Looking for some thrilling dirt-track action? MX vs. ATV Reflex is the latest and greatest. In an attempt to combine elements from both arcade racing and the more realistic racing sims the developers have met with mixed success in a game that can sometimes be both frustrating and fantastic.

First, the good: This game has a ton of content. The title is misleading because you’re not limited to motorcross bikes and all terrain vehicles. There are also buggies, UTV’s and even offroading trucks to try your hand racing with. Each type of vehicle drives very differently, as you might expect, making each track feel different even if you’ve raced it many times in other vehicles. That’s not to say you have to replay the same tracks over and over, MX vs. ATV Reflex has a ton of courses and most of them hit all the marks when it comes to both visuals and how the tracks handle.

 

You’ll also notice new environmental challenges. Vehicles now leave ruts in the mud and while these aren’t too worrisome while driving a truck, smaller vehicles and especially motorcross bikes can get jarred around by them and occasionally lose control. Speaking of control, there is now a dual-stick control scheme that ties your left control stick to the vehicle and your right control stick to the driver. The purpose of controlling the driver is primarily for balance. You can lean into turns, lean forward to keep balance while climbing a hill, lean back just before a jump, etc. You can even lean in mid-air to adjust your vehicle’s orientation, and on landing to prevent wiping out.

It’s not all mud and rainbows though. The controls can sometimes be finicky and the physics of the game can occasionally just seem to go haywire. These things happen more often than they probably should and can cause some real frustration. Also, some of the tracks can be overly challenging in and of themselves. More experienced players will no doubt be used to racing a track multiple times trying for a perfect run but there are no real options to make things easier for less hardcore players who just want to finish one race and advance to the next level.

The single player career mode is excellent. Not only is there variety in tracks and locations but also different types of events to compete in. One of the more interesting, although occasionally frustrating, are the freestyle events. In these events you are judged basically for doing jumps and tricks, but it’s not clear exactly what the judges want to see and therefore difficult to plan a run you know will score big if done flawlessly. Overall though, the single player game will keep you occupied for a while and is a boatload of fun.

Multiplayer was not forgotten either, and the game allows online play for up to 12 players, or a 4 player split-screen mode. There are also a couple of game modes which are only available in the multiplayer game. MX vs. ATV Reflex is a good looking game, but lacks the high-end graphics and sound some other recent titles sport. Don’t let that stop you from checking it out though. This title may appeal to hardcore racers more than casual gamers but it’s really a game anyone can enjoy playing.

On the surface this racer might not seem like much, but play it for a while and you’ll find it has some strong appeal. Many games these days focus on the immersion experience through technology: hyper-realistic graphics and sound effects, primarily. Some games do this to the exclusion of other, more important gameplay elements and though their outer shell might impress and delight, players eventually discover the interior of such games ring hollow. World of Outlaws: Spring Cars is basically the polar opposite of that.

First impressions will leave you thinking this game must have been released for the original Xbox and can’t possibly be any newer than five-years-old. Oddly enough, no. This game is new for 2010 on the Xbox 360. Or is it?  In actuality, similar games were released for the Playstation 2 in 2002 and for PC gamers in 2003.  While this isn’t a direct port, I am highly suspicious the history of the title goes a long way towards explaining the aliased sprint car models and lackluster audio. Still, it doesn’t look or sound terrible — it’s just not up the impressive standards other racers have led us to expect. There is far more to a game than the graphics and sound though, and that’s where World of Outlaws begins to shine.

The available tracks are definitely a spot where the game is deceivingly diverse. There are only twelve tracks, all oval race courses and all in the United States, but although that sounds incredibly boring I assure you it is not. The courses have enormous variety, in the pitch of the track on turns, how many lanes of cars can fit abreast, as well as varied external elements specific to the locale. The single player career mode is extremely deep and rewarding, with challenging-yet-fun gameplay that will outlast the career modes of many more popular racing titles. There are achievements too, although you might want to turn notifications off because unlocking one can cause the game to freeze up for a few seconds.

Even some long-time racing gamers might find themselves on unfamiliar ground with some of Sprint Car racing’s specific quirks. Each race begins, not with all the drivers holding their breaths waiting to slam their foot down on the accelerator but with rolling starts that have you and the other drivers moving around the track prior to (and waiting for) the green light that announces the official beginning of the race. Controls might be a little unfamiliar-feeling as well, as is the view of your car because Sprint Cars are specifically designed for just this single purpose: going left around an oval track. They have larger wheels on the right side for this reason (to maintain both speed and control during left turns) and the look and feel can take a bit of getting used to. That’s not a bad thing though, it’s just a new experience.

The AI drivers you’ll face in career mode are one of the things that really puts this game in play and makes it worth checking out. Some games have AI drivers that are simply terrible to the point where you’re consciously aware the computer is piloting them (and that the computer is dumb). Other racing games constantly remind you their drivers are computer-controlled because they never make any mistakes and are almost unfairly difficult to beat. World of Outlaws: Sprint Cars hits the Goldilocks zone with drivers that aren’t too great, aren’t too bad, and always just seem like… well, other drivers. Because of this, the in-game immersion benefits enormously because you can believe there is a person behind the wheel of those other cars, and that makes you feel like you’re really behind the wheel too.

Multiplayer is not fantastic, but you can race online with up to 8 players. Games can suffer from lag occasionally but are mostly all-right. This title’s strong point is definitely its single-player career mode though, especially as you cannot fill out any empty slots with AI drivers in multiplayer mode. The career mode is really strong though and the Sprint Car aspect to the game brings something new to the table for the genre. World of Outlaws: Sprint Cars is definitely worth checking out for hardcore racing gamers.

Review Based On PS3 Version – Also available on the Xbox360

The Midnight Club racing game franchise’s entry into the PS3 market is visually stunning and difficult to master. Clearly the developers were keen to take advantage of the Playstation 3′s graphical capabilities and they did so very well. The cars look fantastic, the backdrops are jaw-dropping, and the sometimes grimy-looking streets make you really feel like you are speeding through the city of angels.

With a few cut-scenes and some brief back-story, the game manages to ease you into the game world quickly and doesn’t waste too much time before you find yourself behind the wheel. Not long after that you’ll begin to notice the dynamic environment: Time marches on and day turns into night, which eventually becomes day again. Sun is blocked out by clouds, which occasionally turn dark and pour sheets of glistening rain down onto the pavement, only to clear up a bit later and let the sun shine through again. It’s street racing gone-virtual-reality and it is one of the most immersive experiences ever offered for racing game fans. You’ll even see familiar brands like Pizza Hut and Holiday Inn while driving around the city.

 

Immersion can sometimes conflict with the ultimate purpose of a game though, and to some extent that happens with the map system in Midnight Club: Los Angeles. You have a minimap on your screen while racing but you can also zoom out seamlessly to an overhead view like a blimp camera or satellite photo of the area. It’s a gorgeous system but it completely lacks one thing: route information. You can set waypoints, but there is no easy way to keep track of which streets you need to take in order to get to each waypoint. It’s like having a fantastic GPS mounted to your dashboard that does everything except give you directions. This can mean making wrong turns during a race, and that wouldn’t be so bad except for the fact that the drivers you are up against (the AI ones at least) don’t make those mistakes.

Drive around for a bit and it won’t be long before you run into other drivers who are spoiling for a race. Flash your lights and pull up to the starting line to get going, earn respect and cold hard cash for doing well. There are several racing modes to keep things interesting and earning respect unlocks new vehicles and customization options. Unfortunately, while cash doesn’t often become a problem in this game you may find gaining enough respect to unlock your next intended purchase can sometimes be a frustrating endeavor.

This is in part due to the fact that Midnight Club: Los Angeles has some of the most flawless AI drivers you’ve ever been up against. The programmers did a great job teaching their computer drivers how to maneuver each hairpin turn but seemingly forgot to teach the computer to drop the ball every once in a while so you have a fighting chance. Ultimately this means a single error can cost you any given race. Although races are rated for difficulty, those ratings seem to be based on the course and not the AI drivers — so a course that’s easier for you is also easier for your competitor, making it not-easier-at-all to win.

Multiplayer is where this game really shines, primarily because you’re not racing against the computer anymore. There are several racing modes and the game supports up to 16 players at once, either on the internet or by system link. Midnight Club: Los Angeles is a very good game overall, but the one major flaw (flawless AI drivers) ends up making the single-player game less fun than it could have been. Still, you’ll have a blast and if you’re the type of racer who loves a challenge then this might become your new favorite game.

Project Gotham Racing 4 (X360) – PGR4

Racing game fans expect a lot out of Project Gotham Racing 4. It’s predecessor was one of the first, and still is one of the best racers available for the Xbox 360. That means Microsoft has a lot to live up to with this latest release, and they manage nicely. All the familiar elements Project Gotham Racing 3 fans will expect are still there, but the latest iteration features improved vehicle models and scenery, weather effects that look great and affect vehicle handling, motorcycles to buy and race, and a greatly improved single player experience with the new career mode.

In Project Gotham Racing 4′s single player game you will find all the types of racing events players have seen in previous versions, but wrapped into a package that takes you on a journey to become the #1 ranked racer in the world. On the way you will earn kudos, purchase new vehicles, and customize existing ones. Customization options are limited but you can choose from a number different paint jobs to personalize your ride.

PGR fans won’t be let down by the tracks either. The series’ signature tracks are back, as well as some new ones. Every one of them offers a fantastic variety in both the layout of the course and the environmental graphics that really make you feel you’re driving through the locale each track is based on. This is a core strength of the series and this latest release in particular, the courses always keep things interesting from a driving perspective and the environments are so well done you feel like you’re really there.

The new weather effects look great. From the snow-turned-slush on the road to the water beading up on your windshield, you’ll like what you see but visuals are just the half of it. Vehicles in PGR4 handle different in bad weather and you’ll need to adjust your driving accordingly, or find yourself hydroplaning into a concrete barrier. There are a number of different camera angles you can race with as well, so if you prefer to drop your overhead view for a more realistic seat behind the wheel you can enjoy the added distraction of windshield wipers. I say that without mirth because if ever there was a racing game that made you want to just sit behind the wheel and take in the scenery on a relaxing drive, this is it.

Motorcycles are less impressive in this game. They have most standard characteristics you might expect: better acceleration, lower top speed, more maneuverable, but what they are not is tricky to handle. It almost seems as if the developers designed the bikes perfectly and then someone came along and said, “No, this is too hard. Make it easier,” and they went ahead and made that change without reducing any of the benefits you get from choosing a bike over a car. Ultimately this means you’re almost always better off choosing a bike.

Online play is as good or better than it was in PGR3. There are single or team races, and five different modes of competition. You’ll be hooked long before you finish the single-player career mode but the multiplayer game will ensure Project Gotham Racing 4 never gets old.

The latest entry in the Forza Motorsport series from Turn 10 Studios is about as close to a masterpiece as any racing car sim has come in years. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a novice racer, this game has everything you want. Cars can be painted and even tuned, but only if you feel like it. If you’re the sort who would rather just get in and drive, you can do that too.

A number of driving assists are available to help keep newcomers steady on the road, and seasoned veterans can turn them off for greater control and challenge. And more money. There is also a rewind feature that purists will likely loathe, but if you don’t use it your times will post higher on the leaderboard than drivers who do. Incidentally, the leaderboard also clearly shows what assists each driver had turned on when they posted their time, so players don’t have to be super-skilled to really enjoy this game, but those who are reap a number of rewards.

As you might expect, starting off in career mode you’re stuck with mostly cars straight off the lot at your local dealership but as you win races and championships your bankroll will grow and you’ll be able to pick up sick new rides. Available events are largely dependent on what cars you have, so if you when you get hold of an Enzo Ferrari you (usually) won’t be able to drive it against cars that it severely outperforms but new races will become available, with better rewards.

There is a strong multiplayer mode, but the AI is largely brilliant and doesn’t ever exhibit the poor sportsmanship that can occasionally ruin the online gameplay experience. The computer driven vehicles can sometimes do silly things but most of the time you will find them challenging opponents who drive smart and even capitalize on the mistakes of other drivers (or you).

The Auction House is still a part of the game, and in what is likely going to be hailed as one of the biggest improvement on the multiplayer experience you can now create and sell vinyl designs, tuning setups and paint jobs independent of cars. Many hardcore players are going to be earning a lot of credits doing this, and less hardcore players will have access to an enormous variety of player-made customization as long as they have credits to spare.

For budding designers, the design tool has not changed much from Forza 2 but one notable improvement is you are no longer required to create your designs ON a car. Forza 3 lets you lay your designs out BEFORE applying them to a vehicle, which eliminates at least one eye-rolling frustration for veteran players. The design process is still difficult and somewhat limited, but while some players will huff that there’s still no option to import image files they created on their computer, others will enjoy the challenge knowing that everyone is on equal footing.

Multiplayer is often where games suffer most technically, stressing the graphics capability of the system and slowing framerates but Forza 3 showed no glitches or hangups at all. Pre-race load times can be a bit slow from time to time but that’s about the worst of it. On every single level, whether you are a huge fan of video racing games or barely play any games at all, this game will appeal to you and I highly recommend trying it out.