MotorStorm is one of the most gratifying racing franchises on the PlayStation 3. It contains an intense off-road experience where the track comes alive with punches and terrain deformation. The franchise is loaded with so much chaos and destruction that you can rest assured that you will not experience the same race more than once. Read more for the full review.
This intensity certainly does not change with the inaugural release of the franchise on the PSP. Developed by Bigbig Studios, the same team behind Pursuit Force; MotorStorm: Arctic Edge captures the same hardcore gameplay and features the enormous tracks that gamers have experienced on the PS3, but now you can take it on the go. MotorStorm: Arctic Edge pushes portable racing to the next level with excellent gameplay, admirable visuals, and complete chaos.
MotorStorm: Arctic Edge provides you with all of the modes you need to unlock new content, practice your racing skills, and earn your bragging rights online. The single player experience, known as “the festival,” brings you over 100 events which you can complete to unlock vehicles that contain varying stats (speed, acceleration, toughness, and handling).
The single player mode is complimented with “wreckreation” mode. In this mode, gamers have the choice of participating in time attack which gives you the ability to both upload and download other people’s ghosts, engaging in free-play which allows you to select the track, the number of laps, your vehicle class, etc., and of course multiplayer – which allows you to duke it out with local friend via adhoc mode or play someone across the country via infrastructure.
MotorStorm: Arctic Edge is a top-tier racing game for the portable gaming market that makes excellent use of the power of the PSP. If you have played the MotorStorm franchise on the PS3, just imagine turning on your PSP and being transported to an icy Alaskan terrain where you having to deal with avalanches, icy caverns, and collapsing bridges. This image should give you an idea of the type of chaotic happenings that occur while controlling one of the eight vehicle classes incorporated into the arctic landscape. The eight classes included in MotorStorm: Arctic Edge are as followed:
Bike
ATV
Snow Machine
Buggy
Rally Car
Snowplugger
Snowcat
Big Rig
Visually, MotorStorm: Arctic Edge looks fantastic for a portable title. Everything from the vehicle models, level design, and the weather effects look outstanding for a PSP game. Most importantly, Arctic Edge remains smooth with a consistent frame rate that rarely takes a hit during the captivating visuals. While it may not be the best looking game on the platform, it certainly does not disappoint.
MotorStorm: Arctic Edge excels in capturing the MotorStorm experience while running on a much less powerful piece of hardware. Gamers will still experience the chaotic battles to the finish line and the turmoil that occurs during a race.
Gamers will still be treated to MotorStorm’s patented doses of rag-doll physics as drivers flying off of their vehicles as the game showcases a wreck. Your opponents are crafty and they are always hungry to knock you off a snow-covered mountain and into a terrifying avalanche. Even though some aspects of the game had to be tuned down due to hardware capabilities, the gameplay and utter chaos you have experienced from the MotorStorm franchise remains unchanged.
Bigbig Studios has accomplished an amazing feat where many other developers failed. The team has succeeded in being able to take a PS3 franchise and to bring it kicking and screaming to the portable realm unscathed. With outstanding gameplay, captivating visuals, and complete utter madness; MotorStorm: Arctic Edge is a MUST buy for any racing fan out there with a PSP, especially if you are a fan of the series on the PS3.
Final Score: 8.5/10
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