Classic Namco racing IP gets a destructive new direction and track creator. Dominic Sacco inspects the ‘LittleBigPlanet of racing games’
[INFO]
Released: March 30th
Formats: 360, PS3
Publisher: Namco Bandai
Developer: Bugbear Entertainment
Distributor: Advantage Contact:
0121 506 9590
UNBOUND MARKETING Namco Bandai has promoted the game at events including GAMEfest, Eurogamer Expo, MCM Expo, its own Summer Shindig and a press event in November, says UK product manager Gary Chantler. A six-month print campaign and one- month online ad plan are also underway. The game’s soundtrack, which includes tracks from Skrillex and Scratch Perverts, has helped ramp up the PR activity.
SINCE THE days of the original PlayStation, Ridge Racer has become one of the best known driving games around.
The franchise is known for its fast, pick-up-and-play arcade gameplay – now it’s adopting a destructive edge. In Ridge Racer: Unbounded, players control a member of Unbounded, a team of mercenary street racers who smash up the roads of Shatter Bay to expand their territory and unlock new areas. Gamers can crash into other cars to put them out of the race, ala Burnout, and demolish pillars, gates and parts of the environment to progress. There are also Drift, Time Attack, Domination and multiplayer modes where users can race online. “Ridge Racer Unboundedtakes the very popular series that has
44 March 16th 2012
been running since 1993 in a whole new direction, and delivers thrills to existing Ridgefans and those of
“
Unboundedalso features a ‘City Creator’ which allows players to make their own tracks and racing rules for anyone to challenge.
NO BOUNDS
How often do you see a triple-A racing game that offers thousands of tracks and events to play? Gary Chantler, Namco Bandai
total destruction and arcade racers,” says Namco Bandai’s UK product manager Gary Chantler. “Developer Bugbear, famous for FlatOutand FlatOut 2, has taken hold of the brand and really made it their own.”
Users can choose from hundreds of parts, ramps and destructible objects to make their own street circuits. “The biggest and most unique selling point has got to be the City Creator – this is like nothing ever experienced in this genre of arcade racing,” adds Chantler. “How often do you see a triple-A racing game that offers players thousands of tracks and events to play? It’s the ‘LittleBigPlanet’ for Unbounded.” The game promises plenty of thrills, and with its new destructive and custom content, it could be a move in the right direction for Ridge Racer.
ON YOUR MARKS The Day One Limited Edition version of Unboundedwill include three exclusive cars and six paint jobs for consumers who buy early. These are based on other Namco properties like Pac-Man, Tekkenand Ace Combat. The limited edition SKU will also be priced the same as the standard version.