Split-screen multiplayer finally makes it into the game--a glaring omission in the original. Pacific Rift allows up to 4 players to join up locally on any of the tracks, whereas a grand total of 16 can compete in online races. Another welcome improvement is the inclusion of more tracks. Double the number of venues are being crafted for the game, giving you a total of 16 tracks to play online.

Although the game is far from complete--we're told that it's approximately halfway through the development process--Sony plans on shipping it at the end of October. We certainly can't complain about getting the chance to play Pacific Rift in its entirety so soon, but we're a little concerned that it could get pushed out the door too soon. Many of the missing features that plagued the first game's release were undoubtedly caused by the same reason, so here's to hoping that Pacific Rift doesn't suffer the same fate.

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