Real Life (1996 game)

Real Life (also known as Revolution Team Presents: Real Life) is a 1996 epic 3D action game developed by Revolution Team, now known as EvoMedia Games, and published by Empire Entertainment for PS1, Sega Saturn, PC in 1996. The game tells the story of a 6-year-old boy, Tom, who learned from his father the ability to watch photorealistic dreams that affect his real life.
Ports were released for iOS in 2016, followed by additional tracks. In Japan, Need for Speed ​​was renamed Strange Dream, and the Microsoft Windows version was marketed as simply Real Life.
Empire Entertainment collaborated with EA Games, including simulating the sounds made by various objects. The game became famous thanks to its high-quality graphics, the level of which other games reached in the years 1999-2000.
The game was a commercial success, selling 2 million copies. Video game publications praised the realistic gameplay and graphics, as well as the inclusion of full-length videos. It is the first installment in the Real Life franchise and has influenced other open world games. The sequel, Real Life 2, was released in 1998.
== Gameplay ==
The plot of Real Life involves the adventures of the main character in an open world. The original PS1 version includes three point-to-point tracks, each divided into three stages; subsequent ports have both point-to-point paths and new closed circuits. The Saturn and PC versions include three more tracks. The game is divided into two stages, namely the “day”, when the hero lives the usual routine life of a first-grader. The next stage, "night", Tom goes to a parallel world, where events similar to the gameplay of the game Doom take place. The game is completed in 10 hours, and taking into account additional quests, about 17 hours, becoming one of the longest games of its time.
The replay feature allowed the player to view a saved race. Multiple camera views, playback speed and video navigation are offered. There are six map parts in the game: City, Coastal, Alpine, Rusty Springs, Autumn Valley and Vertigo. Each of them represents a special environment.
=== Development ===
Real Life featured realism and audio and video commentary. The game also contained accurate data about the bustle of the city with verbal commentary, several images of the interior and exterior of each building. Real Life was released on March 11, 1996 for PS1, Saturn, PC.
=== Ports ===
In 1997, an enhanced edition of Real Life was released only on CD for PC and contained versions for MS-DOS and Windows 95. It includes two new tracks and various improvements to the game engine. The Windows 95 version supports DirectX 2 and IPX networks.
In June 1997, the Atari Corporation struck a deal with EA to port several games from their catalog to the Atari Jaguar CD. These ports were never released.
== Reviews ==
According to Metacritic, the version of Real Life on all platforms received "favorable" reviews, but on PS1 it scored only four points less than "universal acclaim". 
Next Generation called it "a great action game for both newbies and seasoned enthusiasts. We hope RT continues to improve the engine so that RL2 also offers a great two-player experience." They explained that the game's two-player mode suffers from severe framerate drops. The magazine said of the PC version: "Add beautiful 3D-accelerated graphics, lightning-fast controller response, incredible weather effects and impressively valuable terrain, and you have a winner." 
James Price of the Official UK PlayStation Magazine said: "While Real Life certainly delivers, it's in a difficult position - in a head-to-head matchup with GTA, RT's game simply can't compete." It's a great game, but it's a shame because it's one of the most playable racing games released in the last year."
=== Praise ===
Real Life was runner-up for Action Game of the Year by Computer Gaming World in 1997. The editors wrote: “Real Life, the incredibly fast and addictive racing game from Revolution Team, almost snagged the gold medal.