Extreme-G 3

Extreme G 3- Extreme Gravity Racing
Developer(s)	Acclaim
Publisher(s)	Acclaim Entertainment
Platform(s)	Playstation 2, Gamecube
Release	August 21, 2001
Genre(s)	Racing/Futuristic
Mode(s)	Single player, Multiplayer,Co-Operative

Screenshot of gameplay.

Extreme-G 3 (or XGIII) is a futuristic racing game for the Nintendo GameCube and PlayStation 2. It was developed by Acclaim Cheltenham and published by Acclaim Entertainment. It was released for the PlayStation 2 in North America on August 21, 2001, in Europe on August 31, 2001, and in Japan on September 12, 2002. It was released for the GameCube in North America on November 27, 2001, in Europe on May 3, 2002, and in Japan on March 15, 2002.

It follows a simulator-style look into team racing of the 23rd century, specifically, the existence of Extreme-G racing. Players are one of two riders in one of six teams, all of which vie for glory in the Championship. You start a career in the slowest class, 250G, and eventually compete your way into the 1000G cup, the fastest in the game.

The sound-barrier conventions from Extreme-G 2 are transferred here.

Extreme-G 3 handles weaponry differently, resulting in a significant change in gameplay from the first and second games. In the first and second games, the player could pick up weapons on the track, and firing these weapons would not consume their primary weapon bar. However, in the third game, the player purchases weapons with money won, and firing weapons consumes a small amount of the weapon bar for each shot. Compared to the previous games, Extreme-G 3 offers fewer weapons.

Teams

Each team has their own unique riders, liveries and engine sounds.

Palus-Green and blue liveries (green trail)

Starcom-Light blue (light blue trail) (team requires unlocking)

Vixen-Pink and purple (pink trail)

Terranova-Red, yellow and orange (red trail)

Phase One-Blue and black (blue trail)

Talon-Yellow and purple (yellow trail)

Classes

Each class is unlocked by winning a certain amount of money obtained from races and time trials. Each class is named after the starting engine power. (G is short for Gravitron; the engines in the game are called Gravitron drives, a form of plasma propulsion.)

(250G)- The first class. Rivals don't have advanced weapons (some exceptions). Speeds without boost reach around 350-400 mph (640 km/h) Available engine upgrades-300, 350 and 400G

(500G)- The second class. Rivals will usually have more advanced weapons, mainly rockets. Speeds without boost reach up to 500 mph (800 km/h). It is possible to boost past the sound barrier, especially on a downhill like in Siris Canyon. Available engine upgrades- 550, 600 and 650G

(750G)- The third class. Rivals will have advanced weapons. Mines, missiles, weapon disabler and rear rocket propellant are common. Speeds will quite easily surpass Mach 1 with boost (in game M1 is 740 mph, dulled sound and a blurred picture signify this). Available engine upgrades- 800, 850 and 900G

(1000G)- The fourth and final class. Rivals will have a great ranged of weapons. The speeds are vast and common cruise speeds are over 650 mph (1100 km/h). Boost speeds will usually mean over 1000 mph (1600 km/h). The speedometer will turn yellow and random numbers will show, meaning an accurate speed measurement above 1000 mph is impossible. It could be possible speeds are approaching Mach 2. Available Engine Upgrades- 1100, 1250 and 1500G

Acceleration in the game varies with engine class. A 250G bike will accelerate to 300 mph in around 3 seconds. A bike with a 1500G engine will accelerate from 0-300 mph in under a second (depending on if you use the boost-start technique). 500 mph is easily attainable within 2 seconds.

Tracks

-Lithium League

Muon Harbor (4.8M/7.8 km)- A simple oval shaped track set in a city at dusk. You ride on a track that goes between buildings, under a bridge and over water. It is raced clockwise, reverse the real world norm.

Verdegrand (8.3M/13.4 km)- A swooping track set in flat plains with suspension bridges, wind turbines, waterfalls and an underground twisting track section.

Crystalaria (7.6M/12.3 km)- Set in a snowy, arctic location, this track has many swooping corners and hills, with a few tricky corners.

-Rubidium League

Atradaitoshi (6.4M/10.3 km)- This track is constructed high above the city streets, set at night in heavy rain between skyscrapers, making this a breathtaking track. Vertical hills and tricky jumps makes this track challenging but fun.

Siris Canyon (9.3M/15 km)- This track, the longest in the game is set in a a dry canyon. This track boasts very large drops, twirls and a huge vertical loop which rises well above 200 metres. This track really does eat up shield energy.

Oceania (6.8M/11 km)- This is a track set out in the ocean, with tricky splits and tunnels, it is a very windy and difficult track, not helped by short recharge lanes, but the views are fantastic.

-Caesium League

Tundaria- (6.4M/10.3 km)- This is a fast paced, swooping track set by large cliffs and the sea. Tunnels and helix sections make this a unique track, with lots of changes in direction.

Megalopis 7- (8.2M/13.2 km)- Set at night in a dark city, this track boasts a large distance with many deep drops and tight corners. With a tube section, ramps and a large half corkscrew, this can be a tricky track to master.

Pasiphae 6- (6.5M/10.4 km)- This track is a very difficult one. Set in the pouring rain this track demands a quick response and sharp cornering. This is a twist track with many split sections which drain shields. Added to that boosting and a short recharge lane, this will catch out novice riders, with them being destroyed by the hard shoulders or enemies weapons. This track swoops around a lake, a forest and a dam.

-Francium League (only available in the 1000G Class)

Pion 6- Set in the desert this track is very bumpy, tight and difficult. With 4 laps and a 1000G engine, you will soon wear out your shields. Egyptian temples and pyramids as well as a double helix and tight crossing sections which makes Pasiphae 6 look like childs play.

Weapons

Cannon (available from start)

Rockets

Rear Blasters (shoot flames out damaging opponents nearby. Can also be used for giving the character an extra boost in the race.)

E.M.P (disables all weapons in the vicinity for 3 seconds)

Heat Seeking Missiles

Micro Mines

Leech (Takes shield energy from targeted opponent and gives it to you, effectively converting weapon energy to shield energy using another player as the agent)

De-stabiliser (makes bikes in the vicinity handle erratically)

Flash Mortar (blinds other riders behind)

Rear Turret

Rail Gun

Upgrades

Engines

Weapons

Shield Booster (makes a new 40MegaWatt secondary shield layer)

Ammo Bank (increases weapon ammunition energy storage)

Shield Scoop (increases shield energy pickup speed)

Weapon Scoop (increases weapon energy pickup speed)