Lunatics Unite! Motorstorm returns for it's third outing in the series bringing you into yet another treacherous local.
As far as graphics go it looks pretty great for a PSP game. The tracks are detailed beautifully with lots of rich textures and signage and the signature overdone archways that Motorstorm is known for. You also can cause rockslides and avalanches, and with the proper timing you can wipe out the competition. The vehicles are pretty good too but lack the great damage models from the console versions. Not to say that there aren't damage models at all, but they are severely toned down. The vehicles won't explode into a thousand pieces like the console versions, instead you'll lose a couple major parts and some generic particle effects. Overall its expected considering the PSP's lower grade of power but still rather impressive. The drivers are rendered nicely with some ragdoll physics. Once again not comparable to the Havok engine, but for a portable game it's rather impressive. Sound on the other hand is decent at best, the vehicles have some nice rumbles, and the track noise from your tires scraping on the surface is decent enough, but nothing really sticks out. The soundtrack is pretty good with alot of todays mainstream rock and metal. One of the features this game pulls over from Pacific Rift is custom soundtracks. You can take up to 128 tracks from you Memory Stick and they will be automatically added to your customizable in game track list. Makes for great racing rockin to your own songs.
Some things that I'm glad that they didn't bring over from the last two outings that being the nearly impossible AI. Now its alot more difficult to wreck from other drivers then it is to fall victim to the environment. Even then its a little bit farther between wrecks than it was in the last games. A very welcome addition. Something that helps this are the solid controls that are actually consistent for a change. The difficulty is still fairly steep but not borderline impossible. It makes the game that much more enjoyable. You also have tons of content at your finger tips. From the robust Festival mode that will give you the opportunity to unlock extra liveries, and some add on parts for the new customization features Arctic Edge has to offer. You also have the Wreckreation option which gives you access to Time Attack, Free Races, and the great Multiplayer suite which allows for 8 player Infrastructure and Ad-Hoc modes. I have had some experience with the online and local multiplayer suites and they work fairly well. Online using the PSN you get reletively lag free matches, although there is some minor collision detection issues to be had. Its not a game breaker as most matches run silky smooth. Local on the other hand benefits from the same lag free games, but still some issues when it comes to collisions. Overall its a great multiplayer system that benefits the game if the computer AI isn't challenging you enough.
In my experience with the Motorstorm franchise it has been hectic and fun(albeit frustrating at times). Overall it's my favorite racing series yet. This one stands up to its older brothers by creating a new experience that sticks to the original formula while being portable. It combines a great Festival mode with all kinds of fun and varied events, along with some great free play options and multiplayer with tons of stuff to unlock along the way. If your a fan of arcadish offroad racing you might wanna check this out.