Any game entering into a crowded market needs something to set itself apart from the rest of the pack, just to make sure it has a unique element to differentiate itself from the dozens of other entries in its chosen genre. When it comes to niche genres with already excellent entries to the catalogue, it’s just as important to try and ensure that your brand can’t be mistaken for brand X.

The niche genre in the case of Fuel is off-road racing, and the already excellent entries to this genre (this generation alone) include the criminally overlooked Pure and the PS3 exclusive MotorStorm series, each of which are well scoped and do what they do very well. Fuel straddles the line between these two games, offering a veritable cornucopia of vehicle types, a variety of race courses, an enormous open world environment and, a little later in the game, really awesome weather effects that add immense atmosphere to any given race, as you bound down the rocky dirt tracks and trails frantically chasing after rival competitors.

Unfortunately, Fuel doesn’t do enough to stand apart from the previously mentioned off-road racers because it fails to accentuate and celebrate its core features and hooks (which on their own could have been more than enough to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with future entries to the genre), while simultaneously wrapping its offering in a lacklustre and clumsy package.

Continue reading El33tonline’s review of Fuel.

Racers start your engines because a playable demo for Codemasters open-world racer FUEL has arrived. The demo will be available on Xbox Live Marketplace and the European PlayStation Store today. PC gamers will be able to download the demo on www.fuel-game.com from 2pm GMT today.

Players will be able to take on the Ocean Rush career event in the FUEL demo, “where 7 racers pick their own paths through treacherous landscapes and short-cuts are key to taking the chequered flag.” You will also be able to take on Blitz, “a wild, high-pressure challenge where players must race against the clock to reach the next checkpoint before time runs out.”

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Adrenaline junkies will be happy to know that Codemaster’s new racer FUEL will be racing on to shelves soon.

Watch this new multiplayer gameplay video for a sneak peak at online Free Ride where up to 16 players can race as well as Race Events where players can race against up to 15 other racers and climb online leaderboards. Players will also be able to create their own races using FUEL’s race editor.

Compete in on and off-road challenges including Circuit, Checkpoint and Raid online races with over 70 vehicles including bikes, quads, buggies, trucks and cars.

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Codemasters has released the first batch of pre-alpha screenshots for Fuel.

Currently in development at Asabo Studios, Fuel is promising the deliver “the largest environment ever created in multi-terrain race gaming.” Players will be able to race in over 5 000 square miles of different terrain, performing stunts on various two and four-wheeled rides.

Set in an alternate present where climate change has damaged areas of the world, the game features a dynamic weather system where day and night transitions, sunshine, rain as well as tornadoes, storms, lightning and even blizzards will require you to change your strategy during races. Players will also be able to go online and compete in multiplayer challenges.

Fuel is scheduled to be released on the PS3 and Xbox 360 in 2009.

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