One month earlier from now, i got a promotion code for the demo of the upcoming game "MotorStorm: Pacific Rift". I immediately installed it, played it and got a pretty clear picture of the game. Unfortunately the demo included not enough content to do a full review. So here is the Preview of the PlayStation 3 exclusive offroad racer "MotorStorm: Pacific Rift".
The first thing that clearly sets that game appart from the first "MotorStorm" is the change of the setting from dusty deserts to a pacific island setting. And it does the game no bad. The new enviroments are much more detailed and the plants and trees show much more and much smoother shadows than in the predecessor. Water looks great and the lighting has also been improved. There are some flaws with the shadows on the vehicles themselves, but still there has never been a racing game looking so gorgeous.
The 2nd big feature is the splitscreen multiplayer mode, that has been absent from the first game. You can race it out with up to 3 other friends on one sofa and have fun doing it even after 3 hours. This isn't a big deal for a racing game but defenetly an improvement compared to the first one.
The third and last thing Sony added is a new vehicle class: Monstertrucks. These are heavy four-wheelers with good acceleration and a medium speed. They controll much like the old racing-trucks with the big bonus of just riding over the other racers with some bigass wheels.
Appart from these 3 additions there is not much new to the game. There is still the 12 player online mode and the "play" mode on which you complete different events in form of racing cards to unlock new vehicles and vehicle modifications. Game mechanics have also stayed the same as in the original MotorStorm, bringing you a realistical feefling while riding through the pacific mudd. Like in the 1st one it's all about managing your boost meter to not let it overheat and as a result explode and cool it down by catching some air or riding through water.
The soundtrack is also strong with a mix of rock, metal, techno and house supporting you while digging you're way through the other cars to the 1st place.
"MotorStorm: Pacific Rift" has basicaly stayed the same as the original, and that's not a bad thing! Because of the addition of split screen races, the change to the pacific enviroment and not at least because of the kickass soundtrack this "MotorSorm: Pacific Rift" could be an enjoyable racinggame and even have chances for the title best racing game 2008. Every PS3 owner with a fable for racing games should keep an eye on that one.
~Ridley
