Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX 2

"I'm very disappointed with this game."

Introduction:
I purchased a gamecube, looking for three games. This was one of them. But I'm not very interested in BMX games. I picked this one up hoping that the power of my new console would make me like a BMX game. Sadly, this game is horrible.

GAMEPLAY:
Sadly, the gameplay in Mirra 2 is bad. In one-player, all you ever do is tricks and try to meet the goals, which are pointless. In multiplayer, it is actually somewhat enjoyable, but it lacks depth. You can also unlock new things once you progress through the game, but none of them are actually rewarding.

The controls in Mirra are also bad. At first, I tried holding A to move. But it didn't work. I was totally lost. Then I figured out that you should use the control stick to move. Also, the tricks are very hard to execute. That's what you get when you purchase this game.

I don't really know if there's any replay value in mirra, because I haven't actually played this game for fun, considering how horrible it is. Oh, well.

GAMEPLAY SCORE: 4.3

GRAPHICS

The graphics in Mirra are actually pretty decent. The worlds don't look bad, but the characters sort of have no facial expressions. But.....after all, it still competes with the blank-faced people in other games. You have to give it some credit there.

The animation in Mirra runs fairly smooth. In my short time of playing it, I haven't noticed any slowdown in the animation.

GRAPHICS SCORE: 8.3

SOUND:

Congratulations, reader. If you're brave enough to be reading right now, I will introduce you to the worst part of this game. The sound. The sound effects in Mirra are abysmal. The only sound you here is the annoying bike pedaling, and the grunts of your player when he falls of his bike.

The music in Mirra is even worse. Offhand, I can't remember the songs it plays, but none of them are ''very good''. If you want good music, play the Tony Hawk games, not this.

SOUND SCORE: 3.2

CHALLENGE:

Dave Mirra is hard, no doubt about it. In each level, you are given different levels of goals to complete. Beginner, something, something, and something else. In the hardest one, the goals seem impossible. But, if you get used to the crappy controls, maybe you could complete them.

Mirra isn't a very long game, but you'll be playing it for a little bit until you get to the last level. It gives you about 15+ hours, not very bad. My advice: Enter cheats. This game is so frustrating, that you'll need a cheat to help you. Unless you're a masterful player...........

CHALLENGE SCORE: 6.9

SCORES REVIEW:

gameplay: 4.3
graphics: 8.3
sound: 3.2
challenge: 6.9
overall: 5.1 (rounds to 5)

BUY OR RENT?
I would recommend neither, unless you're a hard core BMX fan, and you can stand the frustrating controls, then rent it. If you REALLY like it, you'll have the courage to buy it. Just my advice, you don't have to trust my review. You may think this is the best game ever, but it's just my perspective of the game. Believe what you want to believe.

LAST WORD: Nothing really. I never played the game that much, but like a said, believe what you want to believe. And have fun.

Reviewer's Score: 5/10, Originally Posted: 09/14/02, Updated 09/14/02