From: ramsays@access.digex.com (Scott Ramsay)
Newsgroups: rec.games.video
Subject: GENESIS: Road Rash 2 is out! (review)
Date: 3 Jan 1993 16:39:04 GMT
Organization: Express Access Online Communications, Greenbelt, MD USA
Distribution: world
NNTP-Posting-Host: access.digex.com

  I'm suprised that no one has mentioned this on the net yet.  I 
picked it up at Software ETC. on friday.  I have the first RR, IMHO
can say its a definate improvement. (Esp. in the controlling, and two
player modes)

   The graphics are basically the same.  The scaled houses are larger
so when you smack against them they look like real-houses not doll 
houses.  There are most side stuff.  Like Billboards, etc.  The tracks
are based on states.  Vermont is very colorfull.  The dashboard is more
similar to race bikes.
  The  in-between-race-animation scenes are hilarious!  The wipeouts are 
funny and there is also a hidden suprise that I won't tell.  ;>

  There are four modes of play, Single play, Two-player(take turns), 
Two-player(split screen), and Two-player(duel).  The duel mode only you
and a friend race (no computer racers). You pick the weapons 
(none,club,chain) and go at it. BTW the chain is the best.  It can take
out people the fastest.

   The two player-split screen is really good.  But it suffers from the 
same problems as Sonic 2, (too small).  It doesn't really slow down.  The 
only gripe I had with it was that when I buy a new bike (say a new color
bike),  player 2's bike color would change to the same color also.  

   The game IS harder!  I could not do the one-punch-knock-the-biker
off.  You really have to fight.  They also fight better.  I ACTUALLY
GOT PUNCHED OFF MY BIKE! (That never happend to me in the first game, and 
I finished Road Rash 1)  
   There are more cops, more road blocks, more jumps, more cop cars, etc.   
The nice thing is (I have nothing against police :) ) that you can knock the
police of their bikes. Some of them even use clubs!
   There is more JUNK on the road.  even litte red things on the side for
jumping.

   There are more bikes to choose from.  Three sets.  Lite bikes, Super, and  
nitro.  The nitro bikes are cool!  You press the B-button twice and you
get a quick burst of speed (remember to keep you finger on the B button 
on the second press), you only get four nitros per race.

   The music is like the traditional EA games. Nothing new there.  I don't
know about sound effects though.  They make a drum sound when you collide
bikes.  With the music off, you can hear the bike sound... It still sounds
like a high-pitched kid's bike.

   The between race interface is alot better.  It's done with selection 
menus instead of the confusing A-B-C selection.  (Passwords are shorter too.)

   Ok more about controlling,  you can now tell the difference between
the controls between bikes.  The heavy bikes definately take longer to
react.  The first bike has good control.  It still is sensitive.  But alot
better than RR1.  The A-B-C buttons are the same. A-break C-gas B-fight.

  There are also minor touches.  Like the end of the race.  The other
bikers actually stop and wait at the finish line. (There also is a nice zoom
out if you win)

  I think I covered most of it.  For all you Road Rash 1 owners, I recommend
to go out and get it.

----
  Scott Ramsay
  ramsays@access.digex.com