PixelJunk Racers

Infobox VG| title = PixelJunk Racers


developer = Q-Games
publisher = SCE
designer =
engine =
released = September 13th, 2007
genre = Puzzle, Racing
modes =
ratings = ESRB: E (Everyone)
platforms = PlayStation 3
media = Download
input = Sixaxis, Dual Shock 3
resolution = 720p, 1080i, 1080p (HDTV)
480p/576p (EDTV)
480i/576i (SDTV)

"PixelJunk Racers" is a puzzle, racing game developed by Q-Games for the PlayStation 3. It was released on the PlayStation Store on September 13th, 2007 as the first title in the "PixelJunk" series.

Gameplay

Bearing structural similarity to slot car racing games, the tracks of "PixelJunk Racers" consist of five separate lanes within which the cars move. The camera is always fixed above the circuit, giving an aerial overview of the entire track. The commands a player can execute are; changing lanes, controlling the throttle, and honking the horn.

There are 32 gameplay modes available out of 16 core modes.cite web
url = http://www.us.playstation.com/PS3/Games/PixelJunk_Racers
title = PixelJunk Racers page on Playstation.com
accessdate = 2007-11-26
publisher = SCEA
quote = 16 core racing modes with varying degrees of difficulty for a total of 32 modes [...] Full HD at 1080p [...] Speed through 10 richly detailed courses.] Core racing modes have up to three levels of difficulty (Normal, Turbo and Master) varying with the speed of the gameplay. There is a total of 10 tracks on which each mode can be played.

The single player mode includes a tournament, free racing (Quick Race), and Score Attack. In Score Attack, the player's best score in any mode is ranked online, and scores appear on PlayStation Network leaderboards. The multiplayer mode is exclusively offline, and up to seven players may simultaneously play the game on the same console.

Modes

Some gameplay modes include:
*Speed Monkey, in which the player has to avoid and overtake as many cars as possible. The player's speed increases in proportion with the number of cars overtaken.
*Hot Pursuit, in which the player has to crash into a specific car as much as possible.
*Hot Rods, in which the player has to race against four opponents while avoiding other cars.
*The Munchies, in which crashing into other cars fuels the player's vehicle in order for it to keep racing.

Reception

VG Reviews
width = 25em
rev1=1UP.com
rev1Score=D+cite web|url=http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3162871|title= PixelJunk Racers Review|publisher=1UP.com|accessdate=2008-07-03]
rev2=GameSpot
rev2Score=7.0/10cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/ps3/driving/pixeljunkracers/review.html?mode=gsreview|title=PixelJunk Racers for PlayStation 3 Review|publisher=GameSpot|accessdate=2008-07-03]
rev3=IGN
rev3Score=5.2/10cite web|url=http://ps3.ign.com/articles/819/819773p1.html|title=PixelJunk Racers review|publisher=IGN|accessdate=2008-07-03]

GR=63%cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/942053.asp|title=PixelJunk Racers Reviews|publisher=Game Rankings|accessdate=2008-07-03]
MC=62/100cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/ps3/pixeljunkracers|title=PixelJunk Racers (ps3:2007): Reviews|publisher=Metacritic|accessdate=2008-07-03] Upon its release, "PixelJunk Racers" received mediocre reviews from game criticism outlets. The variety of gameplay modes was praised by some critics, though IGN asserted that the "diverse game types can't quite save the core mechanics", calling them "aggravatingly repetitive". The difficulty of the game in general was unappealing to many reviewers. In a review from 1UP.com, a phenomenon was noted in which the enemy cars would fill up all five lanes, making them impassable. Gameplay instances such as this were described as "controller-hurlingly frustrating".

Another significant criticism stems from the lack of online multiplayer capabilities. The only online component of the game involves comparing high scores with other players. However, "PixelJunk Racers" does support up to seven players offline; GameSpot suggested this feature would make it an enjoyable party game, even if organizing a seven-player session in one area could be considered a hassle.

References

External links

* [http://pixeljunk.jp/ Screenshots from official japanese site]
* [http://kotaku.com/gaming/e307/pixeljunk-racers-screens-277980.php Screenshots from Kotaku]
* [http://media.ps3.ign.com/media/896/896828/vids_1.html Video on IGN]
* [http://www.n4g.com/ps3/News-56718.aspx Video on N4G]