It's an amazing game - I'll let others wax lyrical about that. My problem is this: I have both the Dos(box) and Windows 95 originals, and I've never managed to complete either as they both become a crash-fest around halfway through the story. I'll try the GoG version too, and pray it somehow doesn't suffer the same issue.
Played this on N64 back in the day, played this version more recently. On the plus side: Interesting story, fun bosses. On the downside: Initially very confusing and counter-intuitive, and the sound effect for your only gun is HORRENDOUS. Seriously, it'll drive you mad in seconds and you're going to hear it 10,000 times over the course of the game. *sigh*
Right, let's get this over with. This game was a good concept ruined by terrible execution. The game world is huge, but a nightmare to navigate due to terrible mapping. You frequently get stuck miles from civilisation without a vehicle, and worst of all - the 'FPS' element is dreadful. Enemies shoot you while facing the other way, your guns are totally unsatisfying and the frustration is assured since enemies respawn behind you incredibly fast. You'll be forced to fight through some checkpoints 100+ times during the course of the game. Oh, and the destructible scenery? Lies. Top this off with weak story without any real motivation, forgettable characters and tedious collection jobs... the best advice I can give is to go play Just Cause 2 instead. That's how sandbox games should be!
Much better than the prequel, but a few annoying quirks keep it from 5-stardom. Stealth-takedowns on moving targets are still impossible (grr) and your objectives are sometimes a little vague, but for the most part the game is very rewarding if you can stomach the trial-and-error nature of it. The endgame suffers from naff level design (as with the prequel) but the game's strengths pull it through. Top tip: Take the time to ace the very first level, and your reward will make the rest of the game that much easier.
Extensive reviewing isn't really needed, since everyone knows what they're getting here. Just a couple of things to point out - this seems to be missing the 'American Revolt' expansion, which will be a let-down for the hardcore fans. Also, while most of the game has aged well, one thing really irks me - your team say the same phrase every time you click the mouse. Every freakin' time. You'll be gnashing your teeth and cringing within 5 minutes. Turn the sound off and your sanity will return and there's much enjoyment to be had - moreso than in the sequel, which looks good at first glance but is ultimately let down by bizarrely incompetent design decisions.
This is my first critical review on GOG, but when I saw this one hit the frontpage it brought back memories of playing this when it first launched. In particular, the disappointment of it being a dodgy Mario Kart clone with the fun removed. Most of the time you can just hold 'up' and auto-steer around the course due to the poorly faked 3D effect. If it's vehicular carnage you want, track down Carmageddon - and if it's cutesy racing that's genuinely entertaining I'd go for Wacky Wheels. It's crude but great, and actually requires some skill. In WRF you'll simply leave the opposition behind and never see them again.