Publisher: THQ
Developer: Synetic

Racing games are like the simulation genre's Myst, making gamers wonder why so many new versions keep coming with little new to offer. Each generation of first-person shooters brings dramatic new levels, new weapons, new enemies, new adventures, and the obligatory graphics upgrade. New racing games bring, well, the obligatory graphics upgrade and the same tracks and cars as the last version had. So Breakneck comes along and proves a surprise! It lacks the graphics upgrade but throws nearly everything else into the box.

Breakneck tries to be all things to all players. It has an arcade mode, a campaign mode, classic cars, high-powered concept cars, monster trucks, semis, sports cars, and cars with guns. There are tracks in locales around the world, different variations on the combat enabled races, and the ability in the expert mode to buy and sell cars and tweak them in the garage. The expert game also tasks players with managing their finances, finding sponsors, filling their race schedule, and doing research on their opponents.

This proverbial jack-of-all-trades, however, is also the proverbial master of none. Players can find better matches for their specific interests in racing, whether it be realistic formula racing (CART Racing or CART Precision Racing), NASCAR racing (NASCAR Racing 3), stylish combat (Interstate '76 or Re-Volt), rally-type racing (Need for Speed or any of the rally racers out there), extreme racing (Monster Truck Madness), or city racing (Midtown Madness). Sometimes, it's tough to remember how many racing games have skidded across our hard drives.

Breakneck is a pure arcade racer. Its physics are silly, cars flamboyant, damage model forgiving, and explosions plentiful. The 3D vehicles look good and the tracks and backgrounds sport decent 2D graphics. The working rear view mirrors look great. Combat sound effects and pyrotechnics are bland but get the job done. We also like that most vehicles have unique characteristics. The monster trucks bounce and take air, the go-carts are slippery and quick, the semi cabs are slow and powerful, and the sports cars are the kings of speed.