This review was first published in Edge issue 15, December 1994
Codemasters, well known as a stack ‘em high, sell ‘em low budget label, surprised everyone in 1992 with the highly original Micro Machines. On the surface it was just another top-down racer, but it was distinguished by a superb twoplayer option and well-themed levels inspired by the Micro Machines model cars tie-in.
In Micro Machines 2, the single-screen twoplayer race mode has been tweaked slightly to accommodate extra cars. The screen scrolling keeps up with the lead car, and if a car goes offscreen it drops out of the race. When one racer has burnt off all the others it scores a point (the first car out loses one) and the other cars rejoin the race. The player with the most points at the end of the race wins.
There’s a natural balance to this system which makes for very exciting games. The leader drives close to the edge of the screen and has to trust his memory, his reactions and his luck to stay on the course, while the tail-ender has an easier drive as he can see more of the track in front.
The simultaneous eightplayer option – apparently the first of its kind – puts two players on the same pad, one using the keys, another the direction pad. It works fairly well but it’s a little too awkward to play for long.
The 54 new tracks, 16 vechicles and new play options, including a league, a tournament, team play and time trials with battery backed-up lap records, extend the life of both the multiplayer and the oneplayer game.
Anyone who has played Micro Machines knows what a great little game it is. This sequel expands the concept so much that it’s practically irresistible. Mega Drive owners will have to wait a long time to find a more playable cartridge.
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Source http://www.edge-online.com/review/classic-review-micro-machines-2-mega-drive/
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