Star Wars: Episode 1. Racer, PC, £39.99
What a bland title. If a tag like Racer sold games there would be lots of other hits out there called things such as Shooter, Golfer or Footballer. But Racer is a Star Wars game so it will sell by the truckload - which it would do even if it were a poor game. Racer, however, is good - very good even.
Based on the Podracer sequence in the new movie, it offers the chance to drive one of these amazing machines around 21 tracks on eight worlds. The makers claim a simulated 600 m.p.h. speed for the Podracers and that's what it feels like, especially when blazing around a corner to find a huge rock obstacle with only a tiny gap to fly through.
Winning the first few races is not very difficult, but staying in the top four and moving up to the next course becomes increasingly difficult. Shooting, as such, is not part of the game, but unlocking Sebulba's Podracer gains the use of its flamejet. Prize money can be used to pay pit droids to repair the racer, or to buy upgrades and spares. This section of the game is badly implemented, though, so it is difficult to know what's needed and how it will improve the racer's performance.
That aside, Racer is very enjoyable, with smooth and responsive controls and a wide variety of tracks. Some of the tracks look so good that a driver could be tempted to slow down and take the scenic route, almost, if the racing wasn't so gripping.
Recommended: Pentium 200/64MB/3D accel/Win 9x
Star Wars: Episode 1. The Phantom Menace, PC, £39.99
While Racer might spoil a little of the fun, this adventure/role playing game could ruin the surprises of the movie for anyone who plays it beforehand. It follows the course of the film very closely, so those who like to be surprised in the cinema shouldn't play before the film's release on July 16th.
The player takes on the roles of Obi-Wan Kenobi, Qui-Gon Jinn, Queen Amidala and Captain Panaka and joins in the epic events covered by the movie. Much time is spent playing the two main Jedi - Obi-Wa and Qui Gon - so mastery of the lightsaber and some Jedi powers is essential for progress through the game.
A lot of time is also spent trying to jump across chasms and the like. This is often very frustrating, with strange camera angles and what feels like a random chance of success. To make matters worse, these jumps are required throughout the game.
Solving various puzzles, fighting droids and ultimately taking on Darth Maul make up the rest of a game that is not the greatest of its kind. That said, it certainly holds the player's attention, with the aid of atmospheric sound, graphics and cut scenes from the movie. You will want to come back for more, despite those unfair jumps.
Recommended: Pentium 200/32MB/3D accel/Win 9x
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Cheat
Star Wars: Episode 1. The Phantom Menace
During play, hit Backspace and enter one of these codes in the red box which appears:
from above - Top view camera perspective
perfection - Causes Obi-Wan or Qui-Gon Jinn to deflect blaster shots perfectly
slowmo - Slow motion
i like to cheat - Gives you all the weapons with full ammo.
heal it up - Gives you 100 per cent health
drop a beat - Distorts vision
iamqueen - Play as the Queen
iamquigon - Play as Qui-Gon Jinn
iamobi - Play as Obi-Wan
iampanaka - Play as Captain Panaka
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