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The magazines hailed this as the 'Rally beater' the one that would finally top the all mighty Sega Rally, but when review time came they only gave it 79% and so on. Why? Is it really not worth looking at or is there something they missed?

PRESENTATION - 90%

Ok it does have a few fancy screens but nothing too special. They replays are there as usual but a sign of rushing them was the fact that there are no special camera views what so ever, the camera either circles your car or you get the in game views. (or close to them), not like Sega Rally's TV style. Its a pity when Presentation gets rushed, probably so they could get it out before Christmas.

GRAPHICS - 93%

Possibly the most detailed racer ever to come to Saturn, with almost ALL the detail of the arcade version (even the rear view mirror!). Unfortunately the Saturn isn't a Model 2 arcade board so it can't handle that much detail. Resulting in the frame rate constantly changing between 20 and 30 fps. Under bridges and when there are lots of cars around it gets very jerky. The rear view mirror makes it even worse! But the overall speed that the game runs at is AMAZING. You really feel that your going 300 mph! Not like in some Playstation or N64 racers where you feel your going 30 mph. Because of the high speed you don't notice the jerkiness really.

Clipping... ever since the days of Virtua Racing people said, "hey look at that the scenery's appearing from no where". Well I'm glad to say that there is almost NO CLIPPING in STCC! Yes its beyond Rallys standard. That and the high speed gives everything a very real feel.

SOUND - 97%

The arcade sound was truly great (for those who got to play it) and the good news is that its the same for Saturn. The engine noises make it feel even more as if your really sitting on a motor and the music is great. I prefer Avex Trax to the Sega and Trance Techno ones but you can pick with ever you want. Its hard to hear the music over the engines though, as the option to change the background music volume dosn't do too much.

LASTABILIY - 95%

That's a tough one, it really depends how good a gamer you are. If you think your self to be quite good, the difficulty level should be right (set on easy mode!). It should take you a few weeks to get everything. If you consider you self as an average gamer you may never get all the secrets and may never complete it with out some handy cheats (if there are any). If your just starting don't bother (thats nice isn't it). Its true though my brother who plays games often can't get anywhere on it. The difficulty is just too high mixed with bad controls (if you have a 3D-Pad there better) and you really have to be GOOD at games to get anywhere at it and enjoy the game. There are many many secrets to be discovered. I won't give any away but Rally fans and those with the Internet won't be disappointed at all.

OVERALL - 92%

That was a hard review, the tip of the day for that game is TRY BEFORE YOU BUY. If you can rent it somewhere, do! Allow for getting used to the controls but then you know if you enjoy it or not. Hardcore gamers will love it though