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MotorStorm: Arctic Edge Preview
Written by Robert Workman on Friday, May 8, 2009
Sony takes MotorStorm on the road, this time with a winter theme.
Sony and Evolution Studios have done a slam-bang job on the MotorStorm series, establishing games that capture the intensity of off-road racing. The first two entries were exclusive to the PlayStation 3, but this fall, Sony will bring the excitement to the PlayStation Portable. Gamers concerned that MotorStorm: Arctic Edge won't be of the same caliber as the previous games have nothing to worry about.
BigBig Studios effectively recreated the off-road racing experience for the PSP, and surprisingly enough, without sacrificing that much detail. Rather than take place on a desert mountain or in the Hawaiian tropics, it'll thrust players into snow-filled territory. Dangerous icy roads, snow-capped jumps and rock formations are littered throughout each course, forcing you to stay frosty so you don't end up a fiery wreck. If that's not bad enough, the competition will breathe down your neck. From speedy motorbikes to big-rig drivers, these guys have no problem crushing you.
Multiple paths and environmental dangers are also strewn throughout each course. Some are better suited for smaller vehicles, like motorbikes and ATVs. Take rope bridges, for example. They'll hold steady for these vehicles, but if a larger one tries to cross, it'll snap quicker than a mousetrap. You'll also need to watch out for avalanches, because piles of snow have a way of blocking paths and possibly even burying you. What's cool is that you can actually trigger avalanches using your car horn, forcing the snow onto your opponents. Just make sure you realize that turnabout is fair play, as they can do the exact same thing to you.
Along with the vast selection of vehicles (over 20) and tracks (12 plus mirrored tracks), other mainstays in the MotorStorm series return for Arctic Edge. The slow-motion destruction camera, for instance, allows you to view your crashes in beautiful, wince-inducing fashion. Multiplayer is also present and accounted for, through both local AdHoc and Infrastructure mode; up to eight players will be able to compete at once.
Then there's the presentation. The visuals look great, with a nice amount of attention given to each winter course. You'll clearly be able to see where the ice patches are, even though you'll be going so fast you won't be able to avoid them all. You can expect lots of racing sounds in the game too, including plenty of roaring engines and an eclectic mix of techno/alternative music tracks.
MotorStorm: Arctic Edge will cross the finish line this August. Be sure to check back and see if it keeps the Edge.
