Toronto Thumbs

REVIEW
MotorStorm: Pacific Rift

It was no secret that at launch, the PS3 had a serious lack of quality games.  One of the exceptions however was MotorStorm, a game that took both racing and console visuals to the extreme.  This time around, I’m happy to say that even though the PS3 library has far more quality and depth, the sequel to MotorStorm, Pacific Rift, still stands out due to it’s tight and frantic races that take place in exotic volcanic locations all presented in beautiful HD perfection.

The original MotorStorm really pushed the envelope when it came to what was graphically possible on the “difficult to program for” PlayStation 3 platform, and MotorStorm: Pacific Rift is no different in that respect.  The fire and water effects look especially good, while the exotic locales immerse the player.  The environment looks so good, it almost makes the vehicles the secondary attraction.

That feeling changes however thanks to the great sounding engines and effects.  The engine roar is extremely satisfying and differs between the different vehicle types.  One complaint I have is the very limited soundtrack that’s included.  I was listening to the same song often enough throughout my play time for it to be a notable point, though this can be seen as a minor complaint as custom soundtracks are supported.

I described the racing as frantic earlier in this review, and that’s exactly what this arcade style racer brings to the table.  A great sense of speed is achieved while whipping through the beautiful environments.  Races take place across four different zones: Fire, Water, Earth, and Air, and each has a direct effect on how racers compete.  The Fire zone for instance, takes place on the active side of the volcanic island.  This is of course a high-temperature zone, which raises the engine-heat of a vehicle very quickly and effectively reduces the amount of boost that can be used before overheating.  The much cooler Water zone has the opposite effect, as there are many wet patches that when driven through will cool the engine and allow for more boost.  The environment having this effect on races is a great addition, and can really mix things up nicely.

Also available this time around is the new Monster Truck vehicle class, which is a great way to get out of traffic jams or make your way to the front of the pack off the starting line.  As in the original MotorStorm, vehicles have completely different driving physics and perform differently depending on the terrain being driven over. Combined with the varied environments, each race can be a new experience even on the same track.

Players will have to keep these variables in mind if they want to have any success in the online world.  If you’re up to the challenge, getting into an online match is a simple process, and leads to a solid and smooth racing experience.  Online play even features a team staging or lobby area to keep a group of friends together from race to race, which is a surprising addition for a racer.

MotorStorm: Pacific Rifttakes the good from the original and builds upon it in every way.  More event types, a new vehicle, and extreme fast and varying gameplay make this an easy buy for racing fans who like it arcade.  There’s a lot to like here, and with the promise of more great content in the way of mostly free DLC I have to ask: What are you waiting for!?

Posted in Awesome, PlayStation 3, Reviews |