Quantum Redshift is an above average futuristic combat racing game for the Xbox that, despite becoming frustrating in its later stages, offers an enjoyable racing experience.
The game consists of several modes of play, including a tournament mode, in which players compete against computer-controlled opponents through a series of must-win races; a time attack mode, where players race by themselves to get new race time records; and a multi-player mode which supports up to four players.
Most of the single player experience can be found in the tournament mode, which features five levels of difficulty ranging from easy to extremely difficult.
Seven of the game's 16 characters are available from the start of the game, and each has a nemesis character which can be unlocked by beating the amateur tournament with one of the original seven.
While racing, players pick up blue, yellow and red power-ups, which charge up their hover jet's missiles, shields and homing missiles, respectively.
These itmes provide the tools for players to damage and destroy their competitors, as well as to protect themselves from incoming attacks and help win the race. Everything can be upgraded using money won from the races.
The game's race tracks offer a good bit of terrain variety, such as snowy mountain tracks, desert temples, water-based courses and futuristic cities.
Graphically, Quantum Redshift is certainly pleasing, offering impressive texturing of the well-rendered track surfaces and environments, excellent lighting and blurring effects, as well as an awesome water effect in which drops of water splash up on the player's screen and bead up, only to be pushed away by the high wind speeds produced by the races.
The soundtrack to the game is lacking, consisting entirely of bland, unexciting techno songs that will likely grate on the player quickly and do not promote much of a pulse pounding racing atmosphere.
Thankfully, players can create custom soundtracks for the game by copying CDs to the Xbox hard drive and then choosing the songs from within the game's sound options menu.
The sound effects, such as the engine noises, weapon firings and explosions, are more than serviceable however, and provide satisfying accents to the gameplay.
For reasons unknown, Curly Monsters, the game's developer, saw fit to include a storyline to the game
These stories intertwine the different characters' pasts and reveal events through cut scenes of boring ,but unintentionally humorous, dialogue shown before each race.
These plots are incredibly convoluted and disjointed, not to mention poorly voice acted. However pointless, these stories do not detract from the gameplay at all and can be skipped.
All in all, Quantum Redshift is a fun, accessible and exciting racing game with a good sense of speed and some interesting gameplay elements.
The game is worth at least a rental by fans of these weapon-based arcade games and a good bit of extended replay can be garnered from it if the player has a couple of friends who would be interested in some multi-player gaming.
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