I had this one as a kid, but I really wasn't as impressed with how fast it is as I should of been. As you race, you can see the level "popping in" as you go and I assume it's despawning behind you, it's really unbelievable the speed you can get up to in this game considering how old it is. It's just really solid programming. Different bikes work better on different stages, but for the most part, max speed and handling is all you need. I also forgot just how many levels there are, and partway through the championship mode you can unlock reverse tracks, then further on, you unlock tiny bikes mode. The music slaps, and even though I'm sure the engine noises annoy anyone listening, it's really great.
Got LBA2 (which we didn't know was called that, always called it Twinsen's Oddysey) with our family's first home computer purchase back in like 1994. The gameplay was always addicting, but I was a kid and this was one of my first games ever. You start off having to basically learn how to move, its kinda odd having tank controls but when I replay it, it seems fine. Aiming your weapons can be a pain, but again as a kid I had it figured out. When you hit an enemy they bounce to one side, so you turn a little bit and throw again, rinse and repeat. Combat can be HARD due to this stunlock system, so its best to get the jump on opponents or try to cheese the fights. The first dungeon and boss are hard, but I think its mostly due to learning to platform and do ranged combat with tank controls. Once you get it down, the rest of the game becomes much easier. Its one of those save often with multiple saves just in case type of games. As for story, its very light, you basically are trying to find and beat the bad guy, only to discover that he's not even on your planet. Thats sort of how it unfolds, theres more intrigue than that but it's not 'deep'. It's all about gameplay and charachters, as every npc is fully voiced and does at least something. I think there is maybe five NPCs that just says 'hello', everyone else either has something to say or is important in one way or another. Honestly though, me trying to be unbiased and not say this game rules and you should play it is impossible. I have memories of getting in trouble for doodling the characters from the game in elementary school. It's DEFINITELY made for kids, maybe start there, if you have a younger kid, try to enjoy the game together and see the world through their eyes. Knowing exactly where to go and what to do has killed the expeirience for me, and I can't undo it. I still find myself going back for a full playthrough every 5 or so years. Absolute classic. Looks fine for the time imo. Enjoy!
Great game engine, with several deep mechanics unfortunately buried in an unfinished experience. I call it unfinished but not unpolished. Unfortunately this game had a difficult release. Great class/race/multi-classing options. The combat is probably the best part, turn based and incredibly slow. You need a mod called 'Wiz8Fast' to play this game properly. Took me 120 hours to get the full experience. There are two factions at war, and a faction you can later infiltrate. This leads to multiple endings. The worst part about this game is that the plot could be fleshed out much further. The NPC's in the game are all fully voiced, and yet theres maybe 20 NPCs in the entire game. That makes each on more memorable but at the same time, its hard to flesh out a story with so few charachters and such little dialogue. There are a few side quests, but for the most part you will only be advancing the main storyline. Most important aspect is the combat and the system, the non-standard classes are all incredible in their own ways, Gadgeteer, Alchemist, Ninjas and Samurai? Wizardry 8 has a fun and unique blend of science fiction and classic middle-earth elements scattered throughout every aspect of the game. The lockpicking and disarm system is unique, and the weapons are unique. The whole game is unique. Maxing stats presents new stats and abilities, which honestly makes it so I wish the game was longer. Finished up around level 20, and would of loved to have a real reason (other than doing it to do it) to get my party stronger. Overall it was well worth my time. There were initial troubles getting it to run, but I assumed it was a scaling to monitor issue, search engines first result fixed my issue with a quick drag and drop. If I could give advice to a struggling player it would be: A classic elemental magic caster is great, but status effects like sleep and paralyze are way stronger in Wiz8 than casting fireball over and over like in Baldur's Gate.
