Ford Racing (video game)
First entry in the Ford Racing series.
Empire Interactive published Ford Racing, a racing game for Windows and PlayStation. Elite Systems developed the Windows version, released on November 2, 2000, while Toolbox Design handled the PlayStation version, which launched on January 29, 2001. The first title in the Ford Racing series, it earned mixed reviews. It became a downloadable PS one Classic on the PlayStation Store in May 2009, playable on PlayStation 3 and PSP.
Quick Facts
- Developer
- Elite Systems (Windows); Toolbox Design (PlayStation)
- Publisher
- Empire Interactive
- Genre
- Racing
- Modes
- Single player
- Platforms
- PlayStation, Windows
- Producer
- Windows:
- Steve Wilcox
- Nick Halstead
- Ashton Fletcher
- PlayStation:
- Danny Rawles
- Ben Tuszynski
- Programmer
- Windows:
- Dave Taylor
- Adrian Jones
- Dave Cotterill
- Mark Williams
- PlayStation:
- Ashley Thwaites
- Peter Marshal
- Artist
- Windows:
- Mike Snyder
- PlayStation:
- Mike Baker
Facts from the source article.
Gameplay
The PC version includes 12 Ford vehicles and 10 tracks, while the PlayStation version has 11 vehicles and eight tracks; none are based on real locations. Players start with a Ford Ka and unlock other vehicles through progression. Each vehicle has two models for the years 1997 to 2000, totaling eight versions per vehicle. Career Mode awards prize money for upgrades, and an optional action replay is available after races. The PlayStation version includes multiplayer, which the PC version lacks.
Reception
The PlayStation version holds a Metacritic score of 53 and the PC version a score of 51, both indicating mixed or average reviews. Critics faulted the AI drivers for ramming the player's vehicle. David Zdyrko of IGN criticized the PlayStation version's graphics, music, sound effects, and track designs, noting that vehicles resembled real counterparts but fell short of Gran Turismo's models. Shahed Ahmed of GameSpot also criticized the graphics and complained that only dull, slow vehicles are available initially, with faster cars and cool tracks needing to be unlocked. Ahmed wrote that despite strong control mechanics and an advanced physics engine, the game has many flaws, though Ford fans may find novelty at its bargain price. Laurie Emerson of GameZone praised every aspect of the PlayStation version, calling it a winner on all counts. Rita Courtney of GameZone praised the PC version's gameplay and graphics but noted scarce instructions and the requirement for a 3-D accelerator card. Dave Woods of PC Zone criticized the controls, graphics, and lack of multiplayer, concluding that the game was a cruel disappointment.
More in PlayStation Game Library of the 2000s
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