System: PS3, X360
Dev: Evolution Studios
Pub: Sony (SCEA)
Release: March 6, 2007
Players: 1 (12 online)
ESRB Rating: Everyone
Review by Jonathan Marx

---

Review Rating Legend
1.0 - 1.9 = Avoid
2.0 - 2.4 = Poor
2.5 - 2.9 = Average
3.0 - 3.4 = Fair
3.5 - 3.9 = Good
4.0 - 4.4 = Great
4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
5.0 = The Best

The controls are smooth and realistic. You will adjust quickly to the control scheme, and will be racing like a pro in no time. The motion controls are pathetic though. They are so poor that you will never choose to use them. Another downside is that there are only two options for controller configurations. The default control mapping will have your right hand asleep before the end of the second race. I wanted to use the right analog stick for acceleration and braking, but alas, it was not to be, and I had to settle for pressing the X button.

There are a ton of unlockable features in this game such as vehicles, paint jobs, and new tracks. The sound effects are great and really help to capture the imagination. The music also adds significantly to the energy of the game with its rocking soundtrack. Unfortunately, there are only a handful of songs. The monotony will have you wishing that you could import your own MP3 tracks to provide a little variety.

There are some other elements within this title that have also missed the mark. As I have already mentioned, there are a very limited number of tracks from which to choose. They get quite repetitive after a bit. Also, there is no split screen multiplayer action, so you will have to tell your friends to stay home and get online, assuming they all can afford a PS3. The realistic controls, graphics, and physics are great for the most part, but only a few of the smaller vehicles give a decent sense of speed. Racing with big rigs is not very fun. Moreover, painfully slow loading times will definitely break up your gaming experience.

All in all, this is an excellent title that will have you on the edge of your seat. MotorStorm is heart racing fun that lives up to its E3 billing. This is a quality title for the PS3, and will be a litmus test for graphic quality in the future. Get down and dirty with MotorStorm on March 6th, 2007.

By Jonathan Marx
CCC Freelance Writer

Features:

January 2007

Not just a stroll in the sand.
by Maria Montoro

Back at E3 2005, we had the chance to see the first images of MotorStorm in action. Now the MotorStorm Festival is just about to start! On February 27th, you'll be able to get your hands on this game, but for now, just read on.

The first thing that came to my mind was "WOW!" This game is a great example of the powerful capabilities that the PS3 has to offer. This frantic off-road racing game couldn't be more realistic, at least visually speaking. The game sports a documentary feel where the broadcaster presents the commencement of the festival while he describes the surroundings and the races that are going to take place. A camera travels through the sky as if it was recording images from a helicopter, giving us stunning aerial views of Monument Valley, and later focusing on the site where the MotorStorm Festival is about to begin. The graphics are so true to reality that, all of a sudden, you won't feel like you're in your living room anymore.

MotorStorm Festival takes place in the desert. The crowds, eager to see the show start, applaud with anticipation and wait for your debut. You will be one of the competitors and it's up to you to find your way to success. You'll earn tickets by achieving points and winning races. Those tickets will open new levels and vehicles. The number of tracks included in each level will increase as you advance through the game. You won't be following a set path. If you check out the map offered at the beginning of each race, you will realize that you can get to the finish line in a few different ways, each of them with their own handicaps and advantages. Just ride freely through the desert and try to earn the first place. However, as the game reads on the map screen, "don't expect it to be a stroll in the sand."

There are different kinds of vehicles you can select, but they're all suitable for this off-road tournament. Choose from motorcycles, ATVs, buggies, rally cars, racing trucks, mud pluggers, or big rigs. In some of the tracks, you will be allowed to pick any one of them. However, the race will become a hodge-podge of vehicles racing towards the finish line, and you'll have to figure out how to come out a winner. Sometimes you will be facing an apparent disadvantage, depending on the vehicle that you choose. If you pick a motorcycle you will be able to maneuver around other vehicles more quickly and efficiently, but put your wheels over a bump and you'll be launched all the way to the galaxy without a second's notice. It's not all about speed. You will also have to use strategy in order to win. In other races, you will be forced to choose a specific kind of vehicle, one more appropriate for the setting of the race. In this case, the vehicle will be the same for everybody. You will have to unlock new models within each category of vehicles for more variety.

The game is fairly easy to control. On the main menu, you can choose between a few different control settings which will make your gameplay easier. You will even have the option to use the motion-sensitive capabilities that the Sixaxis has to offer. Vehicles seem to handle better with standard analog controls, but keep an open mind and accept the challenge, as motion-sensing controls might open a new world of possibilities, even if it takes some time to get used to. You can also view different camera angles to help you within the battle.

The graphics in this game are probably the best part. They're so impressive and accurate that you might end up a little disappointed if you go back to a last generation game. Everything is rendered with meticulous three-dimensional detail and in depth textures. The vehicles move and react to obstacles the same way they would in real life, and beware of crashing because you'll break the car or bike in a thousand pieces! Those pieces are the actual parts that make up the vehicle. The terrain has more than plenty of detail and you will see this without fail throughout the different stages.

However, as good as those graphics are, it seems like something was sacrificed in order to obtain that consistently gorgeous look. I get the impression that the race is not happening at full speed. It probably could have been a faster and more dynamic game, with shorter loading times and an even more frenzied car battle. But hey! You can't ask for everything, I guess, although choosing graphics over gameplay does take away part of the fun the game should be offering.

The soundtrack offers an exciting voice-over presenting the tournament and several rock songs that just fit in nicely with the game. Fast and heavy beats will guide you through the intense and wild races. Some of the songs are a little more hardcore than others, for example Before I Forget by Slipknot and Hot Rocking by Hyper. Breed by Nirvana is also part of the soundtrack and Leave you Far Behind by Elite Force feat. Lunatic Calm is the main tune.

MotorStorm doesn't seem to offer a multiplayer option but it will bring online gameplay, where you will be able to compete against other gamers, probably up to eight. Voice chat will be supported and you will be able to download content like new vehicles and tracks.

The game is in its final stages, but not completed, therefore aspects of it might still be updated. Overall, this appears to be a solid title, created with great dedication. It's been designed to provide you with a fun and realistic gaming experience. Let's hope there will be a balance between the two.

By Maria Montoro
CCC Co-Site Director

May 14, 2005

If you can pardon the pun, Evolution Studios seems to be on the right track with their PS3 debut game, MotorStorm.

Taking the concept of Rainbow Studios MX vs ATV to the next level, Evolution will allow gamers to basically grab a vehicle and haul ass! Choose from dirt bikes, sand rails, rally cars, monster trucks, dirt bikes and whatever else might be lying around and do whatever it takes to get across the finish line...alive. Considering the insane amount of extreme destruction we witnessed in MotorStorm, placing first might not be your ultimate objective; staying alive might be.

With its racing action at an insanely frenzied pace and eye-caressing visuals, we can tell you that MotorStorm is definitely one to keep your eye on over the next few months.

By Vaughn Smith
CCC Former Site Director