Road Rash 3 Overview
Road Rash 3 continues the series' focus on illegal motorcycle racing, expanding the setting to an international championship. The player begins with minimal funds and an inferior motorcycle, needing to place in the top three across five races within a division to advance. Progression introduces faster opponents and more aggressive law enforcement, making the overall experience challenging.
International tracks introduce distinct environmental hazards. Racers may encounter animals crossing in Kenya and Australia, face oncoming traffic in Brazil, or navigate icy roads in Germany. The United Kingdom features rain and left-hand traffic, while Japan's courses are set at night and Italy's hilly terrain facilitates extended jumps.
Earning money through race placement allows for motorcycle upgrades rather than just new purchases. Components like tires, engine, suspension, and bodywork can be individually improved to affect handling, speed, durability, and landing stability. Police opposition escalates beyond patrol bikes to include helicopters and blocking cars.
Combat remains integral, with riders using kicks and punches to disable rivals. This installment adds new weapons, some capable of temporarily stunning opponents, which can be carried over between races if the player finishes with one in hand. The game utilizes digitized character sprites, a visual style carried over from a prior Sega-CD version.
