Crazy Taxi is the type of game where you either love it for what it is or hate it for its simplicity. I have heard many people arguing that there really isn't any point to the game and that it's a constant loop of just picking up customers and having to drive them to their location. At first I thought so myself but I actually found the game to be a lot more than that. The thing is I agree with both sides. I see how some people need a bigger variety. Action games are low on stories and if you are a story type of gamer these games will get boring quickly. However if you enjoy action this game is far more than just a regular Taxi driving game. Crazy Taxi might be a simple game to some but it only looks that way if it's played for a few minutes. It's actually a deep action packed racing game. Once you play it for a longer period of time you start to master all the moves and it's what makes the game be what it is. If you love racing type of games you will enjoy it. Think of it this way. Most games out there are racing games and many people like them. Now the main point to a racing game is the actual race itself. All you do is just race and try to beat the other opponents. Sounds simple but just like Crazy Taxi there is more to it. What's fun is the extra little things like a little road rage, daring moves, and the adrenaline of the chase. Crazy Taxi is all that and more. Although you don't actually race other cars, you do race against the clock and at the same time have to watch the road, keep the customer happy and drop them off where they asked you to. With all this in the mix it really brings a new way to look at car games. I really have to give Hitmaker credit for this. And besides shouldn't games be judged whether they are fun rather than if they make more sense?
The game is actually divided into two parts. One is the main part where you go around two huge cities. It features the original Arcade city plus a brand new city designed for the Dreamcast version of CT. Inside these modes you can play by Arcade rules meaning taking the cab out for a spin and having only a limited amount of time. If you pick up and drop off a customer in good time it will get you an extra 5 sec added to your overall time. You keep driving as long as you have enough juice. Then there is also the Work for 5 min and 10 min options where you drive for 5 or 10 min max and try to make as much mullah as possible in that time span. The second part of the game is just as fun if not funner. It's sort of like a training/challenge mode. You start off with a few objectives doing all kinds of crazy things like trying to make a long jump or getting to a flag in time and progress to harder and harder levels. Now not only do these expand on the game play they also teach you many new and useful tricks which make your game play in the original mode this much more fun.
The graphics in CT are truly beautiful. This is one of the nicest looking games out there. The graphics are bright and really life-like looking. Few games have that. The impressive thing I appreciate the most in this game is the great amounts of detail. In huge cities like these you can almost see everything imaginable. From tons of people to parks to stations to subways this game has it all. The levels are also different in looks so no where in the city do you feel like you are in a similar spot. Truly some nice work in the graphics section.
What makes Crazy Taxi even better is the amazing soundtrack. The nice rock music fits the games crazy and reckless driving theme. The soundtrack features both Bad Religion and The Offspring. This was a great idea Hitmaker had. By putting in the Offspring and Bad Religion you not only reach more gamers but also provide a solid sound for an excellent game. The pounding music adds even more to the craziness making it even more enjoyable. You will enjoy it even if you aren't a fan of this type of music.
CT's gameplay truly is great. It's what makes this game what it is. The game doesn't have a story so Hitmaker knew they had to make the gameplay right and they did a great job in that. With solid controls and many crazy things to do it's sure to satisfy you. However the games weakest part is its lastability. Like some say this game is fun but it's not one of those games where you can just sit and play it for hours each day. It's great in the action but after a longer time with it you will get bored. I found myself playing it a lot the first 2 weeks and then gradually downshifted. It's one of those fill in games where it shouldn't be used as the only game you play. Nevertheless it is still a fine game to own as you will want to get back into it after a while.
All in all Crazy Taxi might not be very lastable but it's sure a great game. Besides this, everything else is great. I recommend this game to everyone. It's really different from all the other games out there so pick it up and try it for yourself. You might find yourself liking it more than you first thought from the early looks.
-dreamflint |
