Undoubtedly, this is one of the biggest seasons for racing game releases. With games like Juiced, Need for Speed Underground 2, and Burnout 3, among others, it's becoming tougher for games to differentiate themselves from the competition. SRS: Street Racing Syndicate has found a way, though, with the inclusion of "the SRS girls," a team of racing models that serve as your girlfriends throughout the game.

Hey, it's something, right? Unfortunately, it's one of the only things that really helps SRS stand out. Other than the eighteen females and their three videos apiece, there's little that SRS does that other games don't. So, what does it do?

SRS takes a page from the film The Fast and the Furious and tries to bring the underground racing scene home for you. Starting off with some cash and a somewhat limited car showroom, it's up to you to buy a car that'll take you through crew meets and street challenges on your way to the only thing that matters (other than money): respect. The more respect you earn, the more races are open to you, the more cash you make, the more cars you buy, and the more ladies you "hook up" with.

The game begins in your garage, where you can (insert cliche sarcastic comment about cliches) pimp your ride. Performance upgrades include tuning up your engine to get the most horsepower out of it, equipping your vehicle with some nitrous, and even hooking up some neons and bodykits. Meanwhile, cosmetic upgrades will allow you to customize the look of your car through vinyls and stickers with a variety of pre-made designs. Through Xbox Live, you will see that there is no way there's a car that's even remotely similar to yours, and you'll find yourself staying in the garage for awhile before any race. People looking for a true simulation should look elsewhere, though, as the options are somewhat limited. More designs and selections would have been welcome, but SRS is still no slouch.

Starting off in the overview map, you're able to cruise the city to reach different points on the map. You can meet up with different crews to challenge them to a series of three races, or you can find other street racers for some one-on-one racing action. While you're cruising around, though, don't drive too recklessly or you'll find the wrath of the 5-0. They're out in force, and they don't play around.

Other things you can do include respect challenges, where you can woo new girls around town with your moves, and then take them back to your warehouse to watch their videos (remember, this game is rated T, so it's not too risque but it's not at all innocent). Every time you win a series, the girlfriend you're with at the moment will unlock another video, revealing a more scantily clad model until you get all three videos. Sure, it may seem wrong, but chalk it up to gratuitous pandering to the audience interested in SRS in the first place.

As for the racing itself, SRS is all about arcade gameplay, with fast action, tricky maneuvers, and fun street courses. Less Gran Turismo and more Project Gotham Racing, you'll find yourself jostling with up to three other opponents (who you can wager against before a race) through city streets full of life and color.

The control is fairly easy to pick up, and drifting is a big part of the game as you use the handbrake for sharp turns. Nitrous boosts are also part of the strategy, as they give you a jolt of speed. However, you better keep an eye on that meter. Once it's gone, it's gone for the whole series until you head back to the garage to buy a new bottle.

The racing itself is fairly fun because of the sense of style behind it. The graphics have a certain gloss to them, with buildings basked in neon and video walls lining the tracks. This is definitely a good-looking game, with some very impressive reflection effects. And wait 'til you hit the NOS. Very nice, indeed.

After playing this game for a bit, one is struck by how important style is to this game. The racing is more fun because of the high finish and presentation, but the gameplay is largely underwhelming. It is your fairly standard street racer, and while it's done in an extremely competent manner, it really brings little new to the table. Other than the ladies and the nice overworld map, SRS is nothing new.

But if you're looking for a solid street racer with some visual punch, SRS is for you. The gameplay is solid, the graphics are well done, and while the soundtrack is disappointing (no customizing either), the game has enough going for it to be worth a rental. However, if you're into the street racing scene, buy this game. SRS may be as shallow as some twenty-twos, but you may be having too much fun to care.