Overall Score: 7
Platform: PS2, Xbox, GC
Publisher: Namco
Release Date: 08/31/2003
Pros

• Good graphics and sound effects


• Fair ride customizability


• Unique girlfriends

Cons

• Lack of basic realism [speed variations]


• Difficult control

You have seen this game before, I guarantee it! If you have seen "Too Fast Too Fast" then you have seen this game before. If you have not seen the movie, you need to. Not for any reason other than all import enthusiasts are required to see it. I do not know why they did not call it "Too Fast Too Furious the Videogame." The game even begins with a similar scene as the opening of the movie. You, the player, are an underground street racer. Your goal is to become a street racing legend by hooking up with lots of girls making lots of cash, and earning all the respect you can. If you are looking for a fun import racing game then this is the game for you. But for you serious racing game nuts, you may find this game lacking in comparison to GT3 and other more realistic racing games.

The game features a number of different modes. In street mode you basically ride around the streets of LA, Philadelphia, and Miami doing all kinds of illegal activities, running from the cops, street racing, gambling, etc. A unique element of the game is that there is no sequential order in which you have to progress through the game. There is also the arcade mode which is basically pick a car, track, and race. Of course no racing game would be complete without a split screen multiplayer which is pretty functional for SRS. Although the real "meat and potatoes" of the game is in the street mode with 50 customizable cars, 18 girlfriends with 3 videos a piece, and all the fun stuff like cash and respect points.

Now that you have gone through all the modes, its time to perfect your driving skills and trick out your ride. Like most other underground racing games SRS puts a lot of emphasis on "unrealistically" emphasized drifts, which can take a little time to learn how to do. The physics governing the game space is a little weak. The vehicle crash dynamics will not go too beyond a cracked windshield, even when you get into a head on collision with a semi at 140 mph. Also, it is difficult to gauge varying speeds and acceleration, just like in the movie Fast and Furious you will see a "rubber band" effect as time slows down when you hit the nitrous turning a 10 sec. run into 30 seconds. One place SRS does excel in is it AI. The other racers do not follow a single line and will when possible make it difficult for you to pass. And of course like any real racer they do make mistakes, but you will find it almost impossible to gain a huge lead against cars of similar power.

Basically, when you boil this game down you will find that it caters to glitz and glamour of the street scene, with more emphasis on names rather than realistic racing. Do not get me wrong the game does provide some challenges for the experienced racer. It is a fairly amusing game, but do not expect anything like Grand Turismo.

Title: SRS Street Racing Syndicate
Category: Video Games
Reviewer:
Related Link: SRS Official Website
Added: September 23rd 2004
Viewed: 31 Times
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