Carmageddon: Reincarnation

Original Carmageddon developers Stainless Games return with their first original game in the series since 1998's Carmageddon 2. As suggested by the title, Reincarnation is an updated take on the first two games, and it sticks to the established concept of racing freaky cars through a series of improbable locations while causing as much violence and bloodshed as possible. The primary type of race (now called 'Classic Carma') can be won by either completing all laps, wrecking all opponents, or mowing down every pedestrian on the track.

The core of the game is its Career mode, where races come in groups that must be unlocked in order to progress. A typical group consists of one 'Classic Carma' race, plus two of the new race types: 'Checkpoint Stampede', 'Death Race', 'Ped Chase', 'Car Crusher' and 'Fox 'n' Hounds'. These let you compete against your opponents for a target score, racking up points by performing a variety of unwholesome tasks; in typical Carma fashion, however, there's always another way to win - stealing points from your opponents by brutally wasting them. Unlike the second game with its missions, none of the races are mandatory: new level groups are unlocked simply by earning enough credits with your grisly deeds.

Car upgrades still follow the Armor/Power/Offensive system, and can be purchased with special tokens found while racing. The selection of cars and drivers mixes the familiar with the new, and the same goes for the race tracks themselves: several locations from the first game have been given a revamped facelift; there's also a host of new power-ups (and power-downs), ranging from the lethal to the ludicrous.

Outside Career mode there's free play (where you can mix and match game types and options at your leisure), and online multiplayer (which lets you do the same facing remote human opponents). Other minor enhancements have been added: an Instant Powerup Selector system, car-specific paint jobs and rims, hidden unlockables, easter-eggs and achievements. The customary Action Replay system is also here, so you can revisit your road-rage revelry (complete with the sound of screeching steel) using full playback controls and custom cameras.