Ever get the urge to bash other drivers off the road? I know I have! In this incredibly fun racing game, it’s not important who finishes first, but who can cause the most damage to the opponents’ cars. With different game modes such as chase, suicide and chicken, it’s easy to play this game for hours on end!
The first time I played Demolition Racer: No Exit I was surprised at how easily I zipped past all the other cars, never to see them again, on my way to the finish line. I easily came in first, which made me wonder why the game was so simple. Soon I found out that there was much more to this game. You not only have to finish the race quickly, but you have to earn points by bashing into as many other cars as possible. The bigger the crash, the more points you get, which are then multiplied according to the position in which you finished. Suddenly I realized that the game was not going to be as easy as it first seemed!
There are a variety of races to choose from and more races and cars unlock as you complete the league races. In some races your goal is to get to the finish line as fast as possible, while in others you must destroy as many cars as possible in an arena. As an example, in the suicide race you are placed in an arena and the first person to destroy their own car by crashing it against walls and other racers wins. The large number of tracks, cars, bonus items and races keeps the game from getting boring, even after playing over and over again.
Demolition Racer: No Exit has great graphics, and even better background music. I am used to boring, repetitive music in racing games, but that is definitely not the case with this title. I was surprised to hear some very good techno songs, and my roommate even stayed in the room while I played just to listen to the music — now that is something you don’t find in many video games! The graphics are fairly realistic. As you get hit, you will notice damage to your car, such as the hood flying off, or the windows cracking, until eventually your car catches fire or explodes. The tracks are also very realistic, and always run very smoothly.
Just as I found out, while the game may seem easy at first glance, there is more to it than meets the eye. In order to complete some of the later leagues, you must finish first in a number of races, which gets difficult. In order to rack up the points, I find it is best to stay back with the pack of cars during the first couple of laps. This strategy gives you plenty of opportunities to smash up other cars while you are learning the track. As soon as you get to the last lap, stop crashing into the other racers and just go for the finish line. With a bit of practice you will be able to perfect this technique and maximize your points for each race. In order to win, it is also a good idea to use all the power–up crates to your advantage. Keep track of any repair boxes, and collect them as your car gets damaged. Also, try to pick up as many bonus points as you can, these can be tremendously helpful — the only problem is the bonus points look very similar to the crates that take away points, so be careful! Another tip is while you are racing along in the pack and crashing into other cars, it is very helpful if you pick up a shield to help protect yourself. The power–ups may seem unnecessary, but if you use them correctly, they can send you straight to the winner’s circle.
This title is a must have for all racing fans! Demolition Racer: No Exit is highly addictive, and with good reason — there are tons of tracks, it has great music, wonderful graphics, and best of all huge explosions. The only problem I had with the game was that my friends wouldn’t stop playing long enough to give me a turn!
"Demolition Racer: No Exit is great fun and a jolly good reliever of tension."
