Harley-Davidson: Race Across America (PC)

GameSpot editors' review

• CNET editors' rating: 2.5 stars OK
  Detailed editors' rating
  Overall score: 5.2 (2.5 stars)

• Reviewed by:
  Chris Gregson
• Reviewed on: 11/01/1999
• Updated on: 05/01/2000
• Originally published on GameSpot: Harley-Davidson: Race Across America (PC) Review

Things start off great when you begin installing Harley-Davidson: Race Across America - you hear the roar of a hog revving up followed by the low chug-a-lug rumble of a massive Harley engine idling as the files are copied to your system. And you'd better relish those moments if you buy this game, because they're among the only authentic ones you'll experience in this latest addition to WizardWorks' ongoing line of Wal-Mart Wonders. It's not that there's an inherent problem with arcade racing games such as this. The problem with Race Across America is that its uninspired arcade-style biking action doesn't come close to doing justice to the big-name license that will surely coax a lot of people into buying it.

Race Across America lets you hop on one of six Harleys - Dyna Low Rider, Fat Boy, Softail Custom, Sportster 1200 Custom, Road King Classic, and a customized 1956 KHK you can only access after placing high enough in competition - and put 'em through their paces on rally routes in seven states. You can choose to race against three computer opponents in any of the states in practice mode, which is a good way to learn each route. But the only real challenge is in tour mode where you race through three states on the way to the annual biker rally in Sturgis, South Dakota. Where you place at the end of each of the three routes determines how much money you'll have to buy tires, carbs, mufflers, and an improved ignition for your ride.

Race Across America plays fast and smooth, but what really matters is whether it generates any genuine thrills. Unfortunately, whatever thrills it generates are few and far between. You'll suspect this problem even when you start choosing bikes and race routes. I can't think of any reason why static menu screens shouldn't be crisp and clear, but instead, Race Across America gives you blurry images of the venues and bikes that are similar to what you'd see after knocking back a six-pack or two of your favorite cold beverage. Add in menu buttons that only cycle one way - miss your bike and you go through all the others to get back to it - and you can see this game didn't spend a whole lot of time in QA. Once you hit the road, you'll be shocked to learn there isn't even a pause button - it could be a nod to real life, in which bikers often have to wait to put off that restroom stop, but my guess is it's just another sloppy oversight.

In an effort to make things more interesting, Canopy Games made gas stops a critical part of gameplay - actually the most critical part. The result is that after just a minute or two of racing, it's time to pull over and fill up the tank again, so you wind up spending as much or even more time scoping the horizon for Uncle Billy's Gas Mart as you do focusing on bent-for-hell racing. What makes this even more disappointing is that absolutely nothing has been done to breathe any life into these pit stops: You just sit by the side of the road and watch the fuel gauge climb to full in a matter of seconds. I was really hoping for some off-road excitement in a biker bar or even hanging around a hick town. Instead, all I got was a lousy tank of gas.

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