Thoughts on Ignite
By Kyle Mann | November 14, 2011 | Features | 8 comments | Share
Nemesys Games is a small game development studio that created the Fortix series, consisting of fun, puzzle-y arcade action. So it took me by surprise to find out their most recent game is an over-the-top 3D racer for the PC. Ignite is one part Burnout and one part Trackmania, and it’s a worthwhile racing romp at just the right price.
Taking you through a series of races on different tracks across a region, Ignite‘s main gimmick relies on a basic points accumulation system, which fills the cars’ boost meters. Running over obstacles, sliding through corners, and executing draft maneuvers all contribute towards igniting the vehicles’ boost. This is when the game gets crazy: by continuously gathering points while in nitro mode, players can rocket forward indefinitely, getting up to crazy speeds. But there’s a big catch in that scores will deduct from your track time at the end of a race, lending a bit of a tactical edge to the otherwise standard nitro mechanic.
It’s a lot of fun, if a bit simplistic. The game it reminded me of most was the Asphalt mobile series that concentrated on the same brand of nitro system that makes Ignite work. Despite not breaking a lot of ground for the genre, the game offers a wide array of races, tracks, and game modes to explore. From a campaign mode to unlock all the races to a freeplay allowing custom races and rules, all the way to a full-fledged multiplayer mode, this racer has plenty of content to keep racing fans’ engines revving.
On a technical level, it’s an impressive feat for an indie studio: graphics, while not neck-and-neck with the latest and greatest of the genre, are consistently good and augment the sense of speed quite nicely. My Logitech gamepad was recognized instantly and worked flawlessly–including force feedback–an achievement I can’t say most AAA games can even live up to nowadays, sadly. The game offers the full range of screen resolutions, 4:3 and widescreen alike, and performs beautifully even on my mid-range system.
Ignite isn’t going to revolutionize the racing genre, but it just might fill a niche for racing gamers on a budget. The physics don’t live up to Trackmania‘s arcade slant, the game’s not competing with the likes of Gran Turismo for a realism crown, but in the end it’s just about right for the $20 price tag. There’s also a new demo for the game out, so you can kick the tires a bit before making a call. Oh, and we’ve got a few Steam copies to give away, so leave a comment on this post and we’ll email the winners on Wednesday, November 16.
Update: I’ve emailed the three winners. Enjoy the game!
hope i win
Nice review! How could you compare the game to the Flatout series?
I always found $60 too much for a racing game, maybe that is, because I can't play the same racing game for long, but this one, definitely looks nice and seems like they got the pricing part right as well. I don't always need perfection and the most revolutionizing gameplay, sometimes it's enough to just have fun.
That said, I still wouldn't mind getting it for free ;)
Great game!
Comment
very well detailed , probably after reading this review might buy the game myself if i dont win here
I already Want this games
Great Looking Games!