Amiga Computing - Commodore Is Awesome

INTRODUCTION
are really building a reputation for
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top-quality
ow Zealand
software
company.
at
Acid
the
Softw
moment.
Just a few months ago they released the
superb Guardian, a 3D isometric shoot-'em•
up. then followed Roadkill, a stunning overhead
racer.
This time they are once again concentrating
their efforts on another racer - one that has a
hard act to follow if it wants to live up to the
reputation of its predecessor. Yes, it's the
sequel to their highly acclaimed race-'em-up,
Skidmarks and has many new features. There
are new cars, caravan towing and new
tracks a-plenty, but with all the current
racers around can it still stand up to the
competition?
Fun race-'em-ups are undergoing a bit of a revival
of late. We've had Team 17's ATR which scored a
healthy 89 per cent, and was packed with playability
thanks to being able to win money to soup
up your car. ATR also had some very nice looking,
varied tracks with tunnels and oil slicks on the
road, and although there were only three cars
they all handled significantly different, However,
in Skidmarks 2 it actually feels more competitive
and the rough and tumble approach works well as
you all scramble to the finish.
Skidmarks 2 will also have to watch its back
from the new competition, Arcane's racer Turbo
Trax, which also looks very promising.
Another fun racer that springs to mind is Micro
Machines - the tabletop matchbox car game that
had you racing around school desks and kitchen
tables. Although Skidmarks 2 is set in 'proper' surroundings,
it does remind me of Micro machines
in it's chaotic, fun and cutesy approach_
This time round, Skids' 2 has a lot of advantages
over its rivals with its many options, multiplayer
features and many screen modes. It also has
millions of cars to choose from - where else can
you race cows towing caravans?!
She cars look robrivt and as though they will
stand up to the rough and tumble garner:day
Yes, I t's cows towing caravans - you can
see why the y're ca lle d Acid Softwa re
All the drHe re nt backdrops look good and are va rie d
There a re sortie ve ry windy tra cks and you'll
have to think a bout whe re you're going
GRAPHICS
The original Skidrriarks was never the most graphically
high-tech of racing games but was definitely
one of the most appealing. It gave the genre a
whole new slant with a real fun, almost cute, look
to it with Its miniature matchbox•type cars.
Skidmarks 2 has kept this same approach and made
it even better.
As stated before, there are the vehicles from the
original plus others, including the option to race
some cows and tow caravans! This all looks terrific
and adds a very humorous touch. The different cars
are all fantastic, from the VVVs to the Midget, and
there is even the option to change their colours
And we 're oft - ge t re a dy to burn rubber.
Oh no, boy racer mode se tting in again
Super
Pellisher
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Price:1191P
Cert: beer
Pere flee mete: Yes
Coetril eyelet Joystickillikure
Seppirts: MI blies Ill']
81001 mares
from the blues and greens to a fluorescent tone.
There are many more tracks included this time
with a variety of different settings. There's an icy
terrain, a desert, and a Grand Prix circuit among
others, and each works really well with bright
colourful backdrops and plenty of detail. Miniature
spectators fit in with the cute style, and other additions
such as signs and advertising hoardings look
good.
A lot of the graphics have been designed with
the gameplay in mind, for example, textured tracks
and ramps have been included to provide a more
challenging race, but they also look good - especially
when the cars leap up into the air over the
bumps!
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