When you think of Disney, you don’t normally think..producers of a kick ass, highly addicting racing game keeping you up way too late into the wee hours. Well that’s exactly what what happened to me. I clearly underestimated Disney’s ability to turn it up a notch and completely take hold of senses with Split/Second. This game rocks! It has such a pick up & go pace about it. I found myself compelled to finish the solo-campaign as well as constantly go back for more in the multi-player arena.

Split/Second’s premise is that you’re a contestant on a reality show of sorts called coincidentally, ‘Split/Second’. Through a variety of different kind of races (elimination, position based, time challenged, and a few others). Each awarding you more credits the better you do. Additionally, unlocking new cars rather easily and new ‘episodes’ are they are referred to throughout (remember, think a tv show were you’re racing to keep your viewers glued to their set(s) by the destruction being caused to the tracks and other racers by your skills). With earned powerups while racing from successful drifting, jumps, and from what I’d like to call it tailgating – you have the ability use powerups that trigger various environment hazards to try and take out your opponents. If done too soon or too late, you may even wreck yourself…something I’ve done oh too many times. Regardless, you’ll wind up going back for more over and over. In my first sit down I thought I’d play a race a two..2.5 hr later lol…well, you get the point.

Graphics are top notch, no complaints there and I never witnessed any slow down even with alot going on on-screen, in the race and in the background. One of the things that I particularly like about Split/Second, is its choice of music. Gone are the ‘drill it in your brain’ – just plain loud rock type tracks that after a while just never seemed to fit IMHO in fast paced driving games. Instead, they opted to go the pulse route, with pumping instrumentals to get your heart beat..umm…racing! Great game, quick menus and very little load times..with a hot soundtrack to boot? It’s why I’m still jonesing for a race or two before I even get home some days.

Multi-player breaks down like so, you can battle against a friend in 2 player split screen co-op, or go online to play in 8 player match-ups. What’s really worth the bucks is that its not just straight racing. You get 1st to choose what type or racing you’re up for: head to head against 7, survival mode, among some others. At last count I think there were about 12-16 different locales to choose from as well. Cars unlocked in the solo campaign are eligible for use in multi-player (unlike in Blur) as well. Coolness.

Pros:

  • Fast paced, and highly addicting gameplay
  • Well thought out and gorgeous looking levels
  • Driving feel just right, not too over sensitive – nor stiff (with enough variety between cars)
    Cons:

  • Havng to wait at times to join a multi-player game in a lobby instead of simply spectating
  • No mention of new tracks via DLC yet (at time this was written)

Feed Your Console gives Split/Second a score of 8.5/10.