Speaking of the races, Ridge Racer 6 features several modes of play. The first mode you’re likely to test out is the World Xplorer mode. With 230 different race events, 30 tracks to choose from, and over 130 vehicles, it will take some time to work your way through World Xplorer. The race events are spread out in a gird format that’s sectioned off into four classes. As you progress through World Xplorer, you’ll move up in class and have access to faster cars. Completing a full grid section (usually around five or six races) will earn yourself a new car as well.
You can also partake in single races that are separate from World Xplorer, race against a friend sitting next to you on the couch, or take your game online to race against players from around the world. Up to ten players can participate in online races, and you can even download ghost races for top tracks, upload your own best times and ghosts or even purchase new cars in the Xbox Live Marketplace. The online play was smooth in most parts and works out very well.
Not everything about Ridge Racer 6 is good though. The announcer will get extremely annoying with a quickness. You do have the option to mute the announcer, or choose several other announcer options once you have unlocked them, but it’s hard to understand why Namco would go with such an annoying "DJ" as the default announcer. In addition, the game takes over 30 seconds to load a race. You’ll get used to it after awhile, and this seems to be a normal thing for Xbox 360 games since there’s so much RAM to fill up, but it’s not fun waiting 30 seconds for a single race to load.
Look at those flames!
Ridge Racer 6 is the first next generation Ridge Racer title, and while the game does look somewhat rushed to make the Xbox 360 launch, it’s the best looking Ridge Racer title to date. The cars steal the show, looking far better than any other aspects of the game, but the lighting effects during night courses and in tunnels are spectacular. The background can be a bit drab, and honestly we’d expect a bit more from the Xbox 360, but as you’re racing you won’t be paying much attention to them anyway.
When all is said and done, Ridge Racer 6 offers a worthwhile racing experience on the Xbox 360. By focusing more on an arcade-style racing game, it separates itself well from PGR3 and the underground racer, Need for Speed. The extensive World Xplorer mode and endless replay value offered via Xbox Live racing will help to keep this title fresh for months. It does have a few minor downfalls, and the loading time is especially troublesome, but overall it’s a very solid purchase for any Xbox 360 racing fan.
