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A.P.I Review:	Streak Hoverboard Racing
Developer:	SingleTrac Studio	OPTIONS:	SCREENSHOTS: No.1   No.2   No.3
Distributor:	GT Interactive	1-2 Player/ 4 Link-up
Game Type:	Hoverboard Racing	Memory Card
Review Date:	December 1998	Dual Shock/Analog Compatible

Setting the Scene

Who-wee!  Now what have we got here...a hoverboard racing game that enables
players to cruise just about anywhere while riding a futuristic surfboard
atop a cushion of air.  Now this is really something different and deserves
a closer look to be sure.

It seems that a wonderful new board has been created using the latest in GEM
(Graviton Electro-Magnetic) technology.  These boards, or blades as they
call them, have the ability to slice through the air and propel the rider at
intense speeds throughout almost any terrain.   

The circuit is a tough one with a lot of challengers that all seem to have
nothing to lose and all seem to be hiding a dark secret past life.  So grab
your GEM blade, bring along a good sense of balance and a thirst for action
because it's time to shred some air!

Genre

Streak is a futuristic hoverboard racing game much like Jet Moto...just
substituting the bike with a groovy GEMblade.

Graphics

Those of you familiar with SingleTrac games (Twisted Metal 1 & 2, Jet Moto,
etc.) will be immediately greeted with what I like to call their signature
graphic style.  To put it plainly, I have always found ST games to contain a
rather grainy, course appearance to them and Streak is no different...sort
of.  It seems that SingleTrac has somehow managed to keep the signature
graphics and yet also found a way to detail everything much more
elaborately.  

The character designs are much better realized in Streak than in other
SingleTrac games.  I found the animation and overall definition to be above
average and relate this to the fact that the only other up front movable
object is the rather small hoverboard.  This must have given the designers a
nice little opportunity to focus more on the characters and background
animations in lieu of having to worry about creating highly detailed cars or
jet bikes.  

Speaking of animations, this game has got a ton of 'em.  The background are
so damn alive that you will often times find yourself slamming into the
scenery that just moments before you were admiring.   In addition to being
"alive" they are also quite imaginative and take track design to a whole new
level of fantasy style racing. 
   
Everything also moves along at a blazing clip...even in the two-player mode!
It's so fast in fact, may of my mates had trouble focusing on the task at
hand...winning!

To be sure, an above average shake at the old graphics tree by the
designers.

Sounds and Effects

Once again in typical SingleTrac fashion, we are greeted with some of the
most fitting tunes to grace a particular style of video game.  The tunes are
nice and grungy with the proper attitude befitting your average Streaker.
There is also a fair share of Pulp Fictionesque style music throughout.  

Sound effects are familiar with all of the proper hits, hisses, crashes and
turbulent noises that you would expect in an action packed racing title.

Playability

 
If you have ever played the either of the Jet Moto games before you will
feel a bit more comfortable than a beginner with Streak.  This is not to say
that it controls and handles exactly the same as those games, but the "feel"
is certainly there and you almost know what you are in for and thusly, what
to expect from both the controls and the tracks on hand.

Starting up the game you are greeted with a slick menu featuring artist
drawings of the characters you can select and scroll through...each with
there own skills and drawbacks  (sound familiar?).  After selecting your
Streaker, it's onto the track selection.  You get 12 tracks to race on with
three immediately available.  You need to win some races to unlock the
others (now does it sounds familiar?).

There is also a neat little tutorial that gives a little background on the
character that you have selected and also gives beginners some very good
pointers on becoming a champion.  After running through the tutorial, the
game will then jump right into the actual circuit and get you racing against
three other Streakers. 

Learning to Streak is little bit attitude, a tad of memory and a lot of
hand-eye coordination.  The course moves along so quickly that in the
beginning you may very well find yourself crashing into walls, floating off
the course or going in the wrong direction after getting a 180.  After a few
cruises around these wonderfully designed tracks though and you should be
ready to at least contend for first place and start opening up more tracks!

There are a few other variables involved to become a successful GEMblade
operator though.  Learning to do various tricks is crucial to success.  You
see, the more successful tricks you manage to pull off, the quicker your
board goes and the more confidence your character builds up.  Of course
there is always the downside of a crash, after which your confidence level
soars to new lows...this is a bad thing.  You also have a limited amount of
turbo boast that you can use throughout the race as long as you act
conservatively and don't drain it all in one punch.

Analog control is excellent once you get the hang of things with buttons set
up for carving left or right, crouching, jump and board grabbing.  The
tracks also feature a nice amount of shortcuts that you will discover either
by skill or dumb luck as you fly down the courses.

As I mentioned earlier, the two-player game is also a blast to play, it may
just take a bit for players to get used to all of the action going on around
you...the screen gets very busy!

Overall, Streak is another great effort from SingleTrac and a damn fine
racer to boot.  

Value for Money

You get 12 tracks, 9 of which need be opened by winning races in various
classes.  You also get a nice varied selection of Streakers to choose
from...all with their own history and reason for being on the circuit.

There is also a very nice two-player game with vertical or horizontal split
screen action and a 4-player link mode that will certainly add some play
time and value to this title.