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.
Origami Killer
loved both motorstorms, but this comes out at the end of march which is annoying as this is when im starting revision for my AS’s :( so this will be a defo summer pick up :)
Jumping Monks
Sounds pretty good to me, loved the first two. Only concern I have for this though, are the people walking the streets. Anyone know how much impact they have on the game. Do they change the game-play in anyway, having to avoid them for some sort of penalty, or can you run them down with a good blood splat, or do they avoid you like in the driver games, or anything else? Do they actually serve a purpose game-play wise, or just for that added feel it really is an apocalypse and people are trying to escape and find shelter. Alright, I know it’s a racing game, and it’s all about the driving but well yeah.
Tuffcub
They are gang memebers and they are out to stop you – some wil even grab the back of you car as you race past.
kivi95
If you play online you can take them away.
Tuffcub
So they’ve done Sand, Jungle, Ice, Fire, City.. what the hell is left for Motorstorm 4? Motorstorm: Sunday Drive Through The English Countryside? Motorstorm: Vineyards of Southern France? Motorstorm: M25 Jam? Motorstorm: Birmingham Ring Road? IN all aseriousness the only thing I can think of is if they do amphibious vehciles so you can race on land and water.
BG123
The Moon?
rept0n
Would be amazing! Introduce gravity effects and things like meteor showers! Graphics would be stunning! Could have it set on different planets or spacestations… Racing near the sun would be immense!
Seven Wonders could be interestin from a vista point of view.
posem
rerelease Arctic Edge on ps3?
:/
dnlgee
Wasn’t too keen on the first Motorstorm, only had a couple of goes on the sequel but I didn’t get into it, I’ve had Apocolypse on pre-order since it was announced and quite looking forward to it. Not had a decent racer for a while.
posem
just need to pick up Pacific Rift on the cheap now and im pretty much sorted :D
Crazy_Del
I’m sooo looking forward to it I’m currently playing Artic Edge here at work (hate night shift too damn quiet)
I’m very looking forward to get this plus you get a bonus bike if you pre-order it from Play.com