Summary
- Release Year: 1992
- Genres: Fighting, Racing
- Platforms: Sega Mega Drive/Genesis
- Developers: Electronic Arts
- Publishers: Electronic Arts, Tec Toy
Road Rash II (1992): The Ultimate 2-Player Racing Game
Released in 1992, Road Rash II is the sequel to the highly successful Road Rash, and it takes everything that made the original great and cranks it up to 11. With its fast-paced racing, brutal combat, and innovative split-screen multiplayer, Road Rash II is one of the most iconic racing games of all time.
Gameplay
Road Rash II is a 2D motorcycle racing game in which players compete against each other on a variety of tracks, each with its own unique obstacles and hazards. The game’s main objective is to cross the finish line first, but players can also earn points by knocking their opponents off their bikes or by performing stunts.
One of the things that makes Road Rash II so unique is its combat system. Players can use a variety of weapons to attack their opponents, including punches, kicks, chains, and even baseball bats. Combat is brutal and unforgiving, and it’s not uncommon for players to be knocked off their bikes or even killed.
Another thing that sets Road Rash II apart from other racing games is its split-screen multiplayer mode. This mode allows two players to compete against each other on the same screen, and it’s a lot of fun. The split-screen mode is also very competitive, and it can be just as challenging as the single-player mode.
Tracks
Road Rash II features a total of 5 tracks, each with its own unique environment and challenges. The tracks are:
- California Coastal – A long and winding track that takes players along the California coastline.
- Nevada Desert – A short and dusty track that takes players through the Nevada desert.
- Rocky Mountains – A challenging track that takes players through the Rocky Mountains.
- New York City – A chaotic track that takes players through the streets of New York City.
- Tokyo – A futuristic track that takes players through the neon-lit streets of Tokyo.
Each track in Road Rash II is filled with obstacles and hazards, such as traffic, pedestrians, and even animals. Players must be careful to avoid these obstacles, or they will risk crashing and losing the race.
Weapons
Road Rash II features a variety of weapons that players can use to attack their opponents. These weapons include:
- Punches – The most basic weapon in the game, punches can be used to knock opponents off their bikes.
- Kicks – More powerful than punches, kicks can knock opponents off their bikes or even kill them.
- Chains – Chains are a powerful weapon that can be used to knock opponents off their bikes or even wrap around their necks and strangle them.
- Baseball bats – Baseball bats are the most powerful weapon in the game, and they can be used to kill opponents with a single blow.
Players can also find weapons scattered around the tracks, such as rocks and bottles. These weapons can be used to attack opponents or to defend themselves.
Characters
Road Rash II features a cast of 8 playable characters, each with their own unique stats and abilities. These characters are:
- Blaze – A well-rounded character with good speed, acceleration, and handling.
- Cyrus – A heavy character with good strength and durability, but poor speed and acceleration.
- Jade – A female character with good speed and handling, but poor strength and durability.
- Nitro – A fast character with good acceleration, but poor handling and durability.
- Pitbull – A tough character with good strength and durability, but poor speed and acceleration.
- Sasha – A female character with good speed and handling, but poor strength and durability.
- Snake – A fast character with good acceleration, but poor handling and durability.
- Wolf – A heavy character with good strength and durability, but poor speed and acceleration.
Players can choose to play as any of these characters, and each character has their own unique strengths and weaknesses.
Graphics and Sound
Road Rash II’s graphics are impressive for its time. The tracks are detailed and colorful, and the characters are well-animated. The game’s sound is also very good, with a heavy metal soundtrack that fits the game’s fast-paced and brutal gameplay.
Legacy
Road Rash II is considered to be one of the greatest racing games of all time. It was a critical and commercial success, and it helped to popularize the racing genre on consoles. The game has been ported to a variety of platforms over the years, and it is still enjoyed by gamers today.
Road Rash II is a classic racing game that is still a lot of fun to play today. Its fast-paced gameplay, brutal combat, and innovative split-screen multiplayer mode make it a must-play for any fan of racing games.
Review Score
8.5/10
