Freestyle Metal X – PS2 – Review

"I wanna rock!"

Well, watch out for the rocks, or you may end up rolling. Freestyle MetalX is
the latest bit of motocross madness by Midway Sports Asylum for the PlayStation2
console system. This game is arcade-scoring, high-flying, revved-up madness in
which you can destroy some venues, run over bystanders to unlock new tricks.

The game has a host of features but does lack some depth of gameplay.
However, what is does present is well rendered and a lot of fun, and should
attract motocross fans, both young and old.

This is extreme stunt action played out against a diverse background.
Essentially players are challenged to perform stunts within a set framework,
usually against time, and can gain power-ups along the way in terms of health,
speed, or point bonuses.

The first thing that immediately stands out is the driving-rock soundtrack.
Classic metal bands such as Motley Crue, Megadeth, Motorhead and Judas Priest
are featured here, and this is an adrenaline, head-banging score.

The game features 16 riders, some of which have to be unlocked as you proceed
through the modes of play. You can also unlock bikes and the game also has a
level editor so you can design your own tracks.

There are eight levels of play, and you can – in career mode – advance your
avatar in popularity and money. The later means better bikes, which translates
into better paydays. The game really does a good job of feeding off itself.

The camera angle is third-person, and provides a great view of the action.
Some of the environments are very interactive. If you use the barnyard – and
what barnyard would not be complete without a burning barn to jump over – you
can trash fences, the porch and run over the people and animals milling about.
Yep, you can chase down and bang that runaway calf. Why? Because you unlock
tricks by hitting them. Tricks equal points and points advance your characters.

The graphical quality of this game is rather good, but at times is
repetitive. If you miss a jump, and send your rider tumbling head-over-heels,
you will see blood splatter, but it is the same animation over and again. The
type of impact seems not to affect the images rendered. However, the body does a
nice rag-doll roll, and it does look rather painful. The game also has some
lighting anomalies. Some objects seem to step outside the general lighting
textures and perspectives. This may be for effect, to highlight a certain
object, but if so, why the arrow over the head of the object.

The control elements are kept simple and players can launch into this game
quickly. Performing stunts is simply done, using the gamepad buttons and the
thumbstick. Each stunt is worth certain points. Some of the events require
players to complete a set of stunts in a certain amount of time in order to
advance.

Freestyle MetalX has attitude, and sports a good blend of motocross action
and arcade scoring. This game, overall, looks and sounds great. This is an
extremely easy game to jump into and play. It is the type of game that players
can play for minutes or hours in head-to-head stunt competition. It will
provide some oohs and ahhs, as well as some laughter. This is an entertaining,
enjoyable game.

Gameplay: 9
The areas are finite and the gameplay is smooth once the event is started. The
action is fast paced and this is a game that can provide either hours of
enjoyment, or you can take a quick freeride around a level.

Graphics: 8.8
The game has a few animation anomalies. Some items seem to not bear the same
lighting patterns as others. For example, if you are trying to chase down and
run over a calf in the barnyard, the calf is quite elusive, but aside from the
arrow over it’s head, this creature seems to be out of synch with the lighting
scheme. Perhaps this is to better track it.

Sound: 9.3
The sound of the cycles and the terrific musical score really do a great job of
driving this game. Some of the smack talked by the riders is borderline, and
less than convincing.

Difficulty: Medium
Getting the tricks, and then executing them can be very hard. The game physics
seem very good.

Concept: 8.5
The options package of gameplay is quite good but doesn’t seem deep enough.

Multiplayer: 8.4
This game allows for up to 9 players to compete on the same machine in Party
mode – a one-trick jump-off competition. You perform the best trick you can for
arcade scoring.

Overall: 8.8
This game plays well, and looks good. The musical score pops and drives this
game very well. The action is well rendered and fast paced. Freestyle MetalX may
come up a little short in the overall options, but this game is a terrific,
high-flying action game with a touch of the arcade thrown in.