"You're tuned to seventy-six point five on your radio dial, Ridge City FM."
The sun setting on the horizon paints the city and its streets a golden yellow hue. DJ Ken Ayugai tells me over the radio that we've got the perfect weather conditions for a grand prix today. I can't say I disagree.
I take the wheel and speed my gorgeously rendered Fiera through the futuristic Japanese city streets, along looping expressways and down its winding coastal clifftops overlooking the sea, all at a lightning fast 60fps. Welcome to the age of PS2, baby.
The sound of roaring engines and rubber tires burning on asphalt fills the cool evening air.
Narrowly avoiding collision against the extremely aggressive and punishing AI, I carefully manoeuvre my way through the pack one by one towards my ridge racing destiny.
On the radio, "Paris" (Nobuyoshi Sano) begins to play, its ethereal techno sounds punctuated with cool, emotionally charged piano runs.
Chills tingle down my spine. I'm in the zone now.
I can almost feel the cool evening air in my face as I take the final stretch of road, my palms sweaty but mind razor focused.
The wise words of DJ Ken reverberate inside my head-
"Those drivers face danger at every turn of the track. You've got to give them crazy daredevils some respect for that."
Damn right you do.
The culmination of hours of practise and hard work, I ease off the accelerator, executing an inch perfect drift as I turn into the final corner, soaring past my stunned rival and putting me firmly into first place.
DJ Ken says "That's some wicked steering! Check him out!"
Thanks DJ Ken.
I can taste victory now. Those countless hours learning every inch of every track is finally paying off. This is my time.
Heart racing, I leave my opponent behind me in a trail of dust and roll over the finish line, triumphant.
"There goes the winner! What an incredible race!"
I cheered. I shouted. I fist pumped the air. Nothing prepares you for this.
I win. I am the Ridge Racer.
And just like that, I am snapped back to reality by my girlfriend, looking distinctly unimpressed…
"I'll be impressed when you stop playing on easy mode, bitch"
The sun setting on the horizon paints the city and its streets a golden yellow hue. DJ Ken Ayugai tells me over the radio that we've got the perfect weather conditions for a grand prix today. I can't say I disagree.
I take the wheel and speed my gorgeously rendered Fiera through the futuristic Japanese city streets, along looping expressways and down its winding coastal clifftops overlooking the sea, all at a lightning fast 60fps. Welcome to the age of PS2, baby.
The sound of roaring engines and rubber tires burning on asphalt fills the cool evening air.
Narrowly avoiding collision against the extremely aggressive and punishing AI, I carefully manoeuvre my way through the pack one by one towards my ridge racing destiny.
On the radio, "Paris" (Nobuyoshi Sano) begins to play, its ethereal techno sounds punctuated with cool, emotionally charged piano runs.
Chills tingle down my spine. I'm in the zone now.
I can almost feel the cool evening air in my face as I take the final stretch of road, my palms sweaty but mind razor focused.
The wise words of DJ Ken reverberate inside my head-
"Those drivers face danger at every turn of the track. You've got to give them crazy daredevils some respect for that."
Damn right you do.
The culmination of hours of practise and hard work, I ease off the accelerator, executing an inch perfect drift as I turn into the final corner, soaring past my stunned rival and putting me firmly into first place.
DJ Ken says "That's some wicked steering! Check him out!"
Thanks DJ Ken.
I can taste victory now. Those countless hours learning every inch of every track is finally paying off. This is my time.
Heart racing, I leave my opponent behind me in a trail of dust and roll over the finish line, triumphant.
"There goes the winner! What an incredible race!"
I cheered. I shouted. I fist pumped the air. Nothing prepares you for this.
I win. I am the Ridge Racer.
And just like that, I am snapped back to reality by my girlfriend, looking distinctly unimpressed…
"I'll be impressed when you stop playing on easy mode, bitch"