MX vs ATV Alive has been giving a new burst of life after being offered as a free game to Xbox Live Gold Subscribers, but is it worth paying for? Originally released in May, 2011, the fourth title in the MX vs ATV series was developed by Rainbow Studios under the name THQ Digital Phoenix. Since then we've seen the THQ brand, the MX vs ATV series and developers Rainbow Studios … [Read more...]
Review: Motocross Madness (XBLA) 5/10
Motocross Madness is actually the title of two games, and both have been published by Microsoft Games. The first incarnation was developed for release in 1998 by Rainbow Studios, but earlier in 2013 an Xbox Live game was developed by Bongfish Gmbh, and that's the game we've been playing. For some reason Xbox.com only lists the launch trailer, so if you want to download it, … [Read more...]
GRID 2 review: 8/10
Exciting times for racing game fans. Although the current generation of video game consoles is drawing to a close, there have never been more opportunities on the horizon to get your virtual speed fix. Most prominently Gran Turismo 6 and Forza Motorsport 5 in the form of an Xbox One launch game. Not to mention the likes of Driveclub (PlayStation 4) and Need for Speed: Rivals … [Read more...]
F1 2011 review 9/10
First of all, an apology. This review is late in comparison to a lot of other sites around and there are two main reasons for this: Firstly, we didn’t get a preview copy of the game, and second, it has taken a while to get used to. I didn’t want to rush out a review until I had the chance to play the game properly - I wanted to be able to say what it’s really like and to do … [Read more...]
Need for Speed Shift 2: Unleashed Review: 7/10
Shift 2 Unleashed, or the game formerly known as Need for Speed Shift 2: Unleashed, is an interesting game as much for the publicity campaign that preceded its launch as for the game itself. Find out more with our Need for Speed Shift 2: Unleashed review. Whether or not you accept it as the 17th in the Need for Speed franchise, the sequel to Need for Speed: Shift was again … [Read more...]
Codemasters Dirt 3 review – 4/5
As fans of my work will know (hello mum), I was a big fan of the original Dirt, but less so of it's sequel. So here's the difficult third album - it has to keep the original 'rally' fans happy and still appeal to the slick, polished Americanised variety showcase that was Dirt 2. And I’m pleased to say it generally straddles the delicate balance between the two quite … [Read more...]
Thrustmaster T500 RS wheel and pedal set review: 4/5
Everything about the Thrustmaster T500 RS suggests an extremely high level of quality; the specs, the only official Gran Turismo 5 licence, and especially the £400+ price. But does it live up to the expectations that have built since it was announced at the start of the year? Read our Thrustmaster T500 RS wheel and pedal set review to find out. Having been lucky enough to … [Read more...]
Test Drive Unlimited 2 Review: 2.5/5
It’s taken a while to get around to reviewing Test Drive Unlimited 2 – not because we haven’t been playing it, but partly because we wanted to make sure we cover all the angles after a slightly animated response from some people to our list of issues with the game. So in an effort to make sure we’re fair, we ended up not writing about it – a situation we’re rectifying now for … [Read more...]
Gran Turismo 5 review: 4/5
Well it’s finally here, and after years of planning, and development, and yes, delays, GT5 has arrived. Or has it? Sure, the title is here, but is the promise of another console racing simulation revolution from Polyphony something you can bank on, or will the relatively soon to follow GT6 be the real deal? That all depends on your contextual expectations I suppose, and what … [Read more...]
Trials HD Review – 4/5
Trials HD is an unusual game - it originally started life as an online flash game played on your PC, but since then it's evolved into a PC game, and in the case of this version, an Xbox Live Arcade release retailing for 1200 MS points. Developed by Red Lynx, the game has stayed true to it's roots by remaining incredibly simple and addictive. You control a trials rider and … [Read more...]
Race Driver: GRID review 4/5
Justifying a review two years after release and earning a high score shows how well Codemasters' Race Driver: GRID has stood the test of time. Not only does it still have enough loyal followers to make it easy to find online games (On the Xbox version used for review, anyway), but with Race Driver: GRID Reloaded available for around £15 (Which includes the 8-Ball Pack DLC), … [Read more...]
Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit Demo – first impressions
The Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit demo is now available to play, and we've been checking out what it's like, and what it shows for the final game, due out on November 16th (US) and November 19th (Europe) for the Xbox 360, PS3, Wii and PC. Initial impressions of the Hot Pursuit Demo: The first thing you'll notice is an effective intro which is loud, colourful and channels … [Read more...]
ORD reviews Codemaster’s F1 2010 – 4.5/5
Well, where do you begin? After all the hype and expectation, the first Formula One game for four years has arrived. Much was hoped for when Codemasters obtained the licence - a company with a good track record in making great racing games, and their style is immediately apparent when you boot up the game. The presentation and menus are all beautifully presented - clean and … [Read more...]
ModNation Racers review: 3/5
So – is it a Mario-Kart beater? Well, nearly. There you go, you can stop reading now. Oh, you’re still here? Enraged and want me to justify that irritatingly ambiguous conclusion? Oh, alright then – enjoy this ModNation Racers review, just for you. The main problem for ModNation Racers, and indeed for any game of this type is that Mario Kart is brilliant. It always has been … [Read more...]
Need for Speed: Shift review: 2.5/5
Before Forza Motorsport and Gran Turismo, there was Need for Speed. For those in need of a history lesson, the first Need for Speed game appeared in 1994 for the 3DO, with PC, Playstation and Sega Saturn games following up in the next couple of years. At the time is was one of the only attempts to create a realistic simulation, and a main part of the gameplay was being chased … [Read more...]