Codex Gamicus
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Re-Volt
File:Re-Volt Coverart.png
Developer(s) Probe Ltd, later Acclaim Cheltenham
Publisher(s) Acclaim Entertainment, later Throwback Entertainment
Designer Paul Phippen and Simon Harrison
Engine Modified GT Engine
status Status Missing
Release date July 31, 1999
Genre Racing, Simulation
Mode(s) Single player, multiplayer
Age rating(s) ESRB: Everyone (E)
Platform(s) PlayStation, Arcade, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo 64, Dreamcast
Arcade system Arcade System Missing
Media
Input
Requirements 32 MB of RAM, 200 Mhz Pentium Class CPU, 200 Megabytes of free Hard Disk space
Credits | Soundtrack | Codes | Walkthrough

Re-Volt is a radio control car racing themed video game released by Acclaim Entertainment in 1999. It made appearances on the PlayStation, PC, Nintendo 64 and Dreamcast, with a spinoff: RC Revenge for PlayStation and a enhanced port called RC Revenge Pro for PlayStation 2. In addition, a stripped down version of Re-volt was issued to beta testers of the Xbox Live service prior to the launch of the service on the original Xbox system, but much to the disappointment of fans - a more complete version was never released on the Microsoft console. A Modified version of Re-Volt was released to the arcade machines, but very little is known about the arcade version.

Gameplay

The game featured 28 stock cars and 14 tracks including a stunt arena for free roaming. Cars come in three fuel variants; electric, glow (internal combustion) and special. The players driving ability will place them into various categories so that they race against other cars of similar capabilities. These capabilities are classified in categories which are: Rookie, Amateur, Advanced, Semi-Pro and Pro. Tracks are also categorized depending on their difficulty to master and win. These categories are: Easy, Medium, Hard and Extreme. Cars and tracks are both unlocked through success in the game's tournament modes.

Single Race allows 2-4 players on the Console Versions and 2-12 players on the PC Version to race on the normal, single-player tracks. Within each race, competitors race to be the first to complete a pre-set number of laps of the circuit. To aid them in this there are a variety of lightning-bolt shaped pick-ups lying around the track. Collecting one of these provides the player with a random weapon varying from oil slicks to fireworks to batteries that increase your speed for a short period of time. The worse a player is doing in the race, the more likely one of the better weapons will be obtained, and vice versa.

Track Editor

All versions of the game include a Track Editor. On the console versions, this works by means of a series of set modules that can be put together to form a potentially infinite number of different combinations. Modules include bridges, straights, corners, chicanes and pipes. Each module can be adjusted in multiple ways, from height above ground level to gradient of hill to radius of corner. Pick-ups can be added afterwards to the completed track, which must then be exported before it can be played. Exported tracks can be played in Single Race with 1-4 players or in multiplayer.

Multiplayer

Re-Volt's multiplayer mode has two game modes: "Single Race" and "Battle Tag." In the console versions of the game, multiplayer is played via split screen, whereas the PC version is online only, hence single screen.

In Single Race, players can race against each other in the standard races, although custom races can be selected using certain methods.

Battle Tag puts players in one of four special arenas: Neighborhood, Garden, Supermarket and Museum. The players must find and pick up a star that is hidden somewhere in the level. When a player takes the star, their timer starts counting down. By coming within proximity of the player with the star, other players can steal the star, thus starting his timer and stopping the opponent's. A player wins when his timer runs out. In addition, the player can let its car jump by using the 'Reposition' key, instead of really repositioning its car, as the arenas don't have a set course.

Legacy

Though Acclaim Entertainment is now defunct, some fans give support to the game with hundreds of fanmade vehicles and maps, as well as custom online servers. Fans have also created a Windows based chat/lobby client RV House which allows people to connect and play together however even with fan sites support the process is playing a game for a new player can be very difficult. Players and servers are still active as of July 2010 with records of fastest laps and new maps and car still being added.

As of 2004 the future of the series is still unknown, despite Throwback Entertainment confirmed a next generation version.

External links

ar:ريفولت ca:Re-Volt fa:ری-ولت fr:Re-Volt nl:Re-Volt pt:Re-Volt fi:Re-Volt sv:Re-Volt

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