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OutRun 2

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OutRun 2
Developer(s)Sega AM2 (Arcade)
Sumo Digital (Xbox)
Publisher(s)Sega (Arcade)
Microsoft Game Studios (Xbox)
Director(s)Makoto Osaki
Daichi Katagiri
Producer(s)Yu Suzuki
Designer(s)Shin Ishikawa
Artist(s)Yasuo Kawagoshi
SeriesOut Run
Platform(s)Arcade
Xbox
ReleaseArcade
  • JP: December 1, 2003
  • EU: December 13, 2003
  • NA: December 18, 2003
Xbox
  • EU: October 1, 2004
  • AU: October 15, 2004[1]
  • NA: October 25, 2004
  • JP: January 25, 2005
Genre(s)Racing game
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer
Arcade systemSega Chihiro, Sega Lindbergh (SP DX)

OutRun 2 (アウトラン2) is a 2003 racing game developed by Sega AM2 for the arcades. It was the first in Sega's OutRun series in a decade, following OutRunners (1993), and marked the fourth arcade installment. OutRun 2 was ported to the Xbox home console in 2004, on which the Sega Chihiro arcade hardware is based on, released by Microsoft Game Studios. Updated versions subtitled SP and SP/DX were later released which also provided a follow-up home game, OutRun 2006: Coast 2 Coast.

Gameplay

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Gameplay screenshot

OutRun 2 stays true to the race format from the 1986 original, in which the player is behind the steering wheel of a Ferrari sports car with a friend in the passenger seat through 5 of 15 stages. As before, the player can choose their course and the soundtrack. OutRun 2 has been overhauled with 3D graphics and a local networked multiplayer system.

Sega licensed seven Ferrari vehicles for OutRun 2, including the Testarossa from the original game.

The soundtrack was completely rearranged, bringing in seven pieces of music with styles ranging from instrumental rock to upbeat ballads. The original 1986 music is also unlockable.

OutRun 2 provides three single-player game modes: "OutRun mode", "Heart Attack mode" and "Time Attack mode":

  • Outrun Race – the player drives through 5 of 15 stages, selecting the next course via forks on the road. There is a time limit which is extended when the player passes through checkpoints.
  • Heart Attack Mode – the player drives the open-ended course to a time limit (as in OutRun Race), and the passenger will frequently request certain stunts and actions. These requests, carried out through marked sections of the course, can include passing traffic cars, drifting around bends, driving through marked lanes, knocking over cones, and simply not crashing into anything for as long as possible. If the player is successful, they will receive heart points and, at the end of the request section, will be graded according to their performance. At the end of the stage, the player will receive an average grade based on performance during previous stunts. Crashing into the scenery or driving off-road at any time will result in the player losing hearts. Should the player reach a goal with a satisfying grade and within the time limit, they will receive a more romantic ending.
  • Time Attack Mode – the player races a 'ghost' car over a pre-selected course to the time limit. Time checks are presented to the player at various points on each stage.

All unlockable bonus secret tracks are from Scud Race and Daytona USA 2 on the Xbox version.

Development and updates

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Developing the game precipitated some changes for its developers, Sega AM2, who had historically written their games using Unix systems. Writing for an Xbox-based system meant they had to adapt to the Microsoft Windows kernel.[citation needed]

OutRun 2 SP

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In 2004, Sega released an upgrade to the OutRun 2 arcade game, titled OutRun 2 SP. The upgrade added 15 all-new courses which are predominantly based around a New World theme.

OutRun 2 SP's new courses, songs and game elements appear (alongside the originals and new content) in the home video-game OutRun 2006: Coast 2 Coast.

OutRun 2 SP DX/SDX

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An update entitled OutRun 2 SP SDX was shown at a privately held Sega show on July 7, 2006. This updated version of OutRun 2 does not run on the Sega Chihiro, but rather the Sega Lindbergh. This iteration is displayed at a resolution of 800*480 rather than the previous versions' 640*480 and features cooperative play involving both players sitting next to each other in replica Ferraris, taking turns driving the same car with their own set of controls. The 2-player cabinet is designated as DX (Deluxe), and the 4-Player cabinet is designated as SDX (Super Deluxe), with raceview cameras on the players, and a live leaderboard over the center units.[2]

Xbox version

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In 2004, OutRun 2 was released on the Xbox. The task of coding was shared by Sega AM2 and UK-based developers Sumo Digital. The game was released in Europe on October 1, followed by the U.S. release on October 25.

The Xbox version preserves the look and feel of the arcade original, but with the additions of 480p anamorphic widescreen support and tweaks to make it more suitable for home play. The game includes a straight port of the arcade called "Outrun Arcade" plus two other modes: OutRun Challenge, which includes 101 missions distributed over the 15 stages, and OutRun Xbox Live, featuring online play. Tracks from Scud Race and Daytona USA 2 can be unlocked as a bonus.

In addition, some content from the arcade game is locked away alongside new, unique content, such as extra cars, extra music tracks, and even the original Out Run game itself. This content is unlocked as the player completes the OutRun Challenge missions. Some slight changes were made to the Arcade mode, such as the 3D model for the newer Testarossa Spider being replaced with a customised Testarossa from 1984. The Japanese version of the game was slightly altered further, fixing some glitches and modifying the bonus stages.

Reception

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The Xbox version received "favorable" reviews according to video game review aggregator Metacritic.[3]

References

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  1. ^ van Leuveren, Luke (October 10, 2004). "Updated Australian Release List - 03/10/04". PALGN. PAL Gaming Network. Archived from the original on September 10, 2006. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  2. ^ The ride of your life SEGA
  3. ^ a b "OutRun2 for Xbox Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved August 26, 2015.
  4. ^ Edge staff (November 2004). "OutRun2". Edge. No. 142. p. 98. Archived from the original on December 16, 2004. Retrieved August 26, 2015.
  5. ^ EGM staff (December 25, 2004). "OutRun2". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 186. p. 134.
  6. ^ Bramwell, Tom (September 29, 2004). "OutRun2". Eurogamer. Retrieved August 26, 2015.
  7. ^ Kato, Matthew (December 2004). "OutRun 2". Game Informer. No. 140. p. 183. Archived from the original on November 12, 2005. Retrieved August 26, 2015.
  8. ^ Sanders, Shawn (December 8, 2004). "OutRun 2 Review". Game Revolution. Retrieved August 26, 2015.
  9. ^ Colayco, Bob (October 27, 2004). "OutRun2 Review". GameSpot. Retrieved August 26, 2015.
  10. ^ Turner, Benjamin (October 22, 2004). "GameSpy: OutRun2". GameSpy. Retrieved August 26, 2015.
  11. ^ Hopper, Steven (October 21, 2004). "Outrun 2 – XB – Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on March 22, 2009. Retrieved August 26, 2015.
  12. ^ Perry, Douglass C. (October 22, 2004). "OutRun2". IGN. Retrieved August 26, 2015.
  13. ^ "OutRun2". Official Xbox Magazine. December 25, 2004. p. 80.
  14. ^ Hill, Jason (October 14, 2004). "Rich world to explore". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved August 26, 2015.
  15. ^ "OutRun2". The Times. October 16, 2004. Retrieved August 26, 2015.(subscription required)
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