Kinetica

For other uses, see Kinetica (disambiguation).

Kinetica
Developer(s)Santa Monica Studio
Publisher(s)Sony Computer Entertainment
Producer(s)Shannon Studstill
Designer(s)Richard Foge
Quinlan Richards
Tobin A. Russell
David Jaffe
Programmer(s)Tim Moss
Platform(s)PlayStation 2
Release
Genre(s)Racing
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Kinetica is a 2001 racing video game developed by Santa Monica Studio and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation 2. It was released only in North America. It is the debut game of Santa Monica Studio and their only product that is neither a God of War series game or external development on indie games. It was the first game to use the Kinetica game engine which would later be used for the video games SOCOM U.S. Navy SEALs, God of War and God of War II. The game incorporates the use of SoundMAX audio technology by Analog Devices. An art book titled The Art of Kinetica was included with the game itself, containing artwork of the game's characters. In 2016, the game was re-released on PlayStation 4.[2][3]

Gameplay

Kinetica is set in the future versions of Earth's major cities, outer-space, and some fictional locations in the Earth's distant future. Twelve racers compete while wearing "Kinetic Suits", which have wheels on the hands and feet,[4] giving racers the appearance of motorcycles.[5] Kinetic Suits have the ability to scale walls and ceilings,[4] the vehicles are capable of reaching terminal velocity and beyond, reaching speeds of over 350 miles per hour (560 km/h).

The goal is the same as any racing game: be the first to cross the finish line. There are fifteen tracks and three seasons in the game. Each season consists of four tracks that the player must obtain a certain place in to advance. Getting first place in every race in a season will unlock a bonus track, and getting first place in the bonus track will unlock both the default and alternate versions of one of the unlockable characters. In order to progress through the game, the player must obtain first, second, or third place in the first season races. In the second season, the player must place first or second place, while in the third season the player must win each race in first place to advance.

Scattered around the tracks are power-up crystals that come in yellow and purple colors. Collecting five yellow crystals will give the player a power-up, while getting one purple crystal automatically gives the player a power-up regardless of how many yellow crystals the player has collected. Characters can perform stunts on the ground and in the air to add to the boost meter to gain access to faster than normal speeds, though this meter can also be filled by getting one of the three boost power-ups from the power-up crystals.

Reception

Kinetica received "generally favorable reviews" according to the review aggregator website Metacritic.[6] Louis Bedigian of GameZone praised the game, stating "it practically annihilates Extreme G3 [sic] and the last two F-Zero games released."[10] Gary Whitta of NextGen called it "An intriguing twist on a largely played-out genre, although the Autobots-style racers might turn some gamers off."[12] Four-Eyed Dragon of GamePro said, "Despite its setbacks, Kinetica is a decent racer worth trying. It offers a phenomenal visual rush into new-age racing."[16][a]

Notes

  1. ^ GamePro gave the game 4/5 for graphics, 3/5 for sound, and two 3.5/5 scores for control and fun factor.

References

  1. ^ IGN staff (October 8, 2001). "Sony's Christmas PS2 Schedule". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on March 17, 2023. Retrieved June 27, 2023.
  2. ^ Nelva, Giuseppe (May 17, 2016). "Wild Arms 3 and Kinetica for PS2 Now Available on PS4; Screenshots Aplenty Released". DualShockers. Archived from the original on November 17, 2022. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  3. ^ Barrera, Rey (June 8, 2016). "Review: Kinetica (PS4)". PlayStation Nation. Archived from the original on August 10, 2016. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
  4. ^ a b c Davis, Ryan (October 19, 2001). "Kinetica Review [date mislabeled as "May 17, 2006"]". GameSpot. Fandom. Archived from the original on October 25, 2017. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
  5. ^ a b Alupului, Andrei (October 29, 2001). "GameSpy: Kinetica". GameSpy. IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on December 28, 2005. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  6. ^ a b "Kinetica". Metacritic. Fandom. Archived from the original on January 17, 2024. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  7. ^ Mowatt, Tom (October 24, 2001). "Kinetica". The Electric Playground. Greedy Productions Ltd. Archived from the original on June 22, 2002. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  8. ^ "Kinetica". Game Informer. No. 103. FuncoLand. November 2001. p. 108.
  9. ^ Sanders, Shawn (October 8, 2001). "Kinetica Review". GameRevolution. CraveOnline. Archived from the original on October 1, 2015. Retrieved April 10, 2019.
  10. ^ a b Bedigian, Louis (October 24, 2001). "Kinetica Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on May 9, 2008. Retrieved August 6, 2009.
  11. ^ Zdyrko, David (October 16, 2001). "Kinetica". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on November 17, 2022. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  12. ^ a b Whitta, Gary (December 2001). "Kinetica". NextGen. No. 84. Imagine Media. p. 105. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
  13. ^ Kennedy, Sam (November 2001). "Kinetica". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine. No. 50. Ziff Davis. p. 155. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  14. ^ Nelson, Randy (November 2001). "Kinetica". PSM. No. 51. Imagine Media. p. 43. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  15. ^ Alt, Eric (October 2001). "Kinetica". Maxim. MaximNet, Inc. Archived from the original on December 29, 2001. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
  16. ^ Four-Eyed Dragon (December 2001). "Kinetica" (PDF). GamePro. No. 159. IDG. p. 145. Archived from the original on February 9, 2005. Retrieved February 5, 2024.