![]() ![]() There are several multiplayer options that should be mentioned, as well as "career" play. I found that by adjusting the suspension, tread and weight distribution, that the vehicles were a bit more user friendly, and less like kamikaze killing machines. Playing the game without making adjustments to your vehicle is just a big fat waste of time - especially on the 2X4 buggy and 2X4 truck, as these vehicles are lightweight and easily spin out, fly to and fro when hitting a bump, and generally seem like an out of control Quad runner (I can relate to this concept). They certainly didn't fit the criteria of what an automatic transmission is in the real world. I really couldn't surmise what the difference between automatic and standard transmissions were in this game. In SODA the automatic transmission still makes you shift, when in reality the only shifting you would have to do is between Neutral, Reverse and Drive (there is no such thing in this game). Needless to say, even on the easiest settings I was trounced soundly every time - and came in last.Īnother issue that needs to be addressed is the concept of an automatic transmission. ![]() This is very unrealistic, and shows that you will have to work very hard to do what the computer can do easily. What makes me angry is the fact that the computer controlled players never spin out and do on average a top speed of 70 MPH. By not accelerating at the right moment and turning by hitting the cross on the joystick once (not holding it down), I was able to avoid spinning out. Once it was properly calibrated, I was able to take some turns at 70 miles per hour. The key to learning this game is to figure out how to turn a corner - with a 4X4 truck I had a lot more success using a generic 4 button, 2 axis joystick. Don't bother using the brakes at this point as it will simply cause you to spin out. So in order to corner properly, you must let off the gas and take the turn. The manual insist that you can safely corner going about 40 MPH, but this is just not the case. Everything seems groovy until you hit your first turn - where you spin out a full 90 degrees! Any speed above 40 miles per hour will cause you to do this. Since your transmission is standard, you will have to shift into first gear, accelerate, and go. You'll start the race in the last position (I set it up to have three opponents). To start out I tried the 4X4, as it has more weight and less chance of jumping all over the road. Start a standard game under the single player menu option, and choose your vehicle. Let us start with an overview of typical gameplay without adjustment to your vehicle. ![]() If you are looking for an arcade style game here, my advice would be to look elsewhere. It is a true simulation in the respect that it is not easy to control a real off-road vehicle. SODA is not your standard "arcade fare," to say the least. There are a lot of adjustments that you can make to your vehicle - and believe me, once you play a couple of times you will make it a point to adjust anything you can to gain better control of your vehicle, because at times your vehicle is going to drive you to the point of anxiety and insanity. It features a lot of nifty options such as a real-time radio system while driving, customization of tracks (oasis, country, evergreen) and track conditions, adjustment of vehicles' horsepower, shifting (automatic and standard) including rpm adjustment for certain gears, a g-force analyzer (gauges how much traction your vehicle gets on certain terrains), tread types, an interactive replay system, suspension options such as camber (wheel angle when tilted) adjustment, springs and shocks, weight distribution, and steering lock. SODA Off-Road Racing is a "short course off-road racing sim" utilizing 2X4 trucks, 2X4 buggies and 4X4 trucks (can you say Bigfoot?). ![]()
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