MotorStorm: Arctic Edge Review for PlayStation 2 (PS2)

System: PS2, PSP	Review Rating Legend
Dev: Virtuos [sic]	1.0 - 1.9 = Avoid	4.0 - 4.4 = Great
Pub: SONY	2.0 - 2.4 = Poor	4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
Release: Oct. 20, 2009	2.5 - 2.9 = Average	5.0 = The Best
Players: 1	3.0 - 3.4 = Fair
ESRB Rating: Teen	3.5 - 3.9 = Good

When this happens, it becomes rather clear why racing in this game feels so much slower than past iterations. All the objects in the game are rendered quite well, but that comes at the price of speed, as the processor is unable to render those graphics very quickly if you're moving too fast. It's a bit of a trade-off, and if nice-looking graphics are more important to you than the speed of play, then you'll have no problems with this. However, many racers will come away wishing that the gameplay had taken precedence over the visuals.

MotorStorm: Arctic Edge screenshot

There is no such trade-off in the audio department, though. Arctic Edge is great across the board featuring foremost an expansive, up-tempo track list full of big name bands like the Queens of the Stone Age and The White Stripes. Ever since Burnout 3 showed the gaming world how effective an up-tempo soundtrack can be, this feature has been a must for any arcade racer worth its salt, and Arctic Edge really delivers the goods here. Sound effects in this game are also particularly well executed. In a lot of ways, the audio has a big responsibility in this game due to the fact it now has to make up for a lot of the shortcomings of the PS2's visuals. Thankfully, Arctic Edge has a very good audio system that adds weight to crashes and really makes you feel like you're pushing the petal to the metal during boosts even though, as was discussed earlier, you're not actually going that fast. Which makes it all the more impressive.

This is a racer for PS2 fans who haven't yet made the jump into the current generation of consoles, not for MotorStorm fans looking for their next fix. The original MotorStorm and the follow-up, Pacific Rift, are both better games than this, and those who are looking to replicate those experiences will come away disappointed. However, this is still a pretty good, late-life PS2 racing game, and if you're looking to squeeze a few extra drops of life out of your PS2, then this is a competent racer for a good price.

By Andrew Groen
CCC Freelance Writer

RATING OUT OF 5

RATING DESCRIPTION

3.3

Graphics
The PS2 is really starting to show its age as the modern consoles leave it further and further behind. However, for a PS2 racer Arctic Edge looks great. Huge mountain vistas are gorgeous and there's minimal graphics pop-in.

3.7

Control
MotorStorm controls like a standard racer, and for the most part they're intuitive and easy to use. The cars control quite well, too. And with the exception of the ATV, every one of them is fun in its own way.

4.3

Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
The soundtrack in Arctic Edge is expansive and upbeat. It's a great addition to this game and helps you get pumped up for the race. Sound effects are magnificent as well, helping the player feel the power of the vehicles.

3.5

Play Value
MotorStorm is somewhat lacking in modes and multiplayer, but the core game here is good. If you like the MotorStorm formula, then you'll find something to like here, just don't expect to be blown away. It's not an especially large gaming experience, but it's also priced at an inexpensive $30, which helps sooth some of those woes.

3.7

Overall Rating - Good
Not an average. See Rating legend above for a final score breakdown.

Game Features:

MotorStorm: Arctic Edge delivers brutal off-road racing in the breathtaking yet lethal and unpredictable setting of Alaska.

MotorStorm has ripped-up the Monument Valley desert, it's obliterated everything that stood in its path on Pacific Rift, and now it's set for a whole new challenge: battling the frozen wasteland of Alaska's Arctic Edge.

Two new vehicles have been introduced to combat the ice, the cold and the snow - the Snowcat and the Snow Machine.