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"Motorstorm Arctic Edge Review"

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This thread has been linked to the game 'Motorstorm: Arctic Edge'.
Tue 01/12/09 at 21:22
Regular
"And in last place.."
Posts: 2,054
After the blazing heat of the Pacific Rift sunny climate and molten lava, Motorstorm invites players to dig out the thermals and head north to the arctic but will it leave you feeling cold?

There's Snow Place Like Home

Arctic Edge is the 3rd game in the Motorstorm family and the first time it has left the PS3. Arctic Edge is a whole new Motorstorm game developed by BigBig Studios for the PSP and the PS2.
Those familiar with Motorstorm are going to feel right at home with this new version:

Festival for single player: check
Wreckreation for multiplayer and time trials: check
Garage to view and customise vehicles: check
Tracks with multiple routes and many obstacles: check
8 vehicle classes: check
Chaotic offline and online racing: check

Everything a Motorstormer would expect is in this version. And more.

Left Out in The Cold

The PS3 is a mighty machine and both Motorstorm games have shown off the consoles abilities very well. The PSP obviosuly isn't a powerful so common sense states that something has to give, compromises have to be made for the lesser machine.

All credit to BigBig Studios, if compromises have been made then they have swept them under the carpet (or under the snow in this case), this is a complete Motorstorm experience in single player and multiplayer modes. It is a minor miracle that it has all survived in tact.

Baby It's Cold Outside

The arctic setting isn't as pleasing on the eye as Pacific Rift is, the barren landscape is not as bright and colourful. Some of the rock surfaces can make obstacles harder to spot but familiarity with the courses removes this.

With this being a PSP game, naturally the graphics are not as detailed as the PS3 and the lack of colour in the courses can take away from what is a visually impressive game on the PSP.

All of the courses are classic Motorstorm, they are of a high standard and there isn't a weak one to be found. Multiple routes, cliff faces, ramps, bridges, various obstacles are all present and correct only this time you can use the arctic setting to your advantage. In certain locations, a blast of the horn will cause an avalanche or break an ice bridge, time this just right and you've effectively got a Burnout style takedown. It is a nice addition and an example of a developer who wants to do a little more than just replicate a PS3 experience on Sony's handheld.

Changeable Weather effects have been added to this version of Motorstorm but no prizes for guessing that if it is not a dry day then it is snowing. It doesn't change the game in anyway other than making it harder to see but it is a welcome touch and fitting with the setting.

The game moves along at a fast pace just like its big brothers and you can find yourself off the side of a cliff edge in the blink of an eye, this game will punish you if you are not paying attention.

The Vehicles

There are 8 vehicle classes, some familiar and some new. We say goodbye to some familair faces and welcome some new.
Joining the motorbikes, rally cars and big rigs are the ATV, snow mobile, snow plugger and the snow cat.

Each vehicle is measured against speed, acceleration, toughness and handling. The lighter vehicles are nippy but not as tough and the heavier are slower to accelerate but will make short work of any vehicle in their way.

Motorstorm is a game about finding a balance, not all vehicles are suited to all parts of the course, for instance the motorbikes will slow down in deeper water and snow. Each vehicle has it's strengths and weaknesses and you may find your vehicle of preference depends on the course.

The toughness is a consideration, whilst the bikes are nippy you can find yourself sandwiched between 2 bigger vehicles and that is a fight the bikes will never win.

It is noticeable that the snow doesn't seem to have any impact on handling for the tyre based vehicles and the snow based vehicles will work just as well off the snow. This is a minor issue and I think it would take away rather from what can be a fast and frantic race if vehicles were spinning out of control on the snow.

The vehicles can be customised to suit your own tastes. The sponsor badges, tyres, paint work, lights etc can all be changed.
Customisable components are added with progress through the game. Customising doesn't alter the performance but does offer you the opportunity to create your own distinct look.

Single Player

The Festival is the single player portion. This is like a career progression, you earn points through finishing 1st, 2nd or 3rd which in turn lead to a ranking increase and the unlocking of new races. There are 8 ranks to obtain and a lot of races to win, this is going to last you some time.

The number of racers is reduced from the PS3 but 10 racers in one race is still a very good turnout and much more than Gran Turismo offers.

In Motorstorm there are no penalites for gentlemenly driving so the races can be quite chaotic and the AI won't think twice about removing you from its path. If you want to survive you will have to be quick or ruthless.

There are 3 types of race you will participate in, standard first past the post wins, speed events where you have drive between all the posts within the time limit and the new comer, Time Ticker, which constantly awards points based on your position, less points are awarded the lower your position is. The winner is the first to get to 999 points. The Time Ticker replaces the Eliminator but is a worthy replacement and plays quite similarly as the only way to gurantee winning is to keep a hold of that first place as long as possible.

The speed events and time ticker events are unlocked by completing a time challenge in some of the race events. Some
races have this double challenge where not only do you want to win the race but you also want to complete the event in a certain time. The time limit portion of these races is not interested in your placing, only your time. This adds an extra challenge to the races as these times are not always generous.

As with previous Motorstorm games, it starts off easy but don't get too settled, the challenge increases as your ranking progresses and this is not a game which will challenge you but nevr will you feel that it is unfair.

In terms of playability, this is classic Motorstorm and every bit as enjoyable and addictive as the PS3 games. If you didn't like
Motorstorm before then this game will not convert you but those that did like Motorstorm are in for an absolute treat.

Multiplayer Mode

Single player mode is always the main portion of PSP games, the miltiplayer is usually just a little extra but Arctic Edge changes that.

The multiplayer mode is again, just like the PS3 versions. You have the options of playing adhoc with friends providing they also have a copy of the game as well as the option of playing online.

The online portion is a real surprise and works every bit as well as the PS3 versions. There is a maximum of 6 players is any race which is less than the PS3 but still more than Gran Turismo has in single player. Ranking points are earned by your final position but thankfully this time you are not punished by poor finishes. One grip I have with Pacific Rift has is that is is easier to lose your rank than it is to increase it but in Arctic Edge your ranking points stay the same on a poor finishing position.

Developer times are there to be beaten in time trial modes and there are also player time trial leaderboards although these have been spoiled slightly by people posting impossible times obtained via glitches.

The online aspect is every bit as good as the single player and whilst not as busy as the PS3 versions, there are still plenty of people to play online.

Final Summary
I cannot recommend Arctic Edge enough, it is an excellent racer with high quality tracks and great offline and online modes. In noway does this game feel compromised having been shrunk down to fit the PSP

9/10
Wed 02/12/09 at 09:34
Regular
"And in last place.."
Posts: 2,054
To be honest PB, I've been pretty much blown away by how close the PSP Motorstorm experience is to the PS3 experience and in particular, how well the online works.

Since I got this game, GTA Chinatown Wars has been left gathering dust. If you like a bit of Motorstorm then this is a very much worthwhile purchase. I play this at my lunchbreak every day at the moment, I'm going ot have withdrawal symptoms at my work christmas lunch!
Tue 01/12/09 at 21:42
Moderator
"possibly impossible"
Posts: 24,985
Nice review, lots of detail.

I've been hovering over the Buy button on this game ever since it's been out on PSN. I've just got another £20 voucher back after buying LBP and I have enough credit, so I may well get it this week.
Tue 01/12/09 at 21:22
Regular
"And in last place.."
Posts: 2,054
After the blazing heat of the Pacific Rift sunny climate and molten lava, Motorstorm invites players to dig out the thermals and head north to the arctic but will it leave you feeling cold?

There's Snow Place Like Home

Arctic Edge is the 3rd game in the Motorstorm family and the first time it has left the PS3. Arctic Edge is a whole new Motorstorm game developed by BigBig Studios for the PSP and the PS2.
Those familiar with Motorstorm are going to feel right at home with this new version:

Festival for single player: check
Wreckreation for multiplayer and time trials: check
Garage to view and customise vehicles: check
Tracks with multiple routes and many obstacles: check
8 vehicle classes: check
Chaotic offline and online racing: check

Everything a Motorstormer would expect is in this version. And more.

Left Out in The Cold

The PS3 is a mighty machine and both Motorstorm games have shown off the consoles abilities very well. The PSP obviosuly isn't a powerful so common sense states that something has to give, compromises have to be made for the lesser machine.

All credit to BigBig Studios, if compromises have been made then they have swept them under the carpet (or under the snow in this case), this is a complete Motorstorm experience in single player and multiplayer modes. It is a minor miracle that it has all survived in tact.

Baby It's Cold Outside

The arctic setting isn't as pleasing on the eye as Pacific Rift is, the barren landscape is not as bright and colourful. Some of the rock surfaces can make obstacles harder to spot but familiarity with the courses removes this.

With this being a PSP game, naturally the graphics are not as detailed as the PS3 and the lack of colour in the courses can take away from what is a visually impressive game on the PSP.

All of the courses are classic Motorstorm, they are of a high standard and there isn't a weak one to be found. Multiple routes, cliff faces, ramps, bridges, various obstacles are all present and correct only this time you can use the arctic setting to your advantage. In certain locations, a blast of the horn will cause an avalanche or break an ice bridge, time this just right and you've effectively got a Burnout style takedown. It is a nice addition and an example of a developer who wants to do a little more than just replicate a PS3 experience on Sony's handheld.

Changeable Weather effects have been added to this version of Motorstorm but no prizes for guessing that if it is not a dry day then it is snowing. It doesn't change the game in anyway other than making it harder to see but it is a welcome touch and fitting with the setting.

The game moves along at a fast pace just like its big brothers and you can find yourself off the side of a cliff edge in the blink of an eye, this game will punish you if you are not paying attention.

The Vehicles

There are 8 vehicle classes, some familiar and some new. We say goodbye to some familair faces and welcome some new.
Joining the motorbikes, rally cars and big rigs are the ATV, snow mobile, snow plugger and the snow cat.

Each vehicle is measured against speed, acceleration, toughness and handling. The lighter vehicles are nippy but not as tough and the heavier are slower to accelerate but will make short work of any vehicle in their way.

Motorstorm is a game about finding a balance, not all vehicles are suited to all parts of the course, for instance the motorbikes will slow down in deeper water and snow. Each vehicle has it's strengths and weaknesses and you may find your vehicle of preference depends on the course.

The toughness is a consideration, whilst the bikes are nippy you can find yourself sandwiched between 2 bigger vehicles and that is a fight the bikes will never win.

It is noticeable that the snow doesn't seem to have any impact on handling for the tyre based vehicles and the snow based vehicles will work just as well off the snow. This is a minor issue and I think it would take away rather from what can be a fast and frantic race if vehicles were spinning out of control on the snow.

The vehicles can be customised to suit your own tastes. The sponsor badges, tyres, paint work, lights etc can all be changed.
Customisable components are added with progress through the game. Customising doesn't alter the performance but does offer you the opportunity to create your own distinct look.

Single Player

The Festival is the single player portion. This is like a career progression, you earn points through finishing 1st, 2nd or 3rd which in turn lead to a ranking increase and the unlocking of new races. There are 8 ranks to obtain and a lot of races to win, this is going to last you some time.

The number of racers is reduced from the PS3 but 10 racers in one race is still a very good turnout and much more than Gran Turismo offers.

In Motorstorm there are no penalites for gentlemenly driving so the races can be quite chaotic and the AI won't think twice about removing you from its path. If you want to survive you will have to be quick or ruthless.

There are 3 types of race you will participate in, standard first past the post wins, speed events where you have drive between all the posts within the time limit and the new comer, Time Ticker, which constantly awards points based on your position, less points are awarded the lower your position is. The winner is the first to get to 999 points. The Time Ticker replaces the Eliminator but is a worthy replacement and plays quite similarly as the only way to gurantee winning is to keep a hold of that first place as long as possible.

The speed events and time ticker events are unlocked by completing a time challenge in some of the race events. Some
races have this double challenge where not only do you want to win the race but you also want to complete the event in a certain time. The time limit portion of these races is not interested in your placing, only your time. This adds an extra challenge to the races as these times are not always generous.

As with previous Motorstorm games, it starts off easy but don't get too settled, the challenge increases as your ranking progresses and this is not a game which will challenge you but nevr will you feel that it is unfair.

In terms of playability, this is classic Motorstorm and every bit as enjoyable and addictive as the PS3 games. If you didn't like
Motorstorm before then this game will not convert you but those that did like Motorstorm are in for an absolute treat.

Multiplayer Mode

Single player mode is always the main portion of PSP games, the miltiplayer is usually just a little extra but Arctic Edge changes that.

The multiplayer mode is again, just like the PS3 versions. You have the options of playing adhoc with friends providing they also have a copy of the game as well as the option of playing online.

The online portion is a real surprise and works every bit as well as the PS3 versions. There is a maximum of 6 players is any race which is less than the PS3 but still more than Gran Turismo has in single player. Ranking points are earned by your final position but thankfully this time you are not punished by poor finishes. One grip I have with Pacific Rift has is that is is easier to lose your rank than it is to increase it but in Arctic Edge your ranking points stay the same on a poor finishing position.

Developer times are there to be beaten in time trial modes and there are also player time trial leaderboards although these have been spoiled slightly by people posting impossible times obtained via glitches.

The online aspect is every bit as good as the single player and whilst not as busy as the PS3 versions, there are still plenty of people to play online.

Final Summary
I cannot recommend Arctic Edge enough, it is an excellent racer with high quality tracks and great offline and online modes. In noway does this game feel compromised having been shrunk down to fit the PSP

9/10

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