To pull off that NAC NAC back flip, you have to have a bit of the daredevil
in you, as well as great timing. To misjudge the air, and distance to the ground
will mean a splatter of blood and some serious road rash – or barnyard rash, as
the case may be.
The game in Freestyle MetalX, an Xbox release from Midway Sports Asylum that
combines arcade scoring with revved-up motorcycle mania, all render to the
driving back beat of classic metal rock. This game is not for the timid, or
those who lack the compunction to mow down a bystander or two to unlock new
tricks. When you are running against time, leave your conscience at the starting
line. This is every man or woman for him or herself.
Game features include 16 playable avatars, including top pros like Clifford
"The Flyin’ Hawaiian Adoptonte, Ronnie Faisst, "Mad" Mike Jones, Jeff Tilton,
Nate "Destroyer" Adams, Doug Parsons, Jeremy "Twitch" Stenberg, Trevor Vines and
Kris Rourke. There are also some rookie riders, some of which seem to have been
inhaling too many bike fumes and lack common sense, but will get you started on
the path to fame, fortune and better machines.
Some other assets include a level editor in which players can design their
own course with obstacles and jumps. Play options include quick play, career
mode and party mode. The latter will allow up to nine players, using the same
controller, to compete in a jump-off, seeing who can score the most points with
the best tricks.
The game itself features several levels, from a barn-yard to indoor
ramp-fests. Each area can be unlocked and linked together for seamless action
from one venue to the next. As you advance in career mode, you can also unlock
events, such as bus jumping and the tunnel of fire.
While this all sounds fun and exciting, the game does seem to lack a rich
diversity of gameplay. Though there are several levels, essentially what you do
is the same thing, over and over. There are power-ups and you can always
challenge to top your previous high score. Is this a bad thing? No. But at its
core, this game asks players to perform stunts within a set framework, usually
against time, and gain power-ups along the way in terms of health, speed, or
point bonuses.
One of the truly great elements of this game is the hard-driving rock
soundtrack. Classic metal bands such as Motley Crue, Megadeth, Motorhead and
Judas Priest are featured here, and the Xbox’s sound capabilities really shine
in this regard.
The camera angle is third-person, and some of the environments are
interactive. The barnyard allows players to 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 some of the effects
are quite repetitive. If you miss a jump, and send your rider tumbling
head-over-heels (which is a great rag-doll effect, by the way), you will see
blood splatter. Regardless of the height of the fall, or the severity of the
impact, the end results are basically the same. The game also has some lighting
anomalies. Some objects seem to step outside the general lighting perspectives
and seem rather oddly light.
The game’s control elements are simple and players should have no trouble
winding up that machine and testing their meddle against the jumps and tricks
offered. Performing stunts is easy; you use the hot buttons and the thumbpad to
initiate and land the trick. Landing the stunts without becoming a skid mark is
the key.
Do you want attitude? Do you want adrenaline-pumping rock ‘n roll? Do you
want non-stop, high-flying, motorcycle madness? Well, Freestyle MetalX delivers
all of that. This is a game that is fun, looks very good, sounds great and plays
well.
The game version received, while a full review copy, did not have a rating at
the time of the review.
Gameplay: 9
The arenas are finite in size but the gameplay is smooth and seamless. The only
time this game slows down is when you miss a landing and have to recompose
yourself before continuing. The transition from one venue to the next is also
seamless and well done.
Graphics: 8.8
There seem to be a has a few lighting miscues, but the Xbox version is crisp and
clean. The game’s arcade-style power-ups are not placed so as to detract, and
are easily spotted. The rag-doll effect on a missed landing, and the general
physics of the game seem to be very well done
Sound: 9.3
The soundtrack of this game, in a word, rocks! There are classic tunes and
blood-pounding beats that provide a great backdrop for the winding scream of the
motorcycle engines. Some of the vocal characterizations are a little tame by
comparison.
Difficulty: Medium
Hitting the ramps, triggering the tricks are easy. Landing the tricks, and
learning how to initiate certain tricks is the challenge
Concept: 8.4
The options package of gameplay is quite good. It is probably just the
perception that there could have been more hear. Almost as though being thirsty
and drinking half a glass of water. You are left wondering with the other half
is. This game offers a lot, but it feels like there should be more.
Multiplayer: 8.4
Head-to-head competition is fun, and limited.
Overall: 8.6
You want a superb soundtrack – you got it. You want a good-looking,
stunt-driving, high-flying motocross outing – you got that too. Freestyle MetalX
is not about to set the world on fire, or set the bar to an unbelievable height
for the genre, but what it is going to do is give gamers a fast-paced,
arcade-style experience that is great fun to look at and play.
