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Racing Lagoon

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Developer(s)Square Product Development Division 2
Publisher(s)Square
Director(s)Hitoshi Sasaki
Producer(s)Akitoshi Kawazu
Designer(s)Tsukasa Fujita
Programmer(s)Tetsuji Iwasaki
Artist(s)Takaharu Matsuo
Writer(s)Motomu Toriyama
Composer(s)Noriko Matsueda
Takahito Eguchi
Platform(s)PlayStation
Genre(s)Racing video game
Role-playing
Mode(s)Single-player

Racing Lagoon (レーシングラグーン, Rēshingu Lagūn) is a 1999 video game developed and published by Square. The game is unique in that it combines street racing with role-playing elements. The game's story follows a new member of a street racing team in 1999 Yokohama, Japan as he tries to learn about his forgotten past and a mysterious race that took place ten years prior to the game's opening. Released for the PlayStation, the game is compatible with the Sony PocketStation. The game's music was composed by Noriko Matsueda as a jazz/techno fusion; she was joined by Takahito Eguchi as his first compositional role, and the soundtrack was released as an album. The game received poor reviews in Japan and was never released outside of the country, but still sold over 100,000 copies.

Gameplay

The game features street-races that are initiated by flashing headlights at other drivers. Players are able to customize their car colors and other parts, and beating another driver entitles the player to pieces of the defeated car.[1] The game features two modes: a "High Speed Driving RPG" mode, where the player drives around taking missions and racing other drivers, and a "2 Warriors Battle Mode", where the player simply competes in races. The RPG mode is the primary portion of the game.[2]

Setting and story

Racing Lagoon plot takes place in Yokohama, Japan, in 1999, and centers on several groups of street racers. 10 years prior to the game an event called "Fastest Legend" took place. One night, Team Bay Lagoon Racing (BLR), a five-member team led by "The Ace", Ikki Fujisawa, holds a race against Night Racers Honmuku (NR). The story follows one of BLR's newly joined members, Sho Akasaki, who is just beginning his racing career. Akasaki is determined to find out about the mystery of the "Fastest Legend", as well as his forgotten past.

Characters

Bay Lagoon Racing (BLR)

  • Sho Akasaki (playable character, the name allowed to change by players)

A new member of Bay Lagoon Racing, begins the story of his racing career with the two-tone white and black 86-Lev (Toyota Corolla Levin). He's determined to find out about the mystery of the legend 10 years ago, as well as his forgotten past: his involvement in the D-Project of WON-TEC. His search leads him to finding out that he was the one that became the legend 10 years ago, driving a silver Zeta3000 (Nissan Fairlady Z32) and was the first test subject for the D-Project, he was also the one that caused the incident that ended the legend, and the lives of his fellow Diablo drivers. He switches over to a blue Zeta3000 at the end of the game, racing with Fujisawa after the latter recovers from the effects of the final battle.

  • Ikki Fujisawa

Leader of Bay Lagoon Racing who drives a two-tone red and black RS2000turbo (Nissan Skyline DR30), he is a former member of the Hakone DRIFT DANCERS. He was one of the contestants for the YOKOHAMA GP championship round, where he's defeated by Akasaki. Looking to get even with Akasaki, he challenges him to a Taiman battle around the Bay Lagoon area, where he crashes on the same corner that Makoto Sawaki did. After leaving the hospital, he drives the DiabloZETA (Nissan Fairlady Z32) for WON-TEC during the Darkness GP and a DiabloTUNE version of his RS2000turbo in the final battle, though his consumption of the Diablo drugs leaves him hospitalized after the final battle. He recovers and is seen racing Akasaki on his RS2000turbo, having gotten rid of its DiabloTUNE.

  • Kyoji Nanba

Associate team leader of Bay Lagoon Racing who drives a two-tone blue and black Seven-RX (Mazda RX-7 FC) and works at the gas station (GS) in South Yokohama. He's defeated by Akasaki when his Seven-RX suffered an engine blow during the BLR qualifying battle for the representative in the YOKOHAMA GP. His bitter defeat drives him into challenging Akasaki into a Taiman battle with his Seven-RX that had DiabloTUNE and leaves the team afterwards. He later dies when he crashes into the port of Yokohama in the eve of the YOKOHAMA GP Qualifiers, physically and mentally unstable due to the Diablo drugs he took to be able to control the DiabloTUNE car.

  • Yamada Kenzo

The youngest member of Bay Lagoon Racing who drives a two-tone blue and yellow CVC1600 (Honda Civic). During the early part of the story, he is saved by Akasaki when he is cornered by thugs along the cemetery area. He then helps Akasaki search for Yuka when she goes missing, telling him about the Ishikawa brothers' involvement. He is last seen injured by the WON-TEC building, beaten up by WON-TEC personnel to send a message to Akasaki prior to the Darkness GP.

  • Yuka Suzuki

The only female member of Bay Lagoon Racing and Akasaki's girlfriends. Her car is a two-tone red and pink Micro GT (Mini). She first gets kidnapped by the Ishikawa brothers in an attempt to intimidate BLR, but is quickly rescued by Akasaki with the help of the Night Racers' Makoto Sawaki. She then accompanies Akira Tsujimoto in helping Akasaki escape when the latter is trapped in the Bay Lagoon Tower.

Night Racers Honmoku (NR)

  • Akira Tsujimoto

Leader of the Night Racers who drives the purple X1800 turbo (Nissan 180SX), rival to Ikki Fujisawa and also one of the South Yokohama representatives for the YOKOHAMA GP, racing in both the qualifying and championship rounds. A very close friend to his second-in-command, Makoto Sawaki, he is deeply affected when Sawaki crashes during the Taiman battle against Akasaki, and disbands the Night Racers when BLR's Nanba dies in a crash, and Sawaki succumbs to his coma. In the final episode Tsujimoto, along with Suzuki, helps Akasaki to escape out of the WON-TEC buildings. He joins BLR at the end of the game.

  • Makoto Sawaki

Tsujimoto's most trusted member of the Night Racers who drives a white Sil-14Q (Nissan Silvia) and the initial rival to Sho Akasaki. Compared to the Ishikawa brothers, he is friendly towards their rival team, even helping Akasaki rescue Yuka Suzuki when she was kidnapped. During the team battle between NR and BLR, his Taiman battle with Akasaki ends tragically as crashes out on the second to the last corner of the Bay Lagoon route. Akasaki rescues him out of his burning Sil-14 but the crash leaves him comatose. After the YOKOHAMA GP Qualifiers, he succumbs to his injuries and dies in the hospital.

  • Keisuke Ishikawa

A member of the Night Racers who drives an orange GRA-SI (Honda Integra). A jealous person, he does not take well to his defeat to Akasaki in the first team race and goes on to kidnap his girlfriend Yuka Suzuki with his younger brother Shinsuke, which leads him to getting hit by Sawaki. This later causes him to turn his back on the Night Racers and collaborate with WON-TEC to kidnap Akasaki. His fate at the end of the game is unknown.

  • Shinsuke Ishikawa

A member of the Night Racers and Keisuke's younger brother. His car is a green CVC1600 (Honda Civic), he and his brother kidnap Yuka Suzuki of BLR after the former loses to Akasaki in the first team race. He does not follow his brother when he defects to WON-TEC and does not seem to even be aware of his intentions.

Queen's Motomachi

  • Yui Tachikawa

Leader of the all-women team Queen's Motomachi, her team that specializes in the drag racing events on tight, short course in the Yokohama Chinatown. Her car is a pink Wagon660 (Suzuki Wagon R). She later takes part in the YOKOHAMA GP Qualifiers, but ultimately loses out to BLR's Fujisawa and Akasaki, and NR's Tsujimoto. She appears to have a rivalry with Sakuragicho GT's Kawasaki.

  • Yoko Mihara

Another member of Queen's Motomachi who works on the restaurant JOHNNY'S. She is the one who introduced Akasaki to the Chinatown Drag events, and is often found hanging out here. Her car, like the rest of the Queen's Motomachi team, is a Wagon660 (Suzuki Wagon R), hers painted in light blue color. When her team drives to North Yokohama to challenge other teams, she gets at odds with Victory Road Takashima's leader Freddie Roberts before the start of the chicken race at the quay.

Sakuragicho GT

  • Tetsuji Kawasaki

Leader of Sakuragicho GT, a drag racing team in North Yokohama known for their Zokky (Bōsōzoku) styled-cars, he drives a violet Cancer (Toyota Chaser). He also takes part in the YOKOHAMA GP Qualifiers. He shares some sort of rivalry with Queen's Motoamachi leader Yui Tachikawa.

VICTORY ROAD Takashima (VR)

  • Freddie Roberts

American leader of the VICTORY ROAD Takashima team, famous for the chicken game-style racing at the quay in North Yokohama. He is known for being able to stop the closest to the edge of the quay in the chicken races. He drives a two-tone black and gold Danger-V8 (Chevrolet Camaro), that he uses to take part in the Qualifying round of the YOKOHAMA GP.

Hakone DRIFT DANCERS

  • Miharu Koguchi

Leader of the Hakone DRIFT DANCERS, his car is a light blue X1800 (Nissan 180SX). He serves as the primary rival to BLR during their trip to Hakone. He is an old friend and mentor of Ikki Fujisawa, who he defeated in their race before when Fujisawa still raced with a two-tone red and black 86Lev (Toyota Corolla Levin). Along with Manabu Oda, he introduces Akasaki to the legend of 10 years ago. He also competes in the YOKOHAMA GP finals.

  • Kato Geinji

A member of the Hakone DRIFT DANCERS, his car is a black car SW2000 (Toyota-MR2).

  • Ryo Yamazaki

Member of the Hakone DRIFT DANCERS, his car is a red Celine-1928 (Toyota Celica).

  • Kinoshita Keiichi

Member of the Hakone DRIFT DANCERS, his car is the white and lavender tone Thunder86 (Toyota Sprinter Trueno).

RR WEST

  • Kyoka Shiina

The leader of team RR WEST and one of the contestants for YOKOHAMA GP. Her car is a black 32TypeR (Nissan Skyline R32).

  • Haruka Shiina

Daikoku WAVES

  • Shingo Muraoka

Leader of the Daikoku WAVES and the host of the Daikoku PA gymkhana race event. His car is a white Avenue (Nissan Avenir).

GALE WANGAN

  • Tensei Yabuki

Leader of the GALE WANGAN team, his car is a red and white tone 33TypeR (Nissan Skyline R33). He is one of the competitors in the YOKOHAMA GP finals.

  • BLOOD REDS

C-1 Road Stars

  • Chouji Todoroki

Former team leader of the C-1 Road Stars 10 years ago. His car is a dark blue Elephant (Mitsubishi Pajero). He tells Akasaki of his encounter with the legend from 10 years ago, informing him that the legendary racer drove an odd-looking Zeta3000 (DiabloZeta).

  • Gamou Kusunoki

The current team leader of the C-1 Road Stars. His car is a gold and black tone car RZ-3000 (Toyota Supra). Prior to meeting him and Todoroki, Akasaki competes against him in the YOKOHAMA GP finals.

TEAM595

  • Kozo Amemura

A wandering racer along C1, his car is a White SEVEN-FD (Mazda-RX-7).

  • WHITE TIGER

A female wanderer of C1, her car is White COSMIC-RE (Mazda Cosmo).

  • Ginji Moriwaki

The third of the wanderers of C1 is White RZ-3000 (Toyota Supra).

WON-TEC

  • Lee Won

The president of WON-TEC, the organization that manufactures the Diablo drugs and the parts for the DiabloTUNE cars.

  • Heidel Schneider

A German member of WON-TEC, who is responsible for the D-Project and organized the Darkness GP race. He is the one that gave Akasaki his Diablo drugs and DiabloZeta 10 years ago, and the one that subjected him to the D-Sleep program after Akasaki killed all of the other D-Project drivers in a large scale car crash. After the destruction of the Bay Lagoon Tower, he ambushes Lee Won and shoots him dead before Akasaki could hit him with a steel pipe. He then challenges Akasaki to one final race along the crumbling roads surrounding the tower, and his black Germany TURBO (Porsche 911) falls in a burning crevice on the road, killing him.

  • John Truth

The British leader and member of the WON-TEC racers. His car is a red Nightmare (Lotus Europa) with a Union Jack flag on the door.

  • Forza Rush

An Italian member of the WON-TEC racers. His car is a red Scuderia12 (Ferrari Testarossa).

  • Satoru Kawashima

A researcher known for leading the development of the Diablo drugs for the D-Project. He was confronted by Akasaki in his laboratory at the Forget Hill, and he quickly recognized the BLR driver as the project's earliest test subject. He reveals the secrets of the D-Project to him and gives him a disk that contains all the information about WON-TEC and their involvement in the legend of 10 years ago that culminated in the deaths of several DiabloZeta drivers, and their involvement in the current resurgence of the Diablo that started with Kyoji Nanba's death. WON-TEC tried to capture him as they followed Akasaki to the mountain, but he made his escape with his blue WR-2000 (Subaru Impreza WRX), but his escape fails when his car crashes and he is shot dead by Schneider.

  • Aoi Kawashima

Satoru's sister, and Ikki Fujisawa's lover. She was involved with Akasaki 10 years ago while acting as a spy for WON-TEC, though her secret was discovered when Akasaki discovers a stash of Diablo drugs in her apartment, which drives him to cause the incident that ended the lives of several DiabloZeta drivers as well as the legend of 10 years ago. She is also the one that introduces Fujisawa to Diablo, and when he finally collapses due to the effects of the drugs, she attempts to drive the two of them and his DiabloTUNE RS2000turbo into the river, but she is stopped by Akasaki. At the end of the game, she is seen watching over the recuperating Fujisawa in the hospital.

Other characters

  • Nanako Aoyama

The leader of the team BlackKnights Yokosuka, and the host of the BayLagoon UnOfficial race events. She drives a blue Celine (Toyota Celica) and competes in the Daiba PA Gymkhana.

  • Manabu Oda

A well-known driver in Hakone and an old friend of Ikki Fujisawa, he drives a yellow EVO-2000 (Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution). He seems to have knowledge of Diablo as he is the one that tells Akasaki of Satoru Kawashima's location.

  • Takahashi Kuniteru

The owner of the tune shop Windy in Hakone, and the one that provides Akasaki with the race car he used for the YOKOHAMA GP finals. His personal car is a brown Zeta2400 (Nissan S30). Being a tuner, he seems to be aware of the rumors about the DiabloTUNE, and how it may have been connected to the death of Kyoji Nanba.

  • Nenji Namba

The brother of Kyoji that took over the day-to-day running of GS after his brother's death.

Cars

With the lack of proper licensing, the names of the cars consists mainly of fictitious versions, while the model for the cars look identical to the cars they were based on. Some examples of the cars featured and their names in the game are:

Music

The game's soundtrack was composed by Noriko Matsueda, with a few tracks contributed by Takahito Eguchi; it was Eguchi's first compositional role.[2] It has been described as a jazz/techno fusion, with "fast-paced" music that includes live recordings of saxophones. The soundtrack was released as an album on June 19, 1999 by DigiCube. The two-disc album features 62 tracks and covers a duration of 2:31:03.[3]

Reception

Although the game was not well received by the Japanese gaming publication Famitsu, scoring only a 21 out of 40, the game managed to sell over 141,000 copies in Japan by the end of 1999.[4][5] The game was voted #45 for "most wanted sequels" by Famitsu's readers.[6]

References

  1. ^ Hey! You Flashing at Me? - IGN
  2. ^ a b Dave. "Racing Lagoon Original Soundtrack :: Review by Dave". Square Enix Music Online. Retrieved 2011-05-12.
  3. ^ Gann, Patrick (2001-03-23). "Racing Lagoon OST". RPGFan. Retrieved 2011-05-12.
  4. ^ IGN staff (June 1, 1999). "Now Playing in Japan". IGN.com. Archived from the original on 2007-11-09. Retrieved 2008-11-13. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  5. ^ "1999年ゲームソフト年間売上TOP300" [1999 Game Software Annual Sales Top 300]. Famitsū Gēmu Hakusho 2005 ファミ通ゲーム白書2005 [Famitsu Game Whitebook 2005] (in Japanese). Tokyo: Enterbrain. 2005-05-13. p. 416. ISBN 4-7577-2307-5. Archived from the original on 2015-06-28. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  6. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on August 4, 2009. Retrieved May 5, 2009. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
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