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Upshift StrikeRacer
(2007, Video Games - Massively Multi-player Online Game (MMOG), Rated NR, Play it on: Windows)
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings(Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)
Not age appropriate for kids under 11, age appropriate for kids over 13; suggested age 12. -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Free online racing game, but hidden costs abound.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 12–13
The good stuff
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Educational value:
What to watch out for
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Violence:
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Sex:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
This review of Upshift StrikeRacer was written by Harold Goldberg
Parents need to know that this is a massively multiplayer online racing game which is offered for free, but that equipping your race car can cost money. While racing against others, you can do damage to other opponents because your car comes equipped with weapons, including fast-loading machine guns and roof-mounted mortars. The game features short races, but the quest to level up is addictive.
Families Can Talk About
Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
- Families can talk about what it would be like in real life to be a race driver. Did you like racing against people from around the world? Was this online experience better or worse than playing a console-based racing game?
More on Upshift StrikeRacer
What’s the Story?
UPSHIFT STRIKERACER presents a strange story for a massively multiplayer online racing game. It's the 21st century and there is no more death, just immortality. People want to engage in "self-actualization and higher pursuits," like "the primal male desire for ballistic carnage." So in this world, higher pursuits means racing cars while inflicting violence. Plus, in the world of Upshift StrikeRacer, currency is potatoes. Why potatoes? They're "prized for their beauty."
While the story Upshift StrikeRacer is bizarre and badly crafted, the free gameplay is pretty tight and fairly compelling from the get-go. After downloading a 312mg file and opening it up, you're almost ready to play. You'll have to choose a car with names like Groovy or ThudMaster and probably want to make it cool with a fancy body kit and weapons by using potato money currency.
CloseIs It Any Good?
You'll see a lag through your broadband connection before the race. As the camera pans on seven cars with drivers like you from around the world, the scene is somewhat choppy. But once you get rolling, you'll see beautiful vistas amid the crazy carnage that occurs on the track. Sometimes the frame rate will drop. But overall, the driving experience so realistic, you may want to level up all the way to 60, which will take a lot of time and money, too. It will also take you some time to get the hang of racing and using weapons simultaneously.
The game has one big issue: it's not upfront about its costs. When you click on the FAQs to try to find out how much upgrades actually cost in dollars not tubers, the cost is hidden, as if they're trying to pull something on the player. The game is good and occasionally exciting when things blow up; so there's no reason not to be upfront about the costs. With over 20 racing course maps, 13 kinds of vehicles, and even a single player mode, there's a lot here. Another issue with the game is that there are cheaters in the game. You can even see them proudly post their cheating videos on YouTube.
ClosePublisher’s Details
Released on 07/12/2007, price $FREE, not online enabled
ESRB rating: NR
ESRB rating: NR
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