Baja: Edge of Control

Developer: 2XL
Publisher: THQ
Release Date: Sept. 22, 2008
Systems: PS3 (reviewed), Xbox 360
ESRB Rating: E
Official Web site

In a nutshell: On the good side of the edge.

0:00 Frankly, a racing game with the words "Edge of Control" in the title doesn't really inspire confidence. That said, they sent me the game, so I'm more than happy to try it out.

0:01 Photorealistic rally cars tear across the desert amidst some generic heavy metal. Oh, wait, this is a high-definition video intro. No wonder the cars look so good. Why don't more games have live video in their intros? Are they afraid the game won't look as good in comparison?

0:02 By default, the sound options have the engine volume set all the way up and the in-game music nearly all the way down. Yeah ... let's reverse that...

0:03 There are 10 -- count 'em, 10 -- preset control options. No option to totally customize the controls, though. The existence of a "Request Repair" button is a little worrisome.

0:04 Traction options are "Full," "Partial" and "Off." So, if I turn off traction, will it be like driving on ice?

0:05 Off to the "Baja Career." The difficulties are Easy and Hard. Hmm. Easy sounds too easy, but I'm afraid Hard will be too hard. If only there were something in between ... something ... Medium...

Read the full review at Crispy Gamer