This is the first Ford Racing for the DS so we don’t have a predecessor to compare it to. Ford Racing 3 (obviously) gives you exclusive use of Ford cars. There are 25 in all but the majority of them are locked at the start of the game. They aren’t a bad selection either. Sure, it’s not Gran Tursimo but you’ve got everything from classics to concept vehicles covered. It’s a little bit disappointing that there are only two classic cars but the ones that have been selected to be used in the game will please Ford fanatics and casual observers will be able to recognise them.
The game does a reasonable job at giving you things to do. From the main menu, there are Quick Race and Competitions menus. The Quick Race places you in a random race, location and vehicle and there are no rewards to be unlocked. The Competitions are divided into three categories: Ford Competitions, Ford: Challenge, Ford Collection. Ford Competitions has 14 themed competitions that play out like a mini-GP. The 14 will be unlocked as you complete them and they increase in difficultly as you go on. Ford: Challenge pits you against pre-determined races and challenges that will unlock a vehicle if completed successfully. Ford: Collection is when you can go and take what you’ve unlocked and set up some races for yourself.
It's just you and the road, cos you ain't catching the other guy.
Ford Racing 3 actually does a commendable job at providing the player with a lot of different race types. While it is likely that you’ll spend most of the time with your standard 3-lap finish first type of race, there are also: Elimination, Duel, Drafting, Driving skills, Seconds Out, Time Attack, Boost, Relay and Overtake. Some are fairly self-explanatory but ones like Drafting, where you tail your opponent to drop his meter or Driving Skills, where you need to drive through designated gates and witches hats not only sound different but provide some decent break up of the action.
In terms of actual gameplay, there are a few quirks and issues but as long as players stay away from using the touch screen, they will be much better off. The game tries to play as something of a very basic simulation. You’re never going to have a great sim on the DS but, believe it or not, there has been a reasonable job done here. Unfortunately, as well as it has been done, there was still work that could’ve been done to it.
The actual driving is passable. The vehicles handle reasonably well, despite the fact that there is little differentiation between them. For example, a 1952 Thunderbird handles pretty much the same as a modern sports car, bar their top speeds. Other than that, getting around the track takes a little bit of getting used to but once you’ve figured how the mechanics work, it’s all go from there. However, players should probably avoid using the touch screen and stick to the D-pad. The touch screen displays the map of the track and your car is a green dot. Touching the screen will correspond with and arrow that reaches to where you are touching. So you have 360 degree of movement your vehicle will move in the direction you point. Simply, unless your thumb is very long and very flexible or you are extremely adept to using the stylus and the face buttons at the same time, it just doesn’t work.
Ford Racing 3 is lacking in a few key gameplay areas. The main ones that are a concern are the driving and collision physics. Even though there will be numerous times where you’ll change from an sealed road to another type of road, mainly dirt but there will be absolutely no indication that you’ve done this. The vehicle doesn’t handle differently nor does it have any impact on anyone else. In terms of collisions, the only thing that’s likely to happen is you bounce off a wall or halt on the spot. If you crash into a car from behind, you generally come to a sudden halt. However, these physics can be used to your advantage, as if some bumps you from behind or if you time a bump to the side correctly, you get a nice boost. This is hardly a game ruining issue because the driving is reasonably tight. However, it does take away from some of the excitement of racing, leaving it somewhat pedestrian.
Would you believe me if I said that the screens don't do the game justice
However, there is one major issue that really hampers the game. The game AI is very unbalanced, to the point that it is almost impossible to beat. On easy, the game seems like a cakewalk. Vehicles will rubber band back behind you but at no time do they actually challenge you when you are coming first. This is all good and well at the beginning but once you start facing the challenges and competitions on medium or hard, it becomes impossible unless you know tracks off by heart and have mastered the game mechanics. First and second place will generally speed way, way ahead of you and there will is no way to catch them. This isn’t an issue that’s one off, it’s how the game was made. It’s a real shame as well, as this issue is pretty much the sucker punch that takes most things good out of the game.
Graphically, the game is hardly a stunner but it’s reasonable. The tracks are varied and have a nice amount of detail and character. That’s to say that the environments are something of an achievement. Upon an initial glance, players may have expected worse from a DS game. The vehicles models are a little disappointing because they lack detail but in all, they resemble their real-life counterparts and are definitely recognizable. The menu work is clean and they are easy to navigate. Sound-wise, the engine noises are good but the tyre squealing may start getting on the nerves after a while. The quality of the music is decent but the tunes themselves aren’t very good. The voicing (re: commentary) is limited with the player likely to hear “You lose” a little too often.
For those willing to scratch the surface, there is a fair amount to do in Ford Racing 3. However, it will only be those who are willing to completely master the games mechanics to really challenge to unbalanced AI that will get the most fulfillment out of this game. Irrespective of a persons car-brand preference, for all that is decent about the game, a lot of it is lost to the unbalanced AI. In no way is this the worst racer on the DS but it is one of the most disappointing. Even if the AI were fine, it would still lose out in terms of lack of excitement and endearing features. Ultimately, Ford Racing 3 will be judged on what it is, just another racing game for the DS. But at least it provides a glimmer of hope that something will eventually come and be able to back-up Mario Kart DS.
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