Alfa Romeo Racing Italiano

Infobox VG
title = Alfa Romeo Racing Italiano


developer = Milestone S.r.l.
publisher = Valcon Games (PlayStation 2)
Black Bean (Xbox)
designer =
engine =
released = vgrelease|NA=March 16, 2006 (PlayStation 2) [cite web | url = http://www.gamefaqs.com/console/ps2/data/931906.html| title = Release date (PlayStation 2) | publisher = Game FAQs | date = | accessdate = 2008-07-07]
vgrelease|NA=June 24, 2005 (Xbox) [cite web | url = http://www.gamestats.com/objects/726/726239/| title = Release date (Xbox) | publisher = Game Stats | date = | accessdate = 2008-07-07]
genre = Racing w/ role-playing game elements
modes = Single-player, multiplayer
ratings = vgratings|ESRB=Everyone
platforms = PlayStation 2, Xbox
media = one (1) DVD-ROM
requirements =
input = PlayStation 2 controller(s)

"Alfa Romeo Racing Italiano" is a PlayStation 2 and Xbox racing game that is similar to the Gran Turismo series. This game was lauded for its superior artificial intelligence when compared to "Gran Turismo 4". There is a lack of overall variety in the cars and in the race tracks; making it somewhat inferior to "Gran Turismo 4". Pit stops are disabled due to the low number of laps that each race has; the maximum number of laps permitted for a race is 9 (nine) laps. However, the average race is about 4-5 (four to five) laps. The game's unique "Tiger Effect" mode has the ability to "repair" a vehicle in lieu of pit stops if used judiciously enough.

Game play

The game uses a system that is almost identical to a console role-playing game. This elaborate system of developing the character's experience is used to toughen up both the player and his car. All the courses are in Italy with the exception of Donington Park (UK), Hockenheimring (Germany) and Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca (California, USA). After a huge collision, the game's unique "Tiger Effect" allows players to go back and time and solve the problem in the style of a "butterfly effect" [cite web | url = http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/ps2/alfaromeoracingitaliano| title = Basic overview | publisher = Meta Critic | date = | accessdate = 2008-07-07] .

While the "Tiger Effect" cannot always make the player avoid accidents, it can either mitigate the effects of the accident or actually make it worse (in rare instances). "Tiger Effect" points are decreased by units of 1.0 every time they are used. For instance, using a "Tiger Effect" when a player has 1.7 "Tiger Effect" points will reduce his "Tiger Effects" points to 0.7; making it useless until the counter increases itself by 0.3 points. Building up points in "anticipation" can help increase the frequency that the player can turn back the clock and try to prevent accidents in a single race. Likewise, building up points in "medic" can help the player heal faster so that he is less likely to lose focus on the race track.

Equipment and cars

Cars cannot be customized; instead it is the driver who gets customized with new gear to improve his statistics. Like in "EverQuest", all the gear that is unlocked in the game has a minimum level requirement. Players who do not meet the minimum requirements cannot wear the new gear until they reach that experience level. All computer-controlled drivers are purely fictional. All gear from helmets to boots are won either by winning "gear races," for acquiring a certain number of victories (as well as knockouts), and by passing challenges. Knockouts occur by causing an opponent to lose all of his driver condition points - not by smashing his car until he is forced to retire from the race. Experience points are gained by completing courses. Failing to finish the race cancels all XP earned on the track; similar to the way that XP is lost after dying in some role-playing games. All cars in the game are manufactured in real life by Alfa Romeo; it is impossibile to choose a vehicle except for the "quick race" mode [cite web | url = http://ps2.ign.com/articles/719/719295p1.html| title = Summary | publisher = IGN | date = | accessdate = 2008-07-07] .

Cars assigned to beginners can go up to 110 miles per hour (177 kilometres per hour); advanced cars can go faster than NASCAR stock cars (more than 200 miles per hour or 321.9 kilometers per hour). Special experience points are rewarded when the player breaks a certain speed barrier and goes faster than a certain speed in dynasty mode.

References