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Ski-Doo X-Team Racing Review |
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Written by David Thompson
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Monday, 28 January 2008 |
 Ski-Doo X-Team Racing is designed to provide the exciting fun of snowmobile riding at any time of the year. I wanted to try this game out because I have never played a game like this before and it looked pretty interesting. So here is what I discovered about Resolution Interactive’s Ski-Doo X-Team Racing.
Let’s Go for a Ride
After making the online purchase (you can also purchase the game at your local electronics retail store) and completing the download of the full version of the game (a little more than 80MB download), I ran the installer. After the installation completed, I encountered an audio error message when I tried to launch the game. Don’t fret as Resolution Interactive included a fix with the program’s installation. If you go to the program’s folder (named “Resolution Interactive” in your Program Files directory, you will find a folder in there named “A2D FOR SOUND COMPATIBILITY.” Just double click the file “a2ddrivers312.exe” and this will fix the issue. The next time you launch the game, you should not encounter that problem again.
Now that you’ve launched into the game, it’s time to take a closer look.
You are given a number of options in the main menu where you can customize the game. You are given the option of playing in championship races or practice rounds. I would suggest since you’re starting out that you try a few practice rides first. This will help you get used to your snowmobile and the conditions of the game. The menu also provides features such as hosting a game, joining an online game, customizing your player and your ride, change the game’s configuration (such as the game controls, system features, graphics and the game’s sound), replay races (very cool feature) and practice records. You can choose various configurations of snowmobiles to suit your preference. Some of the features include a freestyle, 440 or 800 model, studs, lug height, front drop, swaybar and clutch while some of the snowmobile features include acceleration, steering, floatation, stability and traction. Choosing the right ride is as important as your technique.
I was surprised by the very realistic game play of Ski-Doo X-Team Racing. I guess the inexpensive price tag threw me off. The most important aspect in the game is maintaining control of your snowmobile. You have to learn how to maneuver your snowmobile around the curves without spinning out of control or falling completely off when coming down on a landing. Making these mistakes will cost you time and the race. Sharpen your skills in the practice rounds and you will be able to win easily.
The only thing that I would have liked would have been more barriers along the sides of the tracks. On the winding sections of some tracks, I found myself getting confused on the location of the track and even with the arrow guide directing me towards the proper direction, it was sometimes hard to distinguish the actual trail. The track does contain some marks in the snow that would indicate the trail but it would have been nice to have those extra barriers for a little more guidance.
The Final Word
I found Resolution Interactive’s Ski-Doo X-Team Racing to be an incredible amount of fun. The game’s screenshots on the official website look very enticing but you should give the free downloadable demo a try. Once you try it, you will want to get the full version. Ski-Doo X-Team Racing has plenty of custom configurations that you can utilize in the game. Don’t stick with the same snowmobile for every race because you will definitely notice that advantages and disadvantages of certain snowmobiles on the various tracks.
The one thing that will stand out among the game’s features is the wildly realistic physics. The snowmobile has a weighted feel to it and you will notice it when you make your turns, jumps and landings. Overall, I think you will be impressed with the graphics, design and overall game experience but most of all is the game’s low cost. Resolution Interactive has done an excellent job in developing this title. Ski-Doo X-Team Racing is an inexpensive, five-star game that should provide plenty of fun this winter season.
System Requirements
Processor: Pentium II 400 MHz or equivalent (Pentium III 600 MHz recommended)
Memory: 64 MB RAM (128 MB RAM recommended)
Video: 16 MB OpenGL compatible 3D accelerator (32 MB recommended)
Audio: 16 bit PC sound card (3D support recommended)
Operating system: Windows 95 / 98 / ME / 2000 / XP
Hard drive space: 250 MB
Direct X 7.0 or later
Keyboard and mouse
You can click HERE to purchase Ski-Doo X-Team Racing from Resolution Interactive’s website.
About Resolution Interactive
Resolution Interactive AB was founded in 2003 by former employees at computer game developer Daydream Software AB. Resolution acquired the rights to several ideas, concepts, published games and technologies that our crew was leading in developing during 6 years at Daydream. Resolution owns the successful online games Clusterball® and then Ski-Doo® X-Team Racing™ as well as the pioneering network API Autobahn empowering them, a technology capable of connecting continents and mass-market customers in real-time 3D independent of platform and connection quality.
Please visit them online at the company’s official website at http://www.resolutioninteractive.com/
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