Hard Drivin

STORY / GAMEPLAY
The game features one of the first 3D polygon driving environments! Note that the original arcade version is played in a simulator cabinet, rendered with custom architecture. Hard Drivin' is a force feedback, car physics simulator! You play from a first person perspective that shows your car's dashboard. To distinguish it from other driving titles of that era, the developers added stunt loops and other road hazards. The game generally consists of 1 or 2 laps around a stunt track. Another unique feature of this game is the "instant replay" sequence that plays after a crash, a feature that sets Hard Drivin' different from most driving games of its time! But note that, steering and acceleration / braking of your vehicle are both sluggish and too sensitive at the same time. A slight tap on the accelerator rockets your vehicle off track, especially during sharp curves! Well, although the game was revolutionary for its genre, it was also (and still is) way too far from playable and enjoyable! Oh yes, driving is hard in this game!

GRAPHICS / SOUND
The 3D environments and car models look sharp on the Atari Lynx, though the animation is quite slow. The visuals have been simplified compared to the arcades but they're nonetheless effective. The already sparse playfield of the arcade version becomes even more barren, in order to maintain a decent framerate. It's still realistic enough however, that you won't really notice the reduction of obstacles and objects in front of you. The game's sound has some basic sound effects like the engine throttle and crashes and a tune playing at the intro!