First look: Mad Dash Racing

Eidos Interactive has released the first details on Mad Dash Racing, its racing-combat game for the Microsoft Xbox. In the game, players can select from a group of nine racers, each with his or her own strengths and weakness. Some are faster runners and others are more adept at gliding, while others yet are stronger and better at attack moves. Players will have such abilities as gliding, bashing, dashing, sliding, swimming, jumping, and climbing at their disposal. Aside from those basic moves, players will also be able to unleash special attacks such as trip wires, rolling boulders, and TNT.

Mad Dash Racing features two primary modes of play. In the split-screen multiplayer mode, players can compete against three human or computer-controlled racers. In single-player, the object is to master all seven races and defeat two bosses. The action takes place in eight brightly colored environments, including a lava-filled volcano, a snowy ski resort, an underwater pipe world, and a lush forest, among others. The environments are highly interactive, as there are hidden shortcuts and the racers have to deal with environmental hazards such as falling magma balls, sticky tar pits, and man-eating plants.

Mad Dash Racing is being developed by Crystal Dynamics and will be released on the Xbox this fall. GameSpot will have more as it becomes available.