Digital Trends

BreakNeck

Strap yourself in a let's go for a ride. I never really was a race sim fan until I got my racing wheel. Now there is BreakNeck from Southpeak Interactive. BreakNeck is pure and simple fun. Take the race to new limits with 43 different cars, including the normal road race cars, some classics, monster four wheel drive trucks, super karts and you can even drive a bus. All the vehicles handle and perform different. Basically this game has it all. From the changeable skins to buying a vehicle, tuning it to your specs, and entering a racing season to earn money and buy better parts or newer cars. You have a ton of options that are sure to keep you busy for quite a while. Ok, so the game has everything, but how does it work? The install went of without a hitch. It comes with a starter to get your video mode and sound setup and your off racing. I would recommend starting with the arcade mode first. You'll want to setup your racing wheel then go to it. The game plays great. Be warned. This is a driving sim and not an arcade, full throttle, blaze through and win the race game. You definitely need to some skill to win. The one thing I noticed right off the bat was how smooth it ran at 1024x768 in 16bit color. I was impressed with absolutely no chopped frames for as good as the graphics are, but this is how it should be. You won't need a high end PC to run it either. Great job on that Southpeak. What I liked
I really liked how the vehicles handled. The handling was like no other racing sim I have ever experienced. You would have to play the game to see what I mean. Also I liked the shoot out mode. This gives you the chance to outfit your car with guns, mines oil slicks and more. The AI drivers are pretty good and seem like they learn and adjust to your driving style. Although this mode was fun, I enjoyed the normal racing season a little more. I also liked the ability to race buses and superkarts. I don't think I have seen bus races anywhere else. The graphics and sun spots on the windshield are worth mentioning too. I also how the sound of the car changed when I drove trough a tunnel or over a covered bridge. What I didn't like
The sounds were kind of chincy. I think they could have done better on this. Who can hear a bird chirping while going 145 mph? The engine noise could have been done a little better too. In Conclusion
I'm going to have to give this 4 and a half cow game a five cow rating. I mean how dumb would half a cow look at the bottom of the page. Minus a couple little things, BreakNeck was fun and has a high entertainment value. Features: 43 different, very detailed cars in the Premium Class, Classic Class, Bonsai Racer Class, etc. complex handling dynamics including independent suspension and body deflection original sounds of super sports cars incredible graphics 24 exciting race tracks in 96 different versions realistic light and shade conditions simulated for day and nighttime racing comprehensive audio backdrops with 3D sound replay mode great special effects different weather conditions, like rain, fog and snow multiple modes, including dueling modes, Career Mode, Knock Out and Time Trials and an uncompromising TIME ATTACK MODE!!! a choice of 20 different weapons systems, including machine-gun, oil-thrower and Marionator "EDDI" - your very own car mechanic and the option to turn him off :-) Network support for up to 8 players -TripleG