We’ve been here before, of course, Evolution’s take on a world crumbling apart under smoking rubber the PS3’s next big thing. But as this latest addition to the MotorStorm series gears up for its March release date, it’s at a dark, US-themed presentation – nearly a year after we got our first look at the game – that we get hands-on with the very latest build. And how things have changed.
It’s during a spritely, smiling presentation from director Matt Southern (who we’ve spoken to before) that the scene is re-set, his knowing charm a key factor in holding a hungry audience’s attention. The other hook, of course, is the demonstration of new courses and new vehicles, the superbike being the star of the show as it deftly leaps across the rooftops of a crumbling, decimated west coast America.
The presentation dances quickly over new tweaks to the game: new features such as custom liveries, an updated perks system that’ll see players boosting their stats, and air cooling – release the accelerator as you soar over jumps to cool your engine (the wind is this year’s water, didn’t you know?). It’s all very exciting, but it all pales into insignificance when we’re treated to the Boardwalk level, a video of which we sneaked out here.
It’s impossible to get across how impressive Apocalypse is over a grainy YouTube video – you can’t really catch the destruction, the debris and the deformation – persistent effects that remain lap after lap, and in some cases worsening as the race goes on. This particular track attracted a great deal of applause, the weather effects alone creating a buzz that formed the basis of many a discussion afterwards.
With the crowd fed and watered, away from the huge screen (and equally oversized loudspeakers) Evolution’s racer absolutely held its own. The game’s simply a joy to play, the balance between the heavy physics of the larger vehicles and the quick acceleration of the bikes and supercars a perfect fit for the ever changing tracks that appear to offer more variety than all of the other MotorStorms put together.
It’s a wilder ride in 3D, too, the sense of depth mostly without gimmicks (save for the odd scrap of metal flying out of the screen) and building on the Pacific Rift taster that those already sporting a 3D TV will no doubt be very familiar with. As with Killzone 3, it’s not essential to be playing the game with the new tech, but the developers clearly know what they’re doing and MotorStorm’s at least got that bullet point checked.
So, whilst this is very much rooted in the mechanics of a series that only kicked off a few years back, the concept’s already familiar and thus the fact that Evolution haven’t reinvented or changed anything for the sake of it is welcome. Of course the scenario’s changed, but after sand, jungle and ice where else could they go except for deep into the city? The twist that it’s all falling to pieces around you only makes it better.
We can’t wait to play it again.
colmshan1990
Sounds good, will pick this up sometime over the summer.
Awayze
The very first game I got on PS3 back in 2007 was Motorstorm and since then I’ve been a loyal fan off the Motorstorm series and I can not wait for this entry into the series.
TSBonyman
Sounds better and better the more i hear about it and i’m looking forward to playing it.
teflon
Bring it on. I can’t wait to play this again. It will be awesome.
MadBoJangles
I got Pacific Rift as part of a “2 for £30” offer ages ago and still haven’t played it!
Not sure why, as I loved the first one. Will have to have a go now after reading this :D
4lf13
Seriously, go play it. You will not be disappointed.
aerobes
It reads very well and the videos have been impressive but having loved the first one, I was very disillusioned with the second so I’ll wait and see before I get too excited about it.
ratkiller75
I’m not sure about this as the fundamental game mechanics haven’t been changed at all but I was pretty good at the original Motorstorm and it was the first game I ever played on PS3. I’ll wait and see about the apocalypse.
moshi
The perfect antidote To GT5.
xT-BAGG3Rx
looks good. havent played motorstorm in ages. might have to go dig it out and give it a blast.
rept0n
Had a go at Playstation Access… It’s brilliant! Quizzed the developer and mentioned Split/Second. They said they were taken aback that it had similarish racing, but assured that although you can’t trigger the destruction of routes for your advantage, some actions are scripted, sone are random, and some are AI specific.
Liked the idea of wagering on multiplayer races.
There are something like 40 different tracks set across 9 different environments.
Day one purchase for mr!!!
rept0n
*me*
gazzagb
Same, I got to play it there too! The 3D visuals are lovely, and make you really feel as if you were there.
Was it Paul that did the talk? He was great, very nice guy. The 2 exclusive levels he showed us looked epic too, I can’t name any other racing game that involves a tornado ripping through it!
The Online system sounds great too, especially with the gambling addition.
posem
Beta Rooms in 3D?
nerdgazm much?