The card turns sideways as the group of riders
sits at the start line, engines powering up, the vibration and whine of the
125cc motorcycles creating a tremendous din. The gate drops and the riders fire
out, dirt flying, puffs of smoke, bikes leaning as each vies for position
hitting that first turn.
Ah, indoor supercross racing – the crowd is
loud and enthusiastic, but who has time to look at them? There is too much to
pay attention to on the track, like lining up that turn for maximum acceleration
going into the jump. Which jump had the washboard after it? Where did that rider
that just blew past you come from?
MTX: Mototrax is a release for the
PlayStation 2 from Activision and Left Field Productions. This is a game that is
diverse in gameplay, terrific graphically and a real challenge. The controls are
a little touchy at times, but are mirroring the way the bike handles as it tries
to grab hold of dirt and gravel and turn at impossible angles for the speed it
is carrying.
The game has several playing modes, including
MTX career, exhibition, multiplayer, a custom track editor and a customer rider
editor. You can race in supercross or freestyle races.
In the career mode, you pick a ride, and
compete is a series to earn money for sponsorships and upgrades. The tracks take
place in a variety of locations under a variety of circumstances. The key to the
racing is to pick the right lines and to learn how to handle the jumps and bumps
along the way. You can crash or get off track and resets will cost you time.
The AI of this game is well designed and the
controls are kept simplistic enough to allow even the rawest of newcomers the
opportunity to compete. Where this game departs from other titles is that little
attention is give to spectacular crashes and the emphasis is on racing.
The career mode allows for a nice rider
customization. The game also sports an interface in which you will get e-mail
and offers, and you can check on your racing statistics. The career mode is
clearly intended for the single player, but the game does allow for head-to-head
challenges.
The track customization mode is very easy to
use.
The musical soundtrack for this game is
awesome. Featuring a wide range of rock styles, this game is almost worth just
turning on for the soundtrack. But the real star is the racing. The game is
lushly textured and is responsive to the controls. This is a wonderful racing
title.
The game sports some of the same features as
other titles, such as a timer to show how far or ahead you are, positioning, and
a course layout.
Activision and Left Field can be very proud of
this title. It is right on track and will provide the racing enthusiast a
wonderful ride.
Gameplay: 9
From the moment that gate drops to the leap
through the finish area, this game moves smoothly. The tracks and racing
elements offer a nice range of diverse elements.
Graphics: 9.2
This is an excellent-looking game, loaded with
great track texturing, and solid physics.
Sound: 9.3
Awesome is one word for the musical score
undercutting the interface. The rest of the elements are exactly what one would
expect in a racing title like this.
Difficulty: Medium
You up for a challenge, this is it. The AI
seems to evolve with your skill level. You may cruise to a win in one race, but
the next time out, expect the game to have adjusted to provide more of a
challenge.
Concept: 9
The developers have offered a great options
package and great base package in the career mode. The interface is kept simple
enough for anyone to jump in and go.
Multiplayer: 8.5
This does not have quite the depth of the
single-player career mode, but is still fun nonetheless.
Overall: 9.1
Ready to feel that rush of adrenaline as you
plant a foot to anchor a turn? All set to grab big air and look for a soft
landing spot? MTX Mototrax offers high-flying motorcycle acrobatics and
supercross thrill rides. This is a blast!
