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 MX
vs. ATV Untamed (Playstation 3)
THQ goes off road with their latest
extreme racer, MX vs. ATV Untamed for the PS3. The game allows players to
race a variety of vehicles ranging from mini-cross bikes and ATVs plus
buggies and trucks. The tracks include everything from indoor cross
circuits to massive outdoor waypoint events that offer open-ended racing
courses. Untamed offers a great deal of variety in its races, and players
can compete in a variety of modes including the X-Cross where they compete
in all the game's racing modes. In addition, Untamed delivers some
impressive online modes with some cool mini-games for multiplayer fun. The
controls are fairly decent and show-off Untamed's arcade physics models,
making this an instantly accessible racing title. |
You can't fault MX vs. ATV Untamed for lacking ambition. Instead of
focusing on a narrow swath of vehicles or a specific type of racing, the
game goes all out to include almost every form of off-road racing from MX
bikes to SUV trucks and much more. The game's extensive list of options
includes the ability to race a variety of vehicles on dozens of different
tracks which range from standard indoor courses to open-ended fields where
players can race freestyle and rack up points for performing tricks. A
number of options enable players to pick and choose from a variety of
options including single-player races, multiplayer modes and several
tournament options. You can choose from eight unique race types including
Endurocross, Supercross, Opencross, Outdoor Nationals, Minimoto and
Waypoint. Because each race type has a completely different set of layout
parameters, some emphasize jumping and tricks, while the outdoor areas
offer a mad scramble that makes for some chaotic, though exciting racing
action. To add to the challenge, the different course and race types
present players with a unique type of vehicle to drive. This means you'll
also need to learn the nuances assigned to it, which means that you'll
have to master the intricacies and styles of each to win.
 Each
of the vehicles presents a unique style of handling and control and this
flexibility gives Untamed a bit more depth than is usually expected for a
racing game. You'll have to master the art of power-sliding around some
pretty tight corners and watch out for other obstacles on the track as
well, which makes things a bit trickier than they might first appear. For
example, the faster vehicles such as the dirt-bikes and buggies usually
perform better in the straights but require a great deal of precision
where you have to master your timing around corners. This is important
because the vehicles reset if you go off the course for more than five
seconds, which costs you valuable time. However, the game's arcade physics
means that they don't take damage so you won't have to worry about this
aspect during the race. The other racers' AI is fairly strong and you'll
have to work and not make too many mistakes if you want to stay in the
pack. Fall too far behind and you might as well reset the race. Vehicle
collisions occur frequently if you aren't careful and you'll have to look
out for other obstacles such as rocks and trees that will impede your
progress if you aren't careful. Most of the game's track designs are
fairly straightforward, though the open areas and waypoint races can
become a bit confusing if you don't pay attention. You may need to
practice a few times to get the layout of each track, but the game is
fairly painless for the most part.
Controlling the vehicles is a fairly
simple task that shouldn't tax most players, the intuitive controls allow
you to accelerate and steer using a standard interface. As stated earlier
the size and weight of each vehicle makes a big difference in how they
perform on the field, though most players should be able to get the hang
of things without much effort. In addition to standard driving techniques,
players will also have to master a variety of tricks such as grabs and
holds on bikes which in addition to giving you style, can add to your
point total later on. There's a huge variety of vehicles in the game and a
big part of the challenge and fun comes in trying all of them out in the
various courses. MX vs. ATV includes more than a dozen different types of
vehicles, and players can customize there performance using more than 100
in-game parts and accessories. This allows you to upgrade your vehicles
handling and speed. You can also edit the appearance of your vehicles and
their riders at the options screen. You can choose to participate in a
single race or go all in for one of the tournaments as well, which include
standard structures where you compete in a series of races in the same
class or the more challenging Supercross where you have to compete in all
eight event styles to become the ultimate champion. These modes offer
plenty of solid racing, but the game's extensive online modes deliver an
even deeper and more satisfying experience. Untamed's single-player modes
are quite enjoyable in their own right, but the game also includes an
impressive array of online modes that can support up to 12 players
simultaneously. There are the usual race modes and some extra mini-games
such as snake where you have to trap your opponents. The game performs
well online with little in the way of lag or matching problems. There's
also a two-player split-screen mode where you can battle a friend
head-to-head which also includes an exclusive Hockey game mode. Overall,
these modes add to the game's longevity which makes the gameplay deeper
title than you'd expect.
 However,
this is still an arcade-style racer at heart and while the game does a
decent job in creating the feel of off-road racing, it lacks in several
key areas. While it's not fair to expect every game to equal the visual
flourish of Motorstorm, the comparisons are inevitable. Untamed's visuals
are decent and the game moves at a smooth frame rate but, its vehicles
lack the detail and polish seen in other PS3 games. The environments are
likewise flat in comparison and the physical effects of the game, such as
the muddy splashed exteriors of vehicles and the destructible, changing
terrain aren't included here. While there's more varied settings and more
vehicle types in Untamed than Motorstorm, the overall effect isn't nearly
as impressive. You can see the different when you compare both games'
desert settings, where Untamed's environments feel flat and empty and
generally lack the detail that Motorstorm achieved so effortlessly. The
controls, while decent don't really offer as much nuance or
sophistication, either, which makes the gameplay feel superficial overall.
These lacking elements make the experience feel a bit flat overall, which
is somewhat disappointing from an aesthetic standpoint. Despite its decent
selection of vehicle types and some challenging courses, MX vs. ATV
Untamed's overall experience feels like less than the sum of its parts.
While there are some impressive elements, our final verdict is that it
doesn't deliver on the true promise of the HD generation, and instead
feels like an upscaled last-generation title.
- Michael Palisano
Grade:
C+
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