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ATV Simulator |
Copyright/Publisher: Codemasters, Programming By: Digital Persuasion,
Concept By: Tim Miller,
Music By: David Whittaker,
Release Year: 1987, Genre: Racing Sports, Number Of Players: 1 or 2
ATV Simulator is a split screen race game where one or two players take control
of an all-terrain vehicle and attempt to score the fastest times over a
series of off-road courses.
Each course is filled with hazards which the vehicles negotiate. However, if an
obstacle is tackled too fast, the driver is dismounted and precious seconds are
lost while he remounts. If the timer reaches 30 seconds before the finishing line is crossed, the game ends.
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Julian Rignall |
This shoudl be called Poor Man's Kikstart Simulator, as it tries to emulate the
classic scrambling formula, but fails completely. The split-screen action could
have been fun, but unfortunately the control method is very poor, and all you
ahve to do is tackle obstacles at the correct speed.
once you know which speeds to go at, you've mastered the game. The graphics
are very bland, and the sound unremarkable. Kikstart I and II (complete with editor)
are both available at the same price - I know which ones I'd rather buy.
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S.J. |
Comparisons to the Kikstart games are unavoidable when looking at
ATV Simulator, since both the screen layout and game style are very similar.
Unfortunately the Code Masters offering provides a good deal less enjoyment
than did its predecessors, practically bordering on the unplayable. The game
looks awful, with bland backdrops and an incompetent ATV and rider.
Control of the ATV is overly simple: consisting of fast, slow and 'wheelie'
- it certainly doesn't simulate the ATV's I've been on. Generally, a rather
shoddy program - to be avoided at all costs.
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