Crazy Taxi 3: High Roller

Crazy Taxi 3: High Roller is an arcade-style racing game where players take on the role of a taxi driver in the vibrant city of Glitter Oasis, inspired by Las Vegas. The game features four new drivers and includes reworked versions of levels from previous Crazy Taxi games, along with a mini-game mode called Crazy X for varied gameplay. Players must deliver passengers to their destinations quickly to earn high fares and unlock new challenges.

Crazy Taxi 3: High Roller: Review

Introduction

In the pantheon of arcade-style racing games, few titles have left as indelible a mark as Sega’s Crazy Taxi series. Crazy Taxi 3: High Roller, released in 2002 for the Xbox and later ported to Windows, stands as a testament to the series’ enduring appeal—even as it grapples with the weight of its own legacy. This review aims to dissect High Roller in its entirety, examining its development history, gameplay mechanics, and lasting impact on the gaming landscape. By the end, we’ll determine whether this entry in the Crazy Taxi saga is a worthy successor or a missed opportunity.

Development History & Context

The Studio and Its Vision

Crazy Taxi 3: High Roller was developed by Hitmaker, a studio known for its work on the Crazy Taxi series and other arcade-style titles. The game was published by Sega, a company that had already established the Crazy Taxi franchise as a staple of the Dreamcast era. The developers aimed to build upon the success of the first two games while introducing new elements to keep the series fresh.

Technological Constraints and the Gaming Landscape

Released in 2002, High Roller arrived during a transitional period in gaming. The Dreamcast, the original home of the Crazy Taxi series, had been discontinued, and the Xbox was emerging as a formidable competitor to Sony’s PlayStation 2. The game was developed for the Xbox, taking advantage of its more powerful hardware to enhance graphics and performance. However, the transition from Dreamcast to Xbox was not without its challenges, as evidenced by some of the game’s technical shortcomings.

The gaming landscape in 2002 was dominated by open-world titles like Grand Theft Auto III, which offered a more immersive and narrative-driven experience. Crazy Taxi 3 had to carve out its own niche in a market that was increasingly favoring depth over pure arcade action.

Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive

Plot and Characters

Crazy Taxi 3: High Roller eschews traditional storytelling in favor of a straightforward premise: you play as one of several taxi drivers navigating three distinct cities—West Coast (San Francisco), Small Apple (New York), and the new Glitter Oasis (Las Vegas)—to pick up and drop off passengers as quickly as possible. The game’s charm lies not in its narrative but in its chaotic, high-speed gameplay and the quirky personalities of its drivers.

The drivers themselves are a motley crew, each with their own unique vehicles and quirks. New additions like Angel and Bixbite bring fresh energy to the series, while returning favorites like B.D. Joe and Cinnamon offer a sense of continuity. The dialogue is intentionally over-the-top, adding to the game’s irreverent tone.

Themes and Atmosphere

The game’s themes revolve around the thrill of the chase, the adrenaline rush of high-speed driving, and the absurdity of urban life. The cities are filled with eccentric characters and landmarks, creating a world that is both familiar and fantastical. The Las Vegas-inspired Glitter Oasis, in particular, captures the neon-lit excess of Sin City, complete with casinos, desert landscapes, and a sense of perpetual nightlife.

Gameplay Mechanics & Systems

Core Gameplay Loop

At its core, Crazy Taxi 3 is a score-attack game where the player must pick up passengers and deliver them to their destinations as quickly as possible. The game features a time limit, and players must manage both the overall clock and the individual timers for each passenger. The faster you deliver a passenger, the higher the fare—and the more tips you earn.

Crazy Stunts and Progression

One of the game’s standout features is the inclusion of “Crazy Stunts,” which allow players to perform dramatic maneuvers like drifts, jumps, and near misses to earn extra money. These stunts are not just for show; they are integral to the gameplay, encouraging players to take risks and explore shortcuts.

The game also introduces the ability to pick up multiple passengers, each with different destinations. This adds a layer of strategy, as players must decide whether to prioritize speed or efficiency.

Crazy X Mode

A significant addition to Crazy Taxi 3 is the Crazy X mode, a collection of mini-games that test the player’s driving skills in various ways. These mini-games range from hitting targets with your taxi to navigating obstacle courses, offering a break from the main gameplay loop while still challenging players to master the game’s mechanics.

User Interface and Controls

The user interface is straightforward, with a minimalist HUD that displays essential information like the passenger’s destination and the remaining time. The controls are responsive, with the Xbox controller providing precise handling for the game’s high-speed antics. However, some players have noted that the controls can feel clunky at times, particularly when attempting precise maneuvers.

World-Building, Art & Sound

Visual Design and Setting

Crazy Taxi 3 features three distinct cities, each with its own unique aesthetic. West Coast and Small Apple return from the previous games, now with updated graphics and nighttime settings. Glitter Oasis, the new Las Vegas-inspired level, is the most visually striking, with its neon lights and desert landscapes.

The game’s art style is a mix of cartoony and realistic elements, creating a world that is both vibrant and chaotic. The cities are filled with detailed landmarks and eccentric characters, adding to the game’s charm.

Sound Design and Music

The soundtrack is a mix of punk rock and alternative tracks, featuring bands like The Offspring, Bad Religion, and Pivit. The music is energetic and perfectly complements the game’s high-speed action. The voice acting is equally over-the-top, with drivers shouting encouragement and passengers reacting to the chaos of the ride.

Reception & Legacy

Critical and Commercial Reception

Crazy Taxi 3: High Roller received mixed reviews upon its release. Critics praised the game’s addictive gameplay and the inclusion of the previous games’ levels, but many noted that the new content was lacking. The Glitter Oasis level, in particular, was criticized for its framerate issues and lack of innovation.

Despite the mixed reviews, the game found a dedicated fanbase. It was included in the book 1001 Video Games You Must Play Before You Die, a testament to its enduring appeal. The game’s legacy lies in its ability to capture the essence of the Crazy Taxi series while introducing new elements that kept the formula fresh.

Influence on Subsequent Games

Crazy Taxi 3 did not directly spawn a sequel, but its influence can be seen in later arcade-style racing games. The game’s emphasis on high-speed, chaotic driving and its use of mini-games to break up the main gameplay loop have become staples of the genre. The Crazy Taxi series itself has seen occasional revivals, with titles like Crazy Taxi: Catch a Ride and Crazy Taxi: City Rush building upon the foundation laid by High Roller.

Conclusion

Crazy Taxi 3: High Roller is a game that straddles the line between innovation and nostalgia. While it may not have pushed the boundaries of the genre as much as some critics hoped, it remains a fun and chaotic experience that captures the essence of the Crazy Taxi series. Its legacy is secure, not as a groundbreaking title, but as a worthy addition to a beloved franchise.

In the grand tapestry of video game history, Crazy Taxi 3: High Roller stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of arcade-style gaming. It may not be the definitive entry in the series, but it is a game that deserves to be remembered for its contributions to the genre and its ability to bring joy to players even two decades after its release.