Review of Rally Cross 

Overall

This game is not really a rally game, at least for what I have played.  It
feels more like a stadium truck racing.  You smash and bash your way around
the course and hope you are in first.  This game is very difficult.  I
would compare the learning curve to be like Jet Moto or Wipeout.  When you
first play, you can't believe that you can make it around the track without
hitting everything, but after playing for a while, you get used to it and
can actually quite well.  There is no intro.  It is just a screen shot and
then to the menus.  This is good because while a fmv intro is nice, it just
takes longer to get to the game.  The menus are very quick and easy to get
through.

Modes of play

There are several modes of play.  The first option is number of players. 
You can play one player, two players, or four players.  There is no three
player option.  I have only played the game in one and two player modes.  I
will discuss this more later.

There are three skill levels: rookie, veteran, pro.  You can select the
rookie level at the beginning, but you have to beat the game in the rookie
mode to get the veteran level.  Then, you have to beat the veteran level to
get the pro level.  To beat a level, you must complete all the tracks
available forward, and reverse.

The direction is also an option.  You can select whether you race in
forward (clockwise) or reverse (counter-clockwise).

Then you can race either a standard race, where all the cars go the same
direction, head-on where you race against the others but they are going the
other direction, so head-on collisions are standard, or random.

Selection of Tracks and Cars

In the beginning, you have a choice of 8 cars, and 3 tracks.  After you
beat the rookie level, you get 4 more cars and another track.  If you beat
the veteran level, you get 4 more cars
and another track.  Then, if you beat the game on the pro level, you get 1
new truck.  Beat it again and you get another new truck, etc. up to 4
trucks.  Short-cuts on the tracks will also open up as you get further in
the game.  These are very important, and must be used to get good times.

Graphics

The graphics are very nice.  The animation of the cars is very realistic. 
The courses are very hilly and bumpy and the cars bounce around like real
cars do.  The crashes are very realistic as well and is very exciting.  The
graphics in two player mode is also nice, but it is a little less detailed.
 I have not played it in 4 player mode.  The only problem is that it is
difficult to see the track sometimes because the only views that are any
good are the behind views because the in-car view is useless.  The
backgound graphics are especially nice and there are even bystanders that
you can almost hit.  Also, your car wil substain damage, and you can see
it.  I don't know if it affects the car dynamics, however.  I'll give it an
8/10.

Control

This is the most important part of the game.  Frist of all, it supports
analog controllers and the analog pad comming this fall.  I say this
because when you are configuring the analog controller, there is a
selection for feedback.  I can't wait...anyway.  The control is very
difficult to get used to.  This is definitely not a game where you can hold
down the gas all the time, all the way.  You really have to plan you way
around the tracks and use the brakes so you don't flip you car over.  And
you will flip your car over.  When you do, you have to rock the car back
and forth with the shoulder buttons.  If your car gets in some loose sand
on the side of the track, it will suck you in and slow you down just like
real life.  This is very realistic.  When you hit mud puddles and water, it
really slow you down.  I started the game using the standard controller,
but recently moved to the Negcon.  This is a must have for this game and
makes it much better.  You won't roll your car in the corners as much and
you can slide around the corners much better.  Don't give up on this game. 
You will get the hang of it and feel really good about it.  9/10

Playability

After getting over the initial frustration in learning how to drive good,
it is really fun.  With having to complete all these races to get all the
cars, I will be playing this a long time, and am anxious to do so.  Plus,
with the ability to play against a lot of friends, it only adds to the
playability.  Plus, the computer drivers are not flawless drivers like in
some other games.  One might be way ahead of you, and then you come around
a corner and they are upside down.  This adds to the playability to the
game because it allows you to make some mistakes without too much
reprocussion.  9/10

Sound

The sound if very good.  There is no anouncer, which is nice because it is
usually annoying.  There are good sound effects like bed springs sqeaking
when you jump and land.  The engine sounds are good too.  I really like the
sounds during the menus.  10/10

Two Player Mode

We played in two player mode for about an hour and it was fun.  The problem
is that if you are much better than your opponent, then it is not as much
fun.  This is because they will be rolling over a lot and the race won't
even be close.  But, this really is a problem with most multiplayer games. 
The graphics are a little distorted and I think the game slows a little,
but it really isn't that noticable.  The difficult control makes it
frustrating for new racers, which ruins the multiplayer score.  7/10

Conclusion

This is a very good game and is different from anything that I already
have.  If you like racing games, then get it.  If you don't, then you might
rent it and give it a try.