Hold on to your hats, boys and girls, “Quantum Redshift” is going to take you on a high speed journey into a futuristic world. The game is set 100 years into the future and challenges gamers to display a rare combination of raw racing skill and savvy weapons strategy to achieve ultimate victory.

“Quantum Redshift” features a new racing tournament of speed and daring that has become an organized sport and is raced on tracks all over the world. Gamers race on futuristic terrains and compete in fierce grudge matches against multiple opponents, including an archrival/nemesis character. “Quantum Redshift” delivers hyper speed racing, 16 vehicles, 16 detail-laden tracks, weapons strategy, intelligent AI opponents, spectacular aerial jumps and character-based nuances to appeal to action and racing gamers.

Gameplay:
Quantum Redshift is Microsoft’s answer to the wipeout series available on the PS and now the PS2, QR is nothing original, it’s simply executed better than its rivals. Initially you have the option to select one of a starting total of seven ships (you eventually can potentially unlock a total of sixteen); the ships all have there own individual characteristics and will handle and behave in there own unique manor, so choose wisely. In tournament mode, you will begin on the Novice level and work your way through the ranks, progressing to Amateur, Expert, Master, and finally, the hardest and fastest of all, Redshift. Additionally, you have a single race mode, which allows you to hone your skills on each of the tracks before you race for the big time. Finally, a time attack mode and multiplayer round out the various options.

Each character also has it’s own home circuit where there craft is particularly suited, but also have an arch rival Nemesis who primary goal is to either beat and humiliate you or simply hinder your progress. The nemesis element does not really add to much, It simply provides a bonus in points for killing that particular ship and adds a nemesis challenge, a one-on-one race at the end of every tournament.

The sense of speed in QR is amazing on the higher difficulty levels. You'll rocket down straight sections, power slide through corners, propel hundreds of feet into the air, and take advantage of the track's shortcuts. While doing this you can pick up one of four powerups that charge homing missiles, regular weapons, over-shields, or all three at once. There is also a point bonus that takes advantage of the game's unique scoring system.

Once you finish a race, you are awarded points based on your performance that you may use to upgrade your vehicle's weapons, over-shields, turbo, or regular shields. You may re-race the track if you wish, but in order to gain more points to upgrade you must score more points than your previous attempt.

Graphics:
The game features five levels of hyper-speed with the ultimate level - “Quantum Redshift” - reaching speeds over 900 mph. Gamers earn higher speeds and greater rewards by prevailing in each race and winning trophies. Acquiring trophies at various speed levels, graphically Quantum Redshift is simply Amazing, and the true potential of the Xbox would appear to have begun to be realised.

Each of the tracks and vehicles are bump-mapped and filled with bright, colourful hi-res textures. The fact that you will be racing past at 300+ miles per hour just enhances the fact that this is a very solid looking futuristic racer and is only available on xbox (probably because only xbox is capable of such wonders). Each of the vehicles retains the high graphical standard, each of them have a very unique and individual detailed look. Some will have flaps that open and close as your turn, while others retract the twin jets as you hit the turbo. Overall, this is defiantly one of the best looking games available to date for the Xbox.

Sound:
In leveraging the audio capabilities of Xbox, “Quantum Redshift” supports Dolby 5.1, in addition to a fully interactive music soundtrack, composed by acclaimed musical sensation, Junkie XL. QR also includes an option for a customizable soundtrack, so you really can't complain about the tunes in this one at all as you can use your own. The sound overall is booming and very fitting to the theme of the game with some excellent sound effects, the sound of the ships explosions etc can only be truly realised through a Dolby 5.1 system.

Longevity:
One thing is that Quantum Redshift Is not an easy game, as you progress opening up new levels, new characters and higher speed racing, once you reach Expert mode upwards time is going to need to be your friend as it will suddenly take several attempts to compete each circuit and progress through the game. Additionally, there is also plenty to unlock here, basically you will have to beat the game with each of the sixteen characters to get everything. This means that you will be playing this one for quite some time. QR is also very addictive and fun and you will have a hard time putting this one down.

Round Up:
Although Quantum Redshift has been somewhat of a sleeping giant and not necessarily received that much hype or publicity this is defiantly a game that most Xbox owners should at least have a look at, if futuristic racing is your thing this is a must have title.

Pros:

• Sharp, Smooth, highly detailed and bloody fast.
  
• Hi-Res scenery that zips by at over 900MPH.
  
• Lot’s to master here.
  

  Cons:
  

  • Soon becomes extremely difficult.
    
  • Craft feel very light.