Demo Impressions -by foxNZ

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Do NOT read if you do NOT wish to know Demo content.

Regards.

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If there is one game currently on the XBOX Live marketplace that you want to give a shot (not to mention, willing to spend a hefty 1.3GB of bandwidth on), Pure is it! Breathtaking visuals and exciting gameplay are waiting, so go and try Pure now!

The Pure Demo, initially comes across as quite a 'large' sized Demo for what it offers content-wise. However, I can guarantee most of you will find that it's far from something to complain about. While the Demo only offers a couple of tracks (a nicely commentated Tutorial and a 'sprint' style race on the Italian course, Mount Garda), the excitement you receive from simply playing these two small courses alone make you crave for more. One let-down is however, the lack of bike customisation promised to us in the full release. Albeit the two courses alone are enough to keep you highly entertained, and it would spoil the full game if you had a taste of everything in the demo.

Content aside, the visuals in Pure are simply stunning to say the least. Every detail in the game looks perfect. There was not one moment in which I stumbled across any sort of 'bug' or graphical 'glitch'. Perfection. The animations are excellent; simple details such as your shirt reacting to the wind immerse you into the game, giving these basic details importance out of an otherwise insignificant feature. The bike and character models are amazing, and to add to the intensity of the visuals the scenery (trees, grass, mud, etc) creates a beautiful environment for you to gaze upon as your sliding around a corner to beat two other riders. Pure really has a spectacular approach to next-gen visuals.

Pure's physics are equally as incredible. The way the bike handles, the crashes, the feel of the speed, everything just 'wreaks greatness'. There is a very realistic approach to the initial feel of the game, and every piece of the racing seems to nicely flow together. However, the game itself is far from 'realistic' (in the literal meaning). You will soon find yourself flying around the track at blazing speeds, pulling jumps and obtaining 'insane' air that keeps the game purely exciting, but is far from realistic. In all honesty, had Pure been designed to have a simulation approach to ATV racing, it just wouldnt appeal. The physics simply create a much more entertaining atmosphere while playing Pure.

Audio. A sometimes overlooked feature of a game that I think is generally underrated, however without audio there would really be little to no dynamic feel in the product. Pure's audio does a wonderful job in creating this 'feel'. It's hard to comment on how close to the real thing that the sounds in the game are portrayed, but they are impressive nonetheless. The voice-acting is an excellent feature, and the soundtrack(music) seems to constantly be exactly what you want to hear during that leg of the race, thus setting a nice mood during gameplay. A simple, yet constructive audio system.

The control system is very easy to use, which helps alot to make the game 'quick' to learn. Your basic controls involve using the Left and Right triggers to brake and accelerate, the Left Analogue stick to steer and control your rider in the air, and the Right Analogue stick to look around your rider. Pulling jumps and tricks are executed by launching your rider off a ramp using the Left Analogue stick, then using the A,B or Y buttons + the Analogue stick in any direction to conduct a maneuver. It's an easy method to use, however timing is often essential on the landing of the jump. Also, the X button is used for a 'boost' to your riders speed. You gain 'boost' through pulling and landing tricks, building up your 'boost meter'. It's a handy feature which gives you an advantage over the opposition. This is however, balanced as the 'boost' meter is similar to an 'adrenaline meter'; the more you fill this meter, the stronger the tricks that you can do become. However, using 'boost' drains this meter, disallowing the use of these better tricks until you regain the amount of 'boost' or 'adrenaline' that you need to do so. It sounds a little confusing, but it's as simple as playing the rest of the game. This feature is a key part of gameplay in Pure, and the controls greatly improve the enjoyment of playing the game.

Now the Demo is a little short. But you really will find more than enough content to highly impress you, making you want(or at least become interested) in purchasing the full release. Pure has to be one of the most exciting and entertaining experiences in an arcade racing game that I have ever come across. Every part of the game, whether it be a simple or complex feature; visuals, audio, gameplay, everything is designed to near (if not not, entire) perfection. Pure is truely an excellent game that looks very promising for the full release. I highly recommend that you give it a shot.

SCORE: 9/10

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If you have any questions about the Demo, please feel free to ask. Any feedback is much apprectiated :)

Thank you guys :)

I'm not working for Disney.. haha. No, I'm more looking at doing journalism; reviewing etc, so I thought if I do a few small reviews like this, people can give me feedback on it :)

[QUOTE="magx"]The character models are far from aamzing and I saw some clipping.

Other than that, this is the most fun racing game I have ever played, maybe only second to Burnout 3 if that.
[/QUOTE]

I see.. I never found any clipping personally, but I really appreciate your feedback magx :)

[QUOTE="chcknbopper"]How much did Disney pay you?[/QUOTE] [QUOTE="lewis4manu"]Lol, I was gonna ask if he worked for Disney.[/QUOTE]

Actually, I feel rather complimented that my work was looked at as something on a professional level :P

[QUOTE="think_kam"]Nice try at recovery Disney guy. We are on to you.[/QUOTE]

Hahahahaha!! No really, I'm not working for Disney! :P

Thanks Babycakes :) Yeah, you are right, I would have to agree with you there :P But the animation of the physics itself are quite well done.

[QUOTE="TheVinster"][i]Do NOT read if you do NOT wish to know Demo content.[/i]

Thanks for saving me from the spoilers in the demo.[/QUOTE]

Was that sarcasm? Haha. I just know that I like to play through a Demo and see it all for myself without anyone telling me what's in it. Demo's are fairly small, therefor I like to enjoy it as much as I possibly can :)