‘EVE’ OFFERS A COURSE IN CRASHES
TEST DRIVE: EVE OF DESTRUCTION
(star)(star)(star)
Publisher: Atari
Platform: PS2/XB
Genre: Racing
Rated: TEEN
“Eve of Destruction” races are real. Seen only on mid-sized speedways and late-night cable, these bizarro destruction derby events are the stuff of 12-year-olds’ dreams. School bus races. Racing cars in reverse. “Suicide” runs where two sets of cars are sent in different directions — on the same track. And now, Atari has boxed up these guilty pleasures in what is sure to be a sleeper hit this fall.
“Test Drive: Eve of Destruction” is a racing game only in that there are indeed cars and a track. But victory is awarded to the last man standing, the driver who can leave mayhem in his wake in a series of demolition matches that come down to more or less a game of chicken. And thankfully, Atari has loaded the tracks with plenty of cars and racing options for hours of crash n’ bash fun.
Those expecting “Burnout”-like speed may be disappointed with “Eve.” But its lumbering brute force tries to make up for it. When two cars crunch into each other, the results are certainly satisfying. But it’s hard not to wish for a little extra juice to really ratchet up the titular destruction.
