MotorStorm Pacific Rift

PS3 review by Nick Akerman, published on Tuesday 18th November 2008

If Sony proved anything with the original MotorStorm, it’s that visceral, break-neck racing shifts units. As a launch title, the game may have been a disappointment for some, as the gargantuan hype inevitably created a suicidal grip, crushing any ravishing praise in an instant. Granted, the first title was a visually impressive ambassador for the infant console, but it had something vital missing. With the release of Pacific Rift, Evolution Studios have a chance to gain that expected, unprecedented acclaim, as they hunt to find the missing ingredient that was noticably absent from their initial attempt in the MotorStorm franchise.

The ultimate off-road racing festival is once again back, but this time with an interesting (and sale-ensuring) twist. Instead of the gritty, dust-filled location of the last game, gamers will now be speeding round something largely more idyllic: a buzzing, vibrant, and totally utopian tropical island. Evolution Studios have not only done away with the blandly nurtured track design of the original, they have opened up a world of exhilarating adventures with a whole new range of spine-tingling courses.

“Underneath the flaming, tumbling, devilish posterior stands a game that is built to test”Pacific Rift tries to improve on the lack of variation seen in it’s predecessor, offering the player a number of zones to get down and dirty with. Whether you decide to tackle the Earth, Air, Fire or Water sections, you’ll be in for a treat. Each zone employs a number of tracks linked to their individual names, meaning you can get ready to speed through a fierce volcano, under a bone-crushing waterfall, and even through the stunningly produced lushness of a jungle. In fact, it’s the latter that highlights the beauty of this sequel, as many tracks come to life as you destroy their untouched glory. Whether you are skimming around a corner, tussling for the lead, or hurtling towards an ominous-looking crash, your jaw will no doubt need replacing as it smashes against the ground once more.

As you can see, MotorStorm doesn’t take itself too seriously. With an accessible control scheme, it won’t be long until you’re gliding through the undergrowth, splattering mud in the eyes of your foes with continual ease. Players will find they can go all out on many parts of each course, as they rarely need to hit the breaks to successfully make it round a corner. In fact, turning is best guided with the nitro-oxide boost, as it allows for a shift in weight without losing any momentum. Actually, the most important physic in the game is the weight of each vehicle, as your style should be adapted accordingly to any of the bikes, ATVs, trucks, cars or buggies. Whether you are landing colossal jumps or navigating through a tight jungle section, you’ll need to have your bearings in the correct place for a rapid getaway. Knowing your route can be the difference between victory and defeat, as the AI controlled opponents aren’t going to let you win without putting up a gutsy fight.

What’s That Coming Over The Hill!?Pacific Rift sees the addition of Monster Trucks to the series, a vehicle that is sure to become a favourite with many players. Pitting decent speed, manoeuvrable weight, and merciless power against the other vehicles provides gamers with some comically terrifying crashes and results.In reality, Evolution Studios have created a title that will challenge many players. Underneath the flaming, tumbling, devilish posterior stands a game that is built to test. With a set of largely anonymous opponents, I can’t help but feel they are missing the point of such frantic racing. This kind of competition would build rivalries and personal battles, something that is largely non-existent in the game. Yes the AI can race aggressively, and do react to each situation, but the developers haven’t created a memorable cast like in the impressive Flatout: Ultimate Carnage. As much as we admire racing against characters named “Willy Pecker,” making the player feel emotions towards each individual would have been a major boost for the career mode.

It’s in the career mode that gamers will spend most of their time. By placing in the top three, you’ll gain a number of points that is added to your overall rank. Obviously, the higher the rank, the more races and vehicles are open to play with. Everything here is standard fare and it does start to suffer around halfway through due to a repeat track system. You’ll be able to race a variation of vehicles through each canvas of destruction, although you’ll only have the choice of a select few as the computer sees fit, meaning you won’t always be able to show your skills on the motorbike you have been gazing at for so long. Most of the time, you’ll have the choice to use the versatile buggy and a selection of either light or extremely heavy vehicles alongside. It’s a decent way of getting players to open up different routes with a selection of motors, but gamers who want to use their personal favourites might be disappointed.

“Everything will synchronise together at a super-fast and unforgiving pace”One thing that has always impressed with this series is how different each race turns out to be. Making choices in an instant is key, as you have to be sure which way you want to go in order to maintain your speed. Many times, if you don’t decide quick enough, you’ll end up crashing straight through the barrier as you miss the turn completely. The game becomes an enthralling spectacle when you have players taking different routes, as you can witness many events happening at once. With bikes leaping over-head followed by juggernauts and ground-shaking lorries, to rally cars being flung over the side of a cliff, everything will synchronise together at a super-fast and unforgiving pace. This may cause frustration for some, as a single mistake can cause you to slip from pole position to an embarrassingly amateur last place, but the entertainment outweighs the ruthless pace most of the time.

I Want Your SoulKeeping in tune with the daredevil lifestyle, Pacific Rift features a well-produced soundtrack, headed by superstar drum ‘n’ bass icons such as Pendulum and Aphex Twin. If “Come To Daddy” by the latter doesn’t get you moving at deathly speeds, then nothing will.As with many racing games, the online mode is where the most fun is held. Pacific Rift isn’t any different, as you’ll be glued to the screen, jostling against human opponents with an undeniable enthusiasm from your first venture into the isolating island adventure. Connecting to a race is seamless and very simple, as you can race up to twenty individually thinking, plotting, and silently planning peers. This enables the premise to step up an entire level, as the difference in strategy can be highly entertaining. Witnessing a real opponent delve into the deep waters after smashing their chassis into unrecognisable pieces is absolutely awesome, as it allows you to feel relieved until it finally happens to yourself. Another improvement over the original title is that four-player split-screen action is now ready and waiting to be obliterated. This mode marks one of the best multiplayer sections seen this year, as Evolution Studios prove that this title is best suited when played alongside friends.

“Aided by some stunning visual and lighting effects, this is a majestic entry into the PS3 exclusive catalogue”Other than that, the usual perks can be found through the game. A number of different vehicle designs, a selection of avatars to unlock and choose from, plus a rank system to create challenging competition in the online arena. Damage now has a greater impact on proceedings as well, as losing a vital part of your vehicle (such as the spoiler), can force you to stutter across the line in an unsavoury position. The game certainly hasn’t set new boundaries in any department, but what is has done is evolve on the formula that hit the number one spot in many of the mediums most consuming countries, meaning this is sure to impress the original followers and far beyond.

Unlike many festivals, MotorStorm Pacific Rift holds entertainment that doesn’t only last for the date on the ticket. With a greater sense of brutality, speed, and gut-wrenching track design, the franchise is really beginning to take off. Aided by some stunning visual and lighting effects, this is a majestic entry into the PS3 exclusive catalogue. Now toting a larger sense of variation and breath-taking scale, Pacific Rift is a truly gorgeous and well-designed mix of fluid racing and pitiless competition that should go a long way into converting those disappointed followers into true racing fanatics.