Every console launch sees its share of rushed titles. And while MotorStorm is a success and a blast to play, it is a bit on the anemic side when it comes to modes. If there ever was a game with untapped potential, this is it.
The setup for the game is simple, if not a bit off the wall. The MotorStorm Festival is in Monument Valley, and your job is conquering every race (of course). The single player mode is comprised of tickets; each with one to four races a piece, each requiring different car classes. There are seven car classes in all, including rally cars, big rigs, dirt bikes, ATVs, racing trucks, buggies, and mud pluggers. Think of it as rally racing with loads more mayhem.
In one race, you may be able to use any vehicle that is available to you, while you will be required to race a big rig in another ticket. It forces you to figure out how to play as each class, and they all handle very differently.
There are only eight tracks, but they are all pretty long, and packed full of cliffs, ramps, and many other dangerous obstacles. Each track has multiple paths, which are suited for the different vehicle classes.
Once you complete this career mode, you have one other option: online multiplayer. There is no split-screen multiplayer, and no time trial mode, Venturing online also felt a little empty, as there was no form of buddy list whatsoever.
Thanks to the PC model of "release first, patch later" that I loath so much, MotorStorm now has an online buddy list, and will be getting a Time Attack mode, plus some premium content in the form of tracks and vehicles. There has been no word yet on split screen, only a tease from the developers, alluding to the fact that they might add it if enough people want it. Yes, I want split-screen in MotorStorm because when I have friends over, we like to play racing games against one another.
Maybe the high graphical detail makes split-screen difficult, but if other racing games can muster it, MotorStorm should too. Online multiplayer is it for now, and its pretty solid. With little lag, and up to 12 people per match, online races are the meat of this racer. The lobby system works well, and match options allow for a few details you do not get to choose from in the single player game.
Article comments
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Motorstorm is a great game which has mind blowing physics and graphics but the problem is with its lack of options, customizations, modes and has a fewer tracks. This situation made me disappointed. Motorstorm is such a great game which shows the power of PS3 but the game feels incompleted though.