February 2008

MX vs. ATV Untamed

February 8, 2008

PS3 / Reviews / by Paul Bishop Make a comment! / Tweet it!

Trying to capitalize on vehicles that you wouldn’t normally play in a racing game, MX vs. ATV: Untamed takes dirt bikes, ATVs, and Monster Trucks and pits them against each other to create an arcade racer that strives to be more.

The game’s biggest perk is the sheer amount of vehicles and play modes available. ATVs handle differently than dune buggies and indoor arena tracks are a world apart from the outdoor rally. Perks end there, though. The game quickly devolves into an average experience as the thrill of taking a jump leads to the inevitable crashing down to earth because you didn’t hit the lip of the ramp correctly. Moreover, the developers attempted to walk a specific line with physics and controls that lands somewhere between technical simulation racing and arcade; what they end up with is an unbalanced feel to the game. They should have chosen physics or arcade only, and stuck with it.

You can tell the developers were trying to get the best of both worlds and they mostly succeed with a lot of quick action and forgiving turns that make the game easy to pick up but occasionally the developers threw in some technical details that may frustrate players on both ends of the spectrums. Jumps are especially tricky and unforgiving; if you have any momentum approaching a ramp you need to steer the L3 control before and during the actual jump to land correctly, or suffer the ensuing crash. Add to that the random hazards such as water or snow on the course and winning a race is really a tricky endeavor. Ultimately, the gameplay proves to be too weak for the hardcore racer looking for Motorstorm action and too frustrating for the casual gamer looking for a beefed up Mario Kart.

The PS3 version of the game has decent graphics considering it is a multi-platform entry. The riders and terrain are slightly blocky but the frame rate forgives a lot of the lack of detail as you go zooming past. The PS3 also allows for customization to your vehicles as you progress, giving you options for more power and control. Multiplayer handles two players on the game or races of up to 8 players online, but beyond that there isn’t much to online functionality.

If you are looking for a no-brainer racer that gives you fast action and even faster crashes you have come to the right place. If you are looking for a technical racer and tricks then you might find some of that here, but probably not in the form you are going to enjoy.

MX vs. ATV Untamed

February 8, 2008

PlayStation 2 / Reviews / by Paul Bishop Make a comment! / Tweet it!

Trying to capitalize on vehicles that you wouldn’t normally play in a racing game, MX vs. ATV: Untamed takes dirt bikes, ATVs, and Monster Trucks and pits them against each other to create an arcade racer that strives to be more.

The game’s biggest perk is the sheer amount of vehicles and play modes available. ATVs handle differently than dune buggies and indoor arena tracks are a world apart from the outdoor rally. Perks end there, though. The game quickly devolves into an average experience as the thrill of taking a jump leads to the inevitable crashing down to earth because you didn’t hit the lip of the ramp correctly. Moreover, the developers attempted to walk a specific line with physics and controls that lands somewhere between technical simulation racing and arcade; what they end up with is an unbalanced feel to the game. They should have chosen physics or arcade only, and stuck with it.

You can tell the developers were trying to get the best of both worlds and they mostly succeed with a lot of quick action and forgiving turns that make the game easy to pick up but occasionally the developers threw in some technical details that may frustrate players on both ends of the spectrums. Jumps are especially tricky and unforgiving; if you have any momentum approaching a ramp you need to steer the L3 control before and during the actual jump to land correctly, or suffer the ensuing crash. Add to that the random hazards such as water or snow on the course and winning a race is really a tricky endeavor. Ultimately, the gameplay proves to be too weak for the hardcore racer looking for Motorstorm action and too frustrating for the casual gamer looking for a beefed up Mario Kart.

Graphically the PS2 wins on this multiplatform entry; riders and terrain are slightly blocky but are better than a lot of the newer same-system titles. The PS2 also allows for customization to your vehicles as you progress, giving you options for new designs and sponsor logos. Multiplayer handles two players on the game or races of up to 6 players online, but beyond that there isn’t much to online functionality.

If you are looking for a no-brainer racer that gives you fast action and even faster crashes you have come to the right place. If you are looking for a technical racer and tricks then you might find some of that here, but probably not in the form you are going to enjoy.

MX vs. ATV Untamed

February 8, 2008

Reviews / Xbox 360 / by Justin Last Make a comment! / Tweet it!

MX vs ATV Untamed is a strange mix of simulation and arcade racing, and that mix makes it difficult to really enjoy the game. Previous Rainbow games also married arcade and simulation, but it seemed to be done on purpose and for gameplay purposes. Untamed, however, doesn’t balance the two well, and it feels like it was supposed to be either a sim game with arcade parts that should be taken out or vice-versa.

Graphically, MX vs ATV Untamed is a disappointment. Models are lackluster, textures are bland, and the whole package looks like it came from two years ago. Sound, however, is a different story. Vehicles sound appropriate, and the soundtrack – even if the individual songs are your personal favorites – feel at home in the multiple event types.

Event types and vehicle types are both varied and interesting. Some events happen inside a stadium and have you driving your dirt bike over tire-crested hills, man-made mud puddles, and random logs while other events have you driving your dune buggy from flag to flag in a true off-road race where you’re racing just as much against the trees and other obstacles as your fellow racers. Unfortunately, the aforementioned arcade/simulation dichotomy rears its ugly head in the control scheme. You can still jump unrealistically high, but landing then has realism elements which causes you to crash 99 times out of 100. You can take a right-angle turn at full speed and be no worse for the wear, but nudging a rival racer is likely to send you careening off the race track. The whole thing just feels sloppy. Rainbow should have gone all-out arcade or all-out simulation, because this bizarre amalgamation of the two is difficult and frustrating to play. I’m all for difficulty in games, but I want to be battling racers, not the game engine.

Multiplayer split screen is available, and it’s fun to compete with friends, but where the multiplayer really shines is the loading screen for a local two-player game. While MX vs ATV loads the track both racers are placed in an indoor arena with a couple of ramps and hills of various sizes. Playing tag in the loading area sandbox is much more fun that racing on the available tracks. This should come up in play testing. Attention developers: if the loading screen is ever more fun than the main attraction you’ve got more work to do.

There are better simulation racers (Forza 2, Test Drive Unlimited) and better arcade racers (Burnout Revenge / Paradise) available for the 360, and unless you desperately want to compete in Motocross and Endurocross events, I can’t recommend MX vs ATV Untamed; it’s just too inconsistent to be fun as more than a rental.

MX vs. ATV Untamed

February 8, 2008

DS / Reviews / by Justin Last Make a comment! / Tweet it!

MX vs ATV Untamed is a strange mix of simulation and arcade racing, and that mix makes it difficult to really enjoy the game. Previous Rainbow games also married arcade and simulation, but it seemed to be done on purpose and for gameplay purposes. Untamed, however, doesn’t balance the two well, and it feels like it was supposed to be either a sim game with arcade parts that should be taken out or vice-versa.

Graphically, MX vs ATV Untamed is a disappointment. Models are lackluster, textures are bland, and the whole package looks like it came from two years ago. Race tracks all look the same, and MX vs ATV Untamed doesn’t push the already-underpowered DS. Sound, however, is a different story. Vehicles sound appropriate, and the soundtrack – even if the individual songs are your personal favorites – feel at home in the multiple event types.

Event types and vehicle types are both varied and interesting. Some events happen inside a stadium and have you driving your dirt bike over tire-crested hills, man-made mud puddles, and random logs while other events have you driving your dune buggy from flag to flag in a true off-road race where you’re racing just as much against the trees and other obstacles as your fellow racers. Unfortunately, the aforementioned arcade/simulation dichotomy rears its ugly head in the control scheme. You can still jump unrealistically high, but landing then has realism elements which causes you to crash 99 times out of 100. You can take a right-angle turn at full speed and be no worse for the wear, but nudging a rival racer is likely to send you careening off the race track. The whole thing just feels sloppy. Rainbow should have gone all-out arcade or all-out simulation, because this bizarre amalgamation of the two is difficult and frustrating to play. I’m all for difficulty in games, but I want to be battling racers, not the game engine.

There are better racers available for the DS (Mario Kart DS), and unless you desperately want to compete in Motocross and Endurocross events, I can’t recommend MX vs ATV Untamed; it’s just too inconsistent to be fun as more than a rental.

Assassin’s Creed

February 8, 2008

PS3 / Reviews / by Paul Bishop Make a comment! / Tweet it!

Disgraced for failing to live up to the assassin’s creed, Altair must climb his way back to the top, sticking to the shadows and taking out his targets. Using brute strength, reflexes and stealth, you must navigate the streets of Damascus, Acre, and Jerusalem, gathering information and help as you take out nine historical figures during the Crusades.

Essentially Assassin’s Creed is a glorified open world map game such as Grand Theft Auto, just placed in the middle ages. Where it doesn’t match the variety in the GTA series it more than makes up for with gameplay, ambiance and story. You will totally immerse yourself in three cities, packed with citizens going about their daily business. Beggars harangue you, people in trouble call for help and preachers proselytize as you navigate the streets in this richly detailed game. Beautifully intricate, the cities breathe with life to the point where you can almost smell the dirt and filth in the gutters. The story only solidifies this world as you overhear conversations and gather information about your intended targets, driving the point home that this is more than just a simple game.

The only thing better than walking around in this world, is fighting in it. As a demoted assassin, your tools of the trade are stripped from you in the beginning, but as you complete more and more missions, you regain access to these weapons and abilities. In the beginning this may be daunting to the casual player, as a single enemy proves to be a difficult fight. But with more of your arsenal at hand, you will take out groups with ease. The fluidity of the controls and combat only enhance the immersion, making this more than a passive movie-like experience. Two buttons let you attack and block, but combine these two with good timing and you can do so much more. Simple controls prove to be anything but in the hands of a master, and though that may sound daunting, it won’t take long for you to get comfortable. Once you do, you will be actively looking to take on more and more just to welcome the challenging odds.

You must scout out the city and report information to your local contact before actually attempting the assassination. By climbing towers to fill out your map you gain locations of informants and save-the-citizen type side-quests. Completing these will increase your health bar, and also encourage the occasional vigilante group to back you up; they help slow down pursuing guards and can mean the difference between life and death. Beyond that, you can gather flags strewn around each area. This doesn’t give you any more than bragging rights, but adds something else to do. A little more effort in side-quests might have greatly enhanced the game experience past its basically linear story progression.

Graphically the game is stunning on both systems. Some 360 users’ claim the PS3 version is washed out, but with a few changes of the display settings they appear indistinguishable. The animations are also extremely impressive, such as Altair’s gentle pushes while navigating through crowds, or his seamless climbing. Overall, the graphics and sound help further the cinematic quality of the game, with only minor nits on an otherwise perfect mesh of form and function.

In the end, Assassin’s Creed will be remembered as a high-quality endeavor that beautifully blended action, control and intrigue into a completely immersive gameplay experience.

← Previous Entries

Next Entries →