Wikipedia

Bug Riders

Bug Riders: The Race of Kings is a video game developed by n-Space and published by GT Interactive for the PlayStation and Windows in 1997, followed by a re-release on PlayStation Network in 2011.

Bug Riders
Developer(s)n-Space
Publisher(s)GT Interactive
Platform(s)PlayStation, Microsoft Windows
Release
Genre(s)Racing
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Gameplay

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Bug Riders is a game which involves a bug-riding race to determine who will replace the dying emperor of the planet Entymion.[2] To accelerate, the player strikes their bug with a crop.[3] Careful rhythm is demanded, as using the crop too frequently will cause the bug to cry out in pain and slow down.[2]

Development

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The game was showcased at E3 1997.[4]

Reception

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Bug Riders received generally negative reviews, primarily because of the system for controlling the bugs. In particular, critics overwhelmingly detested the cropping system used to accelerate, finding it overly difficult to master.[2][3][9][11] Shawn Smith argued in Electronic Gaming Monthly, "Let's just stick with a standard 'press the button and hold it' acceleration that practically EVERY other racing game has. It's what we're used to as gamers. When something like this comes along, we don't know what to do."[3] Most critics also found that the bugs having minds of their own, allowing them to fly without input from the player and sometimes resist the player's inputs, proved to be frustrating.[2][9][11]

The level designs had a more mixed response, with some praising them for their visual design and variety,[3][11] while others found they did not make it obvious where the player needed to go.[2][9] While there was also scattered praise for elements such as the music, critics felt the control issues overrode all the game's positive elements. GamePro, for example, opined that "While there are some cool weapons to pick up as well as a good variety of bug steeds, because of bad control, praising these aspects is like toweling off the Titanic."[11][c] Next Generation commented, "The premise has some promise, offering all sorts of new gameplay ideas like riding living creatures and flying through the air. However, these same ideas, at least the execution of them, are what bring the game down."[2]

Notes

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  1. ^ The four critics in the Review Crew gave individual scores of 5.0, 4.0, 3.0, and 4.5.
  2. ^ Three critics of GameFan gave individual scores of 42, 55, and 52.
  3. ^ GamePro gave scores of 4.0/5 for graphics, 3.0/5 for sound, 1.5/5 for control, and 2.0/5 for fun factor.

References

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  1. ^ "RACING GAME FANS TO BUG OUT AS GT INTERACTIVE AND N-SPACE SHIP 'BUGRIDERS: THE RACE OF KINGS'". Archived from the original on 1999-10-11. Retrieved 2023-04-15.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g "Bug Riders". Next Generation. No. 37. Imagine Media. January 1998. p. 147. Retrieved November 23, 2020.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Review Crew: Bug Riders". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 102. Ziff Davis. January 1998. p. 157.
  4. ^ Lee, Helen (June 12, 1997). "GT Interactive's E3 Lineup". GameSpot. Archived from the original on May 2, 1999. Retrieved July 27, 2022.
  5. ^ House, Michael L. "Bug Riders: The Race of Kings - Review". AllGame. All Media Network. Archived from the original on November 15, 2014. Retrieved November 23, 2020.
  6. ^ Panda (December 1997). "Test PlayStation: Bugriders [sic]". Consoles + (in French). No. 71. p. 160. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
  7. ^ "Bug Riders - PlayStation". Game Informer. No. 56. FuncoLand. December 1997. Archived from the original on September 10, 1999. Retrieved November 23, 2020.
  8. ^ Hodgson, David "Chief Hambleton"; Jevons, Dan "Knightmare"; Stockert, Bruce "Reubus" (December 1997). "Bug Riders". GameFan. Vol. 5, no. 12. Metropolis Media. p. 20. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
  9. ^ a b c d Rignall, Jaz (December 4, 1997). "Bug Riders". IGN. Retrieved 17 August 2020.
  10. ^ "Bug Riders". PC Games (in German). Computec. March 1998.
  11. ^ a b c d Boba Fatt (January 1998). "PlayStation ProReview: BugRiders: The Race of Kings". GamePro. No. 112. IDG. p. 98.
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