MotorStorm Apocalypse revs up PS3 next year

There's another MotorStorm on the horizon. Sony Computer Entertainment America today announced MotorStorm Apocalypse will arrive on the PlayStation 3 sometime next year.

As the name might suggest, Apocalypse is a bit of a detour for the franchise. Where previous installments of the series were almost a world tour of exotic and eye-catching natural environments, the next MotorStorm will be set in an earthquake-ravaged metropolis inspired by the US Pacific coast, specifically the San Francisco Bay Area. Not only will the races take place in the aftermath of a massive tremor, but they will also be interrupted by aftershocks that change the landscape and shift routes on the fly.

That's not the only change in store for the series. Developer Evolution Studios is also adding a single-player story mode that lets gamers experience a narrative unfolding from the eyes of three characters that represent the game's different difficulty levels. The team is also adding five new vehicle classes, 40 distinct races, and a four-player split-screen that's compatible with the online modes for up to 16 players. Finally, Apocalypse will feature customizable vehicles and a game mode creator so players can put their own stamp on the action.

For more on MotorStorm Apocalypse, check out GameSpot's hands-on preview.