racing video game that combines destruction and driving tactics in a fast paced racing environment. It is very similar to the popular series Destruction Derby. Demolition Racer: No Exit features new tracks, two new cars, and an additional mode called "No Exit", which is similar to Last Man Standing. The game also has a sleek, new design.

Gameplay

The aim of the game is to win the race whilst destroying other racers' cars. Players receive points based on the amount of damage they do to other cars, then receive a score multiplier at the end of the game based on their standing in the race. In addition to the normal amounts of points, one high-point hit ("Death From Above") not only merit a large number of points but destroy the victim's car.

Game modes

• Demolition: The object of this mode is to complete the race in the given number of laps by earning damage points inflicted on contestants and reaching the highest rank possible while simultaneously surviving the race. Points were earned by generally smashing against and ramming other contestants and the player's points were multiplied by a certain number based on the player's rank in the final lap at the end of the race. The players could increase their points by inflicting more damage on other contestants, including damaging their contestant's radiator, destroying the contestant's car completely and even by landing on another car, destroying it instantly.
• The Chase: A standard race where the player is awarded for their placement in the final lap and points are not awarded for aggressiveness.
• Chicken: The same principle as in The Chase, only the player is the only contestant set on the right side of the race track; every other contestant is set driving in the opposite direction.
• Last Man Standing: Set in any of the Four arenas, players are awarded for causing as much damage amongst contestants as they can as well as surviving the round. The points follow here as they do in Demolition mode.
• Suicide: Set in an arena, players are awarded for being the first to demolish their car.

Leagues

In order to unlock more tracks and vehicles, players had the option of competing in various race leagues including the following:

• Rookie League
• Semi-Pro League
• Pro League
• Endurance League
• Arena League

Vehicles

There are a large number of cars to choose from in the game, and the models are based on various actual cars, although no authentic names were used.

• Marauder - A '70's muscle car resembling a Ford Maverick, the Marauder keeps strength, acceleration, top speed and handling at a medium level, resulting in a car that is fast and strong enough to compete in any race. The handling even contributes to destruction as players can use its average speed to target their next victim.
• Bobcat - A zippy little '90's hatchback that is agile and good in avoiding collisions, but its minimal strength keeps it from getting too rough. Players could use its handling to get around tight corners with ease as well as finding vantage points in the track.
• Cruiser - A bulky 50s luxury car that is the slowest vehicle among the line, but also one of the strongest. Its greatest advantage is its strength which enables it to inflict more damage than it receives.
• Predator - A fast 80s style sports car that is the fastest vehicle in the lineup, almost to the point where it takes special skills in handling the vehicle's sensitive turning and quick start-up. Its strength is fairly moderate, being on par with the Marauder's, but its speed can cause it more damage than the competitors, depending on how well the vehicle is handled.
• Renegade - A fast and aggressive everyday car resembling a 1980 Bentley Mulsanne, the vehicle is fast enough to avoid collisions, but strong enough to inflict damage if necessary. It is considered a step-up above the Marauder.
• Mantis - A fast and agile sports car resembling a Fiat, this car excels mostly in its handling and top speed, though it is one of the weakest vehicles in the line up.
• Widowmaker - A long hearse.
• Vandal - A van that resembles a Ford Transit.
• Raven - (DR: No Exit)
• Destroyer - (DR: No Exit)

Soundtrack

The soundtrack is essentially made of songs by industrial and electronic bands. The songs; Demolition Racer, Will This Never End, and Full Metal Contact were written by Fear Factory specifically for the game.

Track listing

1. Cirrus - Stop And Panic
2. Empirion - Clear The Area
3. Empirion - The Dark Inside Me
4. Empirion - Demolition Racer
5. Empirion - Gamma
6. Fear Factory - Full Metal Contact
7. Fear Factory - Machine Debaser
8. Tommy Tallarico - Melt Down
9. Fear Factory - Demolition Racer
10. Junkie XL - Descent
11. Fear Factory - Edge Crusher
12. Cirrus - Break The Madness
13. Cirrus - Abba Zabba
14. Fear Factory - Will This Never End
15. Fear Factory - End Instrumental
16. Tommy Tallarico - Moving Violation

Reception

Demolition Racer received mixed to positive reviews. Aggregating review website GameRankings and Metacritic gave the Dreamcast version 76.39% and 77/100,^[1][4] the PlayStation version 73.38%^[2] and the PC version 54.25%.^[3]

References

External links

• Pitbull Syndicate page