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MX vs. ATV Unleashed Review - PS2

Last year’s MX Unleashed is without a doubt the best motocross game on the PlayStation 2, delivering down-and-dirty racing that few other games have dared to attempt. Developer Rainbow Studios has taken the series a step further with the game’s follow-up, MX vs. ATV Unleashed, throwing the arguably more dangerous ATV into the mix, as the title suggests. Brush the dust off your equipment and strap in once again; adding ATV’s to any game is bound to create an improvement.

Gameplay

MX vs. ATV Unleashed, like it's predecessor, revolves around a range of game modes that focus upon either racing or pulling off wild stunts. The Championships section of the menu obviously holds the meat of the gameplay, featuring both a Nationals Championship and a THQ SX Championship, while the Single Player section allows access to the more arcade-compatible events such as Freestyle and Challenges. Both of the championships can be played through simultaneously using either or both the motorbike and ATV, the two differing in terms of scoring and tracks; the Nationals Championship is raced on outdoor tracks, while the THQ SX Championship takes place indoors. While this offers a lot of variety and extends the game’s lifespan, I would’ve liked to see the championships a little more restricted; perhaps a solely MX championship and a solely ATV championship, for example.

If you’ve followed the game’s development at all you’ll know it contains a variety of vehicles aside from the motorbikes and ATV’s, these being similarly off-road vehicles such as monster trucks, golf carts and helicopters. Unfortunately, though, they aren’t weaved through the championships nor do they feature their own championships at all as they tended to be portrayed; rather, they’re restricted to the straightforward Challenges mode, which involves various tasks that can optionally be completed in order to unlock the ton of goodies in the game. This gives the bonus vehicles a ‘tacked-on’ feeling despite the fact that they all handle realistically and feel well-implemented; the helicopter, for example, requires intense concentration. It’s safe to say that the motorbikes and ATV’s make up the bulk of the vehicles in the game, this not too surprising, however, considering it's title. Just don’t be fooled into thinking you’ll get to use the bonus vehicles often or play through the game’s main modes with them.

As mentioned above, a whole bunch of pieces of clothing and other items such as new motorbikes and ATV’s are unlocked as you progress through the game. These can each be purchased in the Store with money won in races, the amount determined by the position you crossed the finish line in. Subsequently you’re able to outfit your rider with these items, customising everything from his jersey and pants to his helmet and goggles. In addition, you’re able to edit the name and number on the back of the jersey, this level of customisation creating a genuinely immersive experience.

The races in the championships follow a rigorous and realistic series of events. Before jumping into the (continued next page)