For those who've spent years gaming online, the term 'griefing' will bring up fond memories.
The practice of griefing, in online games, involves using legitimate game mechanics to annoy your team mates or the opposing team. It's the gaming equivalent of that mime that won't stop copying your actions. And you can do nothing about it, because if you could, it wouldn't be an effective griefing.
Blur, a fantasy racing game from the same guys who made the Xbox 360's famous Project Gotham Racing series, is designed to give people the tools to grief one another.
You choose a car, select a track and race. Nothing unusual there. Except the racetrack is littered with power-ups that let you target the other racers. It could be as simple as the 'Barge' pickup, which forces opponents away from your car, and possibly into obstacles on the track. Or it could be the heinous 'Shunt', which sends a red ball of energy to track down and take out your nearest foe.
The point isn't to win the race, but rather to make sure the folks in front of you don't take the honours.
There are eight finely-balanced power-ups in total, including one to repair your car and another to speed it up, and they regenerate very quickly, so you're never left without something to use during a race.
Races take place in a variety of real-world cities, but each of the 30-odd tracks is fictional. Departing from the fantasy theme is the selection of 55 cars, which are all licensed, real-world models. Ford, Renault, Audi, BMW and a few exotics are present, lending the game a more serious tone than its Mario Kart peers with their cartoon graphics.
That said, Blur's strong point isn't its visuals. While sharp, with bright colours, it doesn't hold a candle to games like Forza or Burnout Paradise. Sound is good, though, with crashes and explosions really delivering the message that you've been taken out properly.
Sadly, the single player campaign is rather limited, and multiplayer is where the biggest thrills are to be found.
Between four and 20 racers can race together, with the latter number being a guaranteed way to have you cussing and being very unsporting. It's a rough world, out there, and it's better to be prepared for a baptism of fire, before getting to cause some grief in another gamer's life.
In summary
Rating: 83%
Best for: Enthusiast and hard-core gamers
Digital Life says: Fast-paced racing action that can leave you shaking your fist
Plus: Sensation of speed; huge multiplayer section; addictive fun
Minus: Frustrating AI; single player can be bland; average graphics
Contact: Megarom - www.megarom.co.za
Price: R550
Reviewed by Christo van Gemert
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