Wave Race: Blue Storm Review
Wave Race: Blue Storm
Platform
GameCube
Publisher
Nintendo
Developer
NST
Genre
Racing
Players
4
ESRB Rating
Everyone
Release
November 18, 2001
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[November 25, 2001] “Prepare for the wettest, wildest racing ever as Wave Race splashes onto the Nintendo GameCube!” This quote was taken for the back of the game box and its words couldn’t be any truer. I was an avid fan of the original Wave Race for the Nintendo 64; heck it was my first N64 game. When NCL made Wave Race for the N64, it was thought to have the best water psychics ever, and it did. No other game could match what NCL did with Wave Race. That is until Wave Race: Blue Storm came along. This time around, NCL passed the powers that be to NST. NST’s track record so far has been impressive with Ridge Racer and 1080 Snowboarding. So Nintendo had great faith in NST to release a top quality game. Especially with it being Wave Race, NST had to do good on their part.
Features:
- Race on ever changing water conditions
- All new turbo boost for much deeper gameplay strategy
- Five different modes of play including Championship, Time Attack, Stunt, Multiplayer, Free Roam, and Tutorial
- Now choose from eight unique characters with varying degrees of difficulty
- Normal, Hard, and Expert modes of play in Championship
- Custom forecast your own weather conditions. From calm, foggy, rainy, to storm
- Random weather conditions affect water level to reveal unique shortcuts and new track layouts
- Race against your own ghost in Time Attack to compete for top lap times
- Four-player split-screen multiplayer support
- Fluid 30 frames per second during races, even multiplayer races
- Supports 480p progressive scan HDTVs
So did NST do good on their part? YES! NST delivered the goods and then some. Let’s start with gameplay. How does it play? Wave Race plays extremely fluid and fast. The premise of the game, like any other racing game, is to cross the finish line first. This time though, you can’t win by merely passing every buoy successfully. This time a bit more strategy is necessary. Turbo boost is Wave Race: BS’ newest feature. When you continuously pass a buoy, your turbo meter raises. When the turbo meter fills up, you are now able to boost with incredible speed. You’re not the only one that can use turbo, you’re opponents can use turbo as well. So you must use your turbo wisely and efficiently. Passing buoys successfully is not the only way you are able to raise your boost meter. You can also do tricks or stunts in order to raise your meter. This is a critical strategy in order to quickly raise your boost meter to full.
The physics has improved as well. In Wave Race 64, wakes from your opponents didn’t truly affect the way your rider would ride on the water. This time if you get caught in someone’s wake, you’ll be going all over the place. You’ll often find yourself going another direction than what you wanted to go. Waves have a greater impact on your rider as well. When it’s smooth waters, your rider glides over the water, but when you play on a stage that has a raging storm…let’s just say be prepared to be tossed around.
Wave Race’s graphics is what shines best. The water is just incredible. It reflects everything perfectly. The backgrounds are reflected perfectly and undulate to the waves. The water in Wave Race 64 was opaque, so it was like riding on cloudy water. This time in Blue Storm, the water is transparent and you can see the ocean floor. From seeing coral reefs, to turtles, to penguins, to even a killer whale!! Subtle effects have been added as well. Jump off of a ramp and land on the water. When you do that you see splashes of water on the screen. Just as if a camera was splashed with water! Lens flare was also added to create that realistic camera effect. Minor details add to the game’s overall graphical beauty.
The game runs at an unbelievably smooth 30 FPS and that’s constant. When you use your boost, you’d swear that it was going at least 60 FPS. With all that’s going on, it’s hard to imagine that the game NEVER slows down. Even when you play four player matches, the game stays at constant 30 FPS.
The characters received a polygon boost as well. Instead of using simple helmets, they now have hair. Flowing hair for the woman even. Again, subtle improvements add to the games overall beauty.
The controls for the game have also improved. Most have said that the game is too loose, but it is perfect. You got to remember that this game is about Jet Skis on water, not cars on pavement. Meaning that you must accelerate in order to turn properly. NST added the functionality of using the shoulder L and R button. Now, while turning, you can press in on the L button to lean more to the left and vice versa. Mastering this key element is also key to winning Expert mode.
Sound is one of the weakest points of Blue Storm. Now, not that the sound is bad, it’s just not the greatest. Wave Race: Blue Storm supports Mono, Stereo and Surround Sound. Some beats are catchy and upbeat, while others are calm and relaxing. Fits perfectly with its respective courses. All the other sound effects are spot on and emulate it’s respective sound perfectly.
The overall package is packed full of fun and exhilarating action. The incredible graphics, coupled with the unbelievably realistic physics make this game a must buy.
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Brandon's Verdict: Although the game is similar to Wave Race 64 at first, if you stick with it, you’ll see that WV:BS is a game of it’s own. Just make sure you have a towel handy.
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Presentation
With bright and vibrant textures, it’s hard to resist its fun appeal. The menu screens utilize the water as an affect that just gives you the giggles.
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85%
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Visuals
Water effects like none other. With a constant 30 FPS even while using turbo boost it’s a graphical powerhouse.
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95%
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Audio
Varying announcers make the game a bit fresh each time and they aren’t as annoying as in the first game. Game soundtrack has some catchy tunes and appropriate music for certain courses. Supports surround sound.
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90%
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Gameplay
FUN. Blue Storm is an addicting game that is hard to put down. Hard is hard and expert is just impossible, but if you stick with it, it’s a rewarding experience.
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97%
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Lasting Appeal
Open up different courses and different weather patterns keep the game fresh. Multiplayer keeps the game fun and enjoyable.
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85%
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Final Score
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92%
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Brandon Kim
Editor, GamerNext.com
