Merlin Racing

Graphics: 6.5 Graphically speaking, Merlin Racing gets the job done, but if you come in expecting 'next-gen' graphics, you will be disappointed. 3D models are decidedly low-poly, and overall, the game looks like an N64 game, right down to some excessive blur on larger textures. While that's not saying it looks bad, you do come in expecting more. Every now and then, you do catch a glimpse of an effect that points to something more running under the hood, but overall, what's onscreen just doesn't begin to approach the newer consoles. I will say that the graphics are among the most colorful I've seen in some time, and each of the game's 25 tracks are unique and lavishly detailed, with the more exotic localles, such as Jupiter XZ005, Atlantis City & Neptune Folley being particularly easy on the eyes. It's obvious that extra attention was given to most of the tracks in the game, although there is a dud or two (Summer Swamp & Merlin Moat come to mind, for different reasons). Overall, the visual package isn't bad, just underwhelming by today's standards, and the one or two places where things really look rough only magnify the few legitimate flaws.

Sound: 6.0 The sound in Merlin Racing, is frankly, sad. It's not so much bad as it is disappointing. Effects are standard fare, engines (weakly) revving, tires squealing, missles, exploding, you've heard it all before. As for the music, well, fact is, I've heard better music on cartridge-based systems quite a bit. In fact, I'd say that the soundtrack in Miracle Design's own Atari Karts on the Jaguar is better than the tracks found in Merlin Racing. Sure, the music fits the track settings quite well, with 'festive'-sounding music in the snow levels and tropical drums in the jungle stages, but there really isn't one single tune I can really state as being a 'stand-out.' It does its job, but not all that well. This is a DVD folks. Do better next time...

Gameplay: 8.0 Luckily for you guys, Merlin Racing's strong point is in the gameplay, where it counts. As far as options go, there are plenty, arcade, adventure, time trail, 2-player split screen & tournament (similar to the standard mode in Atari Karts). The real meat is in the adventure mode, where you have to navigate your way through the castle, collecting keys by winning races, which let you open up more races. The real fun is when you collect the magic keys, which allow you to race against boss characters such as Dr. Freo, an evil, snowman type creature who runs rather than use a kart. Here's where things get a bit hairy, for you see, while Merlin Racing may indeed look like a kiddie kart racing game, the bosses are insanely difficult (they cheat!). Or at least they appear to be... They are beatable, but only after you realize how the races are set up. The other gameplay modes are fun, but limited. Since there is no memory card available for NUON yet (hopefully NYKO & HPI will be getting these out soon), Miracle Design went ahead with the tried & true password method, which while adequate, only saves your progress. Obviously it doesn't save times, so in effect, it renders the time trail mode useless. All in all, Merlin Racing is worth the [price]tag, and is as accessible a title as there is. Hopefully Miracle will decide to clean up the game engine a bit and use it for another NUON game, possibly a 3D platformer.

Theme: 7.0 It's a kart racing game, and while they have been terribly overdone of late on just about every platform, there is a good reason for that. The 'Merlin' aspect doesn't quite work (I was hoping to see Arthur and Lancelot in the game...), but the cuddly animals will draw younger players to the game which the difficulty will challenge even experienced gamers. The fact that the characters are a bit nondescript (these aren't Mickey Mouse, Woody Woodpecker, Mario or even a Chocobo) and fairly similar means that there isn't that 'charm' found in other similar games, but when all is said and done, Merlin Racing is good enough to stand on its own, without the need to be propped-up on licenses.

Overall: 7.5 Merlin Racing is a quality title, and most likely, it will be the only one of its kind on NUON for at least a while. While its graphical shortcomings are immediately noticeable, it makes up for them with quality gameplay, multiple modes and sometimes over-the-top difficulty (since it's not cheap difficulty, this is a good thing). Basically this is just one of those titles that could look and sound better, but plays well enough that you ultimately forget to notice those aspects the more you play. At any rate, it's good to have something other than Ballistic to play, and as kart racers go, you could do worse, especially at the price, which is as little as [an amount smaller than you'd think]

Some NUON gamers say that the game is too difficult and sometimes on the frustrating side. Make no mistake, the game is difficult (you'll often find yourself comfortably in 1st place only to blasted from behind by an opponent's well-placed homing missile...you'll come in second place ALOT), but I've played the game enough to come away with an impression that the difficulty is just right. Yes, there are some unfair moments, but you must truly master the layout of the track and learn to conserve your weapons for the precise moment in order to beat a level. You'll truly feel like you've accomplished something when you finally beat a track you've played through several times! Besides, you can use the Time Trial option (just you and no opponents) to allow yourself the opportunity to learn the specifics of each track.
The option I feel makes this the best kart racing game ever is the Adventure Mode. Tons of levels and secrets to uncover and its a clever way to boost the replayability of an already awesome game! I'd have to say this is the best [money] I've spent on a video game in quite some time! Don't let the cartoony look of the game keep you from playing this! This is not a kid's game! Until we see Iron Soldier 3 re-released, this is the best Nuon game you can buy!