MotorStorm Apocalypse review
Motorstorm Apocalypse
Platform : PS3 exclusive
Developer : Evolution Studio’s
Publisher : Sony
Motor storm Apocalypse is the fourth instalment in the MotorStorm franchise, and the third on PS3. The first two PS3 titles have seen the race events tackle dusty off road tracks and the deep jungle settings, but now the over the top racing event moves into an urban setting.
The setting this time is a small city called simply “The City”. The City has just been hit by a massive earthquake that not only signals the end for the city but also the start of the Apocalypse. What better time to have a race? It’s no longer just a race, but rather a race to survive.
This sets the scene for 48hours of racing in an epic real time dismantling of the city, MotorStorm boasts 40 unique races, over a track that is ever changing as the city crumbles. The tracks can totally change at any stage during the race, whether that is a bridge twisting back on itself or a highway collapsing, to even racing through toppling office blocks
A number of people have remained in the city, they are the unfortunate down and outs, and a number of criminal gangs looking to take over the city, generally those people who have nothing to lose in the first place. They litter the streets and act as obstacles for you to “dodge” and will throw petrol bombs at your car as your wiz around. If that wasn’t enough you also have to content with the police trying to evacuate the city.
All the disaster not only offers an ever changing track layout, but also many take down opportunities. Although things can get a bit hectic from time to time, and on more than one occasion I just couldn’t see which way I was meant to be travelling. Not due to any lack of signage but simply because that screen was full of dark smoke.
The racing mechanics are quite simplistic and for the most part you just drive as fast as you can without crashing, cornering is nothing special either with little skill needed to traverse 90degree corners. At your disposal is a boost button rather than needing to recharge this, you need to cool your engine so it can only be used in short bursts. Mainly on ramps of to steady yourself if you happen to be drifting too wide.
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The take downs are a major part in fact sometimes they feel more important than the racing and this leads to some issues. For example it is quicker to crash and re-spawn than to actually try to slow your car and avoid smashing. This does give the impression that the racing is actually secondary to the crash scenes. Initially this is ok, but can get frustrating after the initial novelty has worn off.
Balance is also a huge issue, at your disposal there are 13 different types of fully customisable vehicles , such as bikes, quads, cars trucks or Lorries. There seems little or no real difference in speed between any of them, but there is a massive difference in strength. For example if a lorry and a bike come together there will only be one winner. The bike you would think would be compensated with extra pace, but its only really been boosted by better handling and since the larger vehicle handle quite well the difference is negligible.
Online is where this game really takes off, although I only got to test out the online for a short period playing in an organised event against some of the Evolution Studios team, and I must say it is a lot of fun. It is quite difficult and you have to hold your nerve right to the end one false move and your smashed into the wall and you find yourself playing catch up again.
Online allows up to 15 players to battle it out in a number of different races with a number of different features, you can have you straight forward race but my favourite was Perks and betting races where you get to use your perks and before you start you wager your earned skill points on the outcome of the race.
Overall: Despite having a storyline running behind the races, it does very little to add to the game, the comic book style is nice but again just doesn’t add anything to the game. Some moment will frustrate you usually when you are winning a race and an out of place kerb destroys your car. But other moments will be sheer over the top racing joy.
Racing purists will find this just a tad over the top and simplistic, but fans of the series will be in their element. The location is now far more interesting and the amount of random events even online will keep you busy for a good few weeks.
The game is also fully playable in 3D if you are lucky enough to own one
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SCORE “C” Very Good Game
HOW TO DECIPHER OUR NEW SCORES
A= OUTSTANDING. A must buy for all gamers
B= GREAT GAME. Few tiny flaws just keeping it from top spot
C= VERY GOOD GAME. Solid but maybe just for fans of the genre
D= GOOD GAME. Some good bits, some bad bits but still enjoyable
E= AVERAGE GAME. Not worth full price, generally a bargain basement pickup
F= BAD GAME. Is just broken or utterly useless.
G= TERRIBLE. Don’t even read the back of the box
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