"L.A. Rush," an arcade-style street racing game, stalls in too many gears for gamers to shell out $50.

For starters, there isn’t an online mode. The lack of an online outlet forces gamers to play primarily in "L.A. Rush’s" story mode. The background in this mode, and the other mini-games, is outstanding. "Rush" gives a good feel and visual of the sprawling mecca of L.A.

But the strong visual effects get wasted in a boring plot line. The story mode puts you as Trikz Lane, a self-made millionaire who gained his fortune by conquering the street racing circuit. Trikz loses his fortune and his award-winning car collection thanks to some chicanery from Trikz’s archrival, Lidell Rey.

This plot is hollow, and the missions you have to carry out in reclaiming your cars are lame. The graphics during the cinematic portion of the story mode look like something out of "Claymation."

The racing features bumping and grinding against a nice mixture of cars and trucks, and major collisions. In fact, during big wrecks, "L.A. Rush" goes into a dramatic super-slow-motion shot that shows the impact and magnifies the sound of the metal carnage.

"L.A. Rush" also serves as a vehicle for West Coast Customs, the shop that tricks out vehicles in the show "Pimp My Ride." You go in the shop, when you have the right amount of cash, and out pops a new ride. Gamers have no say in the modification process.

© 2005, Detroit Free Press.

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