Motorstorm Apocalypse is the latest racing title from Evolution Studios. The game takes place in an apocalyptic urban city that is mainly abandoned. The Motorstorm festival is here to host races around the city bombarded by natural disasters.
With the game delayed due to a terrible real-world natural disasters in Japan and New Zealand, the game is finally out. So will Motorstorm Apocalypse managed to boost into first place, or will it crash out into last?
Let’s find out and kick off the HOTs and NOTs.
HOT
Presentation
The graphics and the effects are once again phenomenal. The cars to the tracks that collapse and change around the player; everything looks amazing. The picturesque graphics are only improved by the effects; the motion blurring at top speeds, the shaking of the camera when nearly exploding, and the mud and water that splatters the screen from the rear of the car. Just like previous MotorStorm titles, the soundtrack helps further the fast paced racing. Not only are the fast beats pleasing to the ear, they also help pump up your adrenaline while travelling at high speeds
Changing Track
The most obvious new feature to the MotorStorm series is the dynamic real time events. It’s not a brand-new feature to racing games – it’s been seen in other games such as Split Second – but MotorStorm Apocalypse manages to keep the gameplay fresh, no matter how many times players see it.
Quite possibly this is because the same events don’t actually occur at the same time in every race. While the big events such as a buildings falling create the racetrack, do happen every time; the smaller events which just open up or close certain routes vary. In fact, in some races some of the minor ones don’t even happen at all. This means players constantly have to be on their toes, increasing the fast paced temperament of the game.
Cartoon Story
The story isn’t much but at the end of the day. It helps link together the individual races. The cartoon cut-scenes are all pleasant to watch and does add some substance and back-story to why the players are there in the first place. It is quite helpful for explaining why there are racers driving round a city which is not only collapsing but being hit by tornadoes. It is also a nice way of hiding some of the game’s loading times and if you really don’t want to see it can be skipped.
Stunts
Bikes and ATVs will no longer be picked just for their ability of weaving in and out of collapsing signs and roads, but now they’ll be picked for the crazy stunts that the player can perform. Whether it’s using the bike as a surfboard or holding on by just the handlebars while in midair, they are all extremely impressive when pulled off. Of course there is one problem with the stunts that balances them out. People caught trying to show off, will soon find out that is not in fact the best idea to stunt off every jump. While it might occasionally work, most of the time players will find themselves hitting the floor too early and crashing: which naturally isn’t the best way to win a race.
Multiplayer
Multiplayer certainly has improved since Pacific Rift. Not only is the online virtually lag free, but players have the option to do split screen both on and off-line. MotorStorm Apocalypse’s multiplayer unsurprisingly majorly intensifies the competitive nature of the title. When the players’ rivals change from the AI to fifteen other players from around the world or just their friends, everything seems to be more important.
The backbone of the online section is a poker chip style rank and experience system. Players can earn chips by wiping other players out, betting on the race winner, winning themselves as well as many other ways. This system seems to suit MotorStorm well, the game is still fun wherever you are first, last or anywhere in between. The multiplayer also gives players perks to give different players, different advantages. It gives players even more unique experiences. Perks for example half respawn time or increase players grip.
Amount of Content
MotorStorm Apocalypse certainly doesn’t lack in content. With past MotorStorm titles there was the underlying feeling that the unique tracks were good but there weren’t enough of them. This time there are 40 unique tracks. More than enough tracks to keep any racer satisfied. Groups of tracks share the same theme but overall are all different, which means tracks never seem too similar familiar and repetitive.
On top of the amount of tracks, MotorStorm Apocalypse offers an incredible amount of vehicles. From dirt bikes and choppers to rally cars and monster trucks, there are 13 separate vehicle classes. In each of these classes there at least three vehicles of that type; in total there are 40 vehicles to choose from. Each car and class has their own attributes, some trade speed handling, some may be light but will get bogged down in the mud and others might easily brush opponents outside but will fail to get any air whatsoever. The preference really is up to the player to pick the racing style of their choice and with the 13 classes, there truly is something that everybody.
Customization
On top of all the vehicles players can choose from, they can also customize their rides. Players have the option to change things such as the engine and the brakes, but they also have the ability to choose the paintwork of their vehicles. When players head online, they will also be given other options. Once unlocked, players can decide to change the appearance of their rider; as well as their in game emblem, which will appear above the main races. The level of customization is a nice feature, as it means players can personalise their experience, thus getting more out.
NOT
Cameras
While MotorStorm players have the option of three camera angles, including one that is attached to the vehicle but unfortunately there isn’t an in-car camera angle. With such fast and intense gameplay races would really been maximized with such a camera angle.
Oddly enough there is even a trophy named FPR (standing for first person racer) which uses the attached camera angle. This would’ve been much more fitting if it had actually used a first person camera angle. By no means are the other camera angles bad and in fact the attached camera angle certainly does put the player almost as much into the race, it’s just a feature that would have been nice: hopefully the developer will patch it in.
VERDICT
MotorStorm Apocalypse is a fantastic sequel. It manages to bring the fast pace and intense racing gameplay from the islands into a city. The real-time dynamic events flow smoothly into the gameplay and while slightly over the top, they are great fun to witness. If you’re looking for a crazy, heart-pumping, racing experience look no further: if you’re looking for a realistic driving experience, then MotorStorm Apocalypse probably isn’t your cup of tea. The game both looks and sounds amazing but ultimately the most important part is, its fun to play.
[Editor’s Note: Motorstorm Apocalypse was reviewed on the PlayStation 3 platform. The game was provided to us by the publisher for review purposes.]
