MotorStorm Arctic Edge (PSP) – that's the way you make games!
There are so many bad racing games for the PSP and so few good ones. Previously I had pretty horrible experience with Codemasters Dirt 2 for the PSP, which is a terrible game on any standards, I have no idea if Dirt 2 is better on PC or other platforms but the PSP version is just… well it is just insulting, the same can be said about all Need For Speed for the PSP – not a single decent game (PC versions is a different story).
So Motorstorm Arctic Edge goes right with Burnout Legends, Burnout Dominator, Flatout Headon and Wipeout – the 'Awesome Racing Games'.This is a game like 'Tekken Dark Resurrection' or 'Burnout' – if you don't have a PSP – you sould buy one.
I used to like PC game by Codemasters 1nsane, low-poly cars but great gameplay the feeling of freedom on the route you take and Motorstorm Arctic Edge has that.
I hope it will become a standard or an example for future games created for the PSP.
'Festival' singleplayer mode, that's the main course where you get points, acquire ranks (1-8) and unlock new races (100).
There are 12 tracks that are beautifully designed, some have dirt on lower grounds and some snow falling, which looks really cool in photo mode where you can freeze the race and take snapshots of the game, it has a 3D camera for it so can rotate the view zoom in and out etc nice.
You can try different routes while racing, that makes races less repetitive.
8 different vehicles that have three versions so 24 in all, but I haven't unlocked all of them yet.
My favorite vehicle is buggy, I have a hard time racing with a truck called 'Big Rig' in game, there's a bike, ATV, snow machine, Rally car, snowplugger, and Snowcat which is a kind of snow bulldozer.
I really like the mechanics in game, vehicles feel to have weight and you actually feel like you are responsible for the way you drive and not stuff just happening… hard to explain:)
There is a short delay after the race starts for using boost (or universally know Nitro feature:),
The vehicle will explode if you hold the boost too long without cooling.
The crashes also look cool not the Burnout level but when you crash you'll notice:)
I hate when people say "The Graphics looks great" but then add "…for a PSP game", it should be:
"The Graphics looks great". That's it, I own a PSP so naturally I want it look great for my PSP and it does so I'm happy finito.
The sound is realistic, not some annoying monotonous buzzing as in many other games.
'Wreckreation' mode, is for practicing and multiplayer, you can select:
'Time Attack' where you practice with ghosts of your own, developers or downloaded.
'Free-Play' here you can select tracks and their reverse versions which makes 24 tracks, sweet!
'Race type' (standard, time ticker). 'Difficulty' (easy, medium or hard). And 'Grid type' (one vehicle c.l.a.s.s or mixed). 'Multiplayer'. (Adhoc or Online) haven't tried those yet because I'm heavily into unlocking races in 'Festival' mode.
'Garage' mode where you select:
'Vehicles' for customization
'Statistics' (your progress in the game)
'Badges' – there is 50 badges to unlock
'Media' (videos to unlock)
'Driver' (where you select unlocked drivers).
'Options' mode:
'Profiles' (create profile, load, save, delete, autosave)
'Controls' (I use 'Digital' 'c.l.a.s.s.i.c.' as Motorstorm default didn't feel right to me)
'Audio'
The game has a custom soundtrack feature, I love it, I can put my favourite music (mp3s) on a memory card and it is added to game's playlist, all games should have custom soundtrack feature.
Now why is soundtrack so important? Because when I'm listening to my favourite music I'm stronger, harder, better, faster :) And any soundrack no matter how good gets old after a while, now there you have it soundtrack always good.
What else I would like from this game:
Track editor for creating custom tracks, even if it would involve third party software (3dsMax or whatever) I'm 3D modeller so I would like to have some input because it is really great game and I want this game to last.
So to finish this of – if you have a PSP go buy this game, if you do not have a PSP: go buy a PSP and then buy this game.
Arigato for reading:)
-Korado3D http;//www.youtube.com/korado3d
over and out.