First Impressions: Fast as Cel
Cel-shading has infiltrated almost every genre of video gaming. Making its debut on the adventure sports title Jet Set Radio, it catapulted into RPGs such as Dark Cloud 2, platformers like Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus, even first-person shooters such as the soon to be released XIII. Even with the current obsession with cel-shading, many gamers were still surprised by Capcom’s decision to make a cel-shaded racer, as most racing games eschew cartoony graphics for a more realistic presentation. Playstation 2 owners made their verdict earlier this year, and soon, Gamecube owners will be getting a chance to judge this decision for themselves.
Despite its gimmicky graphics, Auto Modellista is offering a lot to racing fans, allowing players almost unprecedented customization to their vehicle of choice. Players are able to choose from real vehicles, including Fords, Nissans, Hondas, Mitsubishis, Chevys, Dodges, and even some concept cars. You can also adjust the car’s parts, such as brakes, suspension, and tires, although it doesn’t possess the car-garage mechanic and sometimes overwhelming depth of Grand Turismo. Players can also alter their car’s appearance, making a vehicle unique to their personal style by designing a decal through the game’s decal editor, adding or removing spoilers, choosing rims, changing headlights, changing the paint job, and much more.
The cel-shaded graphics, though seminal, are beautifully executed and one of the most lauded aspects of the PS2 version, and that should translate easily to the Gamecube as well. The cars, the background, and the appearance of speed are all being done nicely, the cel-shading giving a blend of bright, cartoon-like colors and graphic realism that is easy on the eyes and quite enjoyable.
However, the control scheme for the PS2 version was a source of heated controversy. There were a large number of players that felt the handling of the cars was too difficult or was just plain badly implemented. It is unlikely that the controls will change very much for this translation, and only time will tell if the Gamecube controller and programming will make a better game. Of course, one obvious area where the PS2 version will outdistance its Gamecube cousin will be in online play, which the Gamecube version will lack completely.
Auto Modellista will come with an Arcade mode for players just looking to race, and a Garage mode for gamers seeking a deeper experience. The Garage mode will also give players the opportunity to unlock new cars, new parts, and new extras for their garage through racing and completing different goals. You will also be able to race against your friends in split-screen mode, race against ghost cars in time trials, and view and edit replays.
