Since the PS3’s launch last month, Sony’s
upcoming off-road racer has been one of the most anticipated titles for the
system as well as one of the most downloaded demos on the PlayStation Network.
The game was on track for a December release, but has now been pushed back to
2007. While delays can often spell bad things for a game, after spending some
time with it at a Sony press event recently, I can safely say that this won’t be
the case. Considering how solid the game was in preview form, not a whole lot
can go wrong at this point, meaning that MotorStorm will be a title you’ll most
likely want to check out next year.
MotorStorm is an all-out comprehensive off-road
racing game, meaning that you’ll have control over several different types of
vehicles, from buggies to dirt bikes and trucks. Each vehicle type handles
differently, and the vehicle specific gameplay determines the routes you take on
the tracks, as each one has certain shortcuts that you can take.
One other thing to notice in MotorStorm is that
your opponents are outright jerks. They’ll knock you clean off of your bike
(should you be riding one) and shoot you the bird for your troubles. The game’s
AI is extremely competitive and will run you off the road, bump into you, and
otherwise take you down any chance they get. Not only that, but the AI is very
player-centric, meaning that you’ll never be that far behind (or ahead, for that
matter) of the rest of the pack.
Graphically, MotorStorm looks fantastic and works
as a pretty good showcase of the PS3’s visual muscle. The vehicle models are
sharply detailed and the environments look great, complete with destructible
elements like signs and debris along the tracks that will move realistically
thanks to an impressive physics engine under the hood. The game also makes good
use of visual effects, like advanced lighting and sun glare as well as motion
blur to really give you a sense of speed as you scream down the course.
While we’ll have to wait a bit longer than
expected for MotorStorm, it stands to deliver once we do see it, offering a fun
off-road racing experience as well as eight-player online multiplayer. Look for
it to hit early next year.
