FUEL

Platform(s): PC, Xbox
Genre: Racing
Publisher: Dreamcatcher
Developer: Firetoad

About Judy

As WP's managing editor, I edit review and preview articles, attempt to keep up with the frantic pace of Rainier's news posts, and keep our reviewers on deadline, which is akin to herding cats. When I have a moment to myself and don't have my nose in a book, I like to play action/RPG, adventure and platforming games.

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'Fuel' (PC/Xbox) - Screens

by Judy on Nov. 5, 2004 @ 7:48 a.m. PST

FUEL is the motor-head's action-thinking, vehicular marathon. In this adrenaline filled, present-day racing game you choose between one of eight characters, adapting your game play to their unique strengths and weaknesses.

As you progress through the tournament, you will be required to control your character while on foot, in a dune buggy, a speed boat, and even a helicopter. You will be required to navigate across a vast terrain all the while switching your mode of travel. Each stage of the race will require slightly different tactics in how you get to the next checkpoint.

While your running in-between vehicles, you will have to jump over obstacles, swim through shark infested waters, and avoid being side-swiped by other competitors or their vehicles. All of these factors affect your personal stamina or "FUEL METER", which will effect how long you can sprint or how quickly you end up getting to your next vehicle location.

There are no rules in this all out frantic race. This is a no holds barred free-for-all, to see who can get to the finish line first by any means possible. The winner of the race is not necessarily the fastest player as a smart player will know when to conserve energy for the upcoming obstacles.

The characters will be taken from across the world to compete in the wildest televised reality television motor sports race ever for the grand prize of $1,000,000. Racing ability is not the only skill to be successful in FUEL. Being able to navigate areas on foot and being able to find the vehicle that best suits your needs is crucial to winning the tournament.

“With next-generation graphics and exhilarating gameplay, FUEL will leverage all of the advanced gaming capabilities on the Xbox,” said Richard Wah Kan, CEO of DreamCatcher Interactive. “With FUEL for the Xbox, we’ve added another top-notch title to DreamCatcher’s great 2002 product lineup. A lineup that has something for everyone—PC or console fans, racers, and all-out action–seekers."

FUEL is a character-based interactive racing game that takes place on land, in the air and on the water. Instead of just picking a car and jumping in, the player will need to choose their character before they head to the starting line. Since each character initially has different strengths and attributes, choosing the right character to fit the player’s gaming style is just as important as picking the right vehicle for the task, as players will need to run, jump and swim from checkpoint to checkpoint.

Why are skills like running and jumping important in a racing game? In addition to driving vehicles, FUEL players are free to leave their cars, take shortcuts, and muscle their way past other players to get to better vehicles. Racing from one parking lot to another, being chased by equally aggressive competitors, FUEL drivers are locked in a no-holds-barred world of anything-goes-racing.

In FUEL, racing-game fans get to tear-up the track with different vehicle types in every environment and terrain imaginable. Players can choose from dune buggies, SUVs, powerboats, and helicopters — each type uniquely suited to different parts of FUEL’s ever-changing worlds. FUEL’s immersive game-engine features complex character animation and environment systems for maximum realism. It could be a clear morning when a player starts the race, and a rainy evening by the time he crosses the finish-line. In addition to single-player races against FUEL’s cagey AI, players can engage in multiplayer matches via the Internet or LAN.


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