Ford Racing: Off Road

You always tend to get a little cautious when a game that spawns from a real-life brand. They often look like they belong in the bargain bin of a thrift shop or something that comes with a console because they can't sell it. Ford Racing: Off Road is a racing game that gives that impression. Honestly, nothing attractive about it whatsoever.

What's slightly more enticing about Ford Racing: Off Road, though, is it's the only game to feature a specific car set. Those who enjoy Land Rovers can get excited, as they are exclusive to this offer. However, that is by no means that the game is going to be good. If you do what I do and judge a book by its cover, we're not looking like we're in for a treat here.

Land Rover, Ho!

I stand by the idea that racing games are not easy to screw up. Their generally limited mechanics provide a platform for any genre game to spring off of - no matter how obscure you plan to take the theme. Ford Racing: Off Road's real-world association perhaps serves as the game's downfall. For a video game, it's hits reality just a bit too much on the head.

Like Ford cars, the gameplay feels like an average offering to fill a void and nothing more. You'll get a decent list of vehicles to race with, including that famed Land Rover, but nothing seems to really excite players. Each lap consists of still controls plummeting through a few different tracks in urban areas and out in the country - hardly off-road to being with.

To speak in favor of Ford Racing: Off Road - the visuals are actually quite good. I suppose they would have to be decent to adequately represent the brand's cars and highlight their features with gorgeous backdrops. However, the gameplay does no justice to the beautifully crafted graphics. It's almost wasteful how such a good-looking game goes to pot.

Game modes are similar, the AI is dire, control schematics are obnoxious - honestly, you could go on forever complaining. But you probably could have guessed by looking at it that Ford Racing: Off Road was never going to be a good game. However, it still manages to worsen already established racing mechanics by making everything stiffer than it needs to be.

Off-Road Into a Cliff

There's a point where you wonder why publishers bother with these types of games. Could the turnover be worth the cost put into development? Maybe there is a sizeable demographics that's been wholly excited about a Ford branded game. Who knows? All I can say from my perspective is that Ford Racing: Off Road is not a good racing game.

Pros:

• Visuals for cars and environments look good
• Race as a Land Rover

Cons:

• Controls are stiff and frustrating
• Game modes feel all the same
• Opponent AI is aggressive and unintelligent