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E3 2005: Full Auto
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game: E3 2005: Full Auto
posted by: Laurie Taylor
publisher: SEGA
developer: Pseudo Interactive
platform:
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date posted: 12:00 AM Fri May 20th, 2005
last revision: 12:00 AM Fri May 20th, 2005


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As an arcade style racing game, Full Auto utilizes the power of the Xbox 360 to create amazing graphics.  It also uses that power to populate the race tracks with a variety of elements and detail that we've never seen before. Perhaps Full Auto's first claim to fame will be its backup ability, which allows players to rewind gameplay in much the same manner as Prince of Persia: Sands of Time, or Blinx. While this alone introduces a needed level of forgiveness into racing games, Full Auto is also remarkable for its use of the environment and emergent play, and while Full Auto is an arcade racer - with the overall goal being to cross the finish line first - it also tallies destruction done in each race.

The races take place on several different tracks, each of which is densely packed with different items that can explode, destroying other objects and destroying other cars. Each car has weapons that can further the destructive capability of your vehicle. The game also allows for weapon upgrades that further change the way debris finds its way to the racetrack. Much like quintessential arcade racers such as Rush 2049, Full Auto offers multiple cut-through and short cuts. These fully realized environments allow for different debris to shatter in different ways. With so many objects, instead of the few key elements that can be found in most racing games, Full Auto promises a new level of reality in racing games in terms of both graphical accuracy and depth of game world.

The rich environments are also coupled with dynamic cameras that focus on particularly successful maneuvers, which is a large bonus given the graphics of Full Auto. The graphics in regular play are spectacular in terms of shading, reflection, and overall accuracy and clarity. To these, the rewind segments add an artistically altered version that changes the game colors. While this was done to help players differentiate between regular racing segments and the rewind segments, the effect remains impressive both in terms of gameplay and game artistry.

Like most games planned for the Xbox 360, Full Auto will incorporate Xbox Live support so that up to 8 players can play simultaneously. As a game focused on destruction in addition to racing, the cars in Full Auto are rendered as realistically as possible, but they do not represent real car types. For those looking for real cars from real manufacturers, Project Gotham 3 for the Xbox 360 is in development. Full Auto is expected within the first six months of the Xbox 360 release and it will hopefully be a must have game for fans of arcade racing or emergent gaming.