So the two-player games and new moves are a vast improvement?
'Vast improvement' may be stretching things a little too far, but at least the programmers have taken their lead from 'real' beat 'em ups when it comes to the fighting. Rather than the odd, hopeful slap to an opponent, you can produce 'super punches' that knock 'em right off their bikes, and each flurry comes with its own animation sequence. This at least gives you the motivation to give them a proper kicking, as opposed to flailing the odd arm or leg as you speed by.

What are the riders like?
They're actually split into gangs and you get a different ranking (Grunt, Lieutenant and Captain) within the posse as you progress. Each member has access to different weapons and moves. Perhaps the best bit, and this is most certainly a nod to Need For Speed, is where you get to take on the role of a copper (called the '5-0' mode), hunting down the gangs and enforcing the law in any way you like. No change from real life, then...

And the courses?
They're split into three environments; Alpine (tricky, mountainous tracks for the more experienced rider), Desert (dusty, few bends, lots of fighting because it's so straight) and Urban (the exciting tracks set in towns and cities, the ability to run over pedestrians, you know the sort of thing).

The graphics haven't really improved over the years, have they?
No. And nor have they here, to speak of. This could still pass for a first generation PlayStation game. Shame. Nonetheless, the developers claim that both the engine and the visuals are an improvement and the version we've played is very early. They've still got a couple of months to tweak the thing.

So, I'll be buying this come the autumn?
Hmm. Probably not. One or two additions doth not a great Road Rash game make, but it is certainly better than Road Rash 3D.


* Multiplayer options
* You can be a copper
* More moves, super punches
* Visually, it never seems to improve
* They're flogging a dead horse