MX vs. ATV Unleashed

"best MX/ATV/Offraod Vehicle on the Market. period."

MX vs ATV Unleashed is simply the best motocross game on the market. It has tons of bikes and tons of tracks. It has great physics, best of any MX game, and a realistic feel to it. This is coming from someone who is an avid motocross rider.

Graphics-9/10

The graphics are great in this game, for a PS2. The graphics engine seems to be bumped up from Rainbow's last MX game, MX Unleashed. It pushes the PS2 hardware but not to the point where you get problems. There are no frame rate issues in this game what-so-ever. Great look and with no cost. It is the best graphics any of the MX games have. But, it is the best the PS2 can do which can be bettered on other systems.

Controls-9/10

The controls in this game are amazing. The clutch is on the L1 button like the clutch on the bike is on the left handle. The controls are very sensitive but this can be overcome by simply holding back on the joystick and turning it as needed. It will make the turns very smooth, which is good of course. The standard racing controls are used otherwise (X-Accel. Square-Brake Triangle/O- Tricks. etc.). The only gripe I have against the controls si the lack of a control mapping in the game (where you put what you want where you want). Great controls only missing one extra feature.

Gameplay-10/10

The gameplay in this game is unmatched by anything on the market today. It involves great physics, awesome tracks, numerous types of gameplay, and lots and lots of vehicles to play around with including everything from a plane to a dune buggy to a 4x4 golf cart! Online is a large feature in this game. Online matches are intense, to put it lightly. They are filled with rigorous people all doing whatever they can to get first. If you do not have a broadband connection then there is always splitscreen. There is nothing like going head to head with your friends and it coming down to the last hundredths of a second between first place and second. The AI in the game can be set from 80%-95% where it is a bunch of made up racers or 100%-125% where there are a large amount of real pro riders. The only gripe I have in this field is the physics. Although I said they are great, and they are, they aren't perfect. They seem to be a little floaty. It seems as if gravity is pulling at 7.8m/s^2 instead of 9.8m/s^2. It is not a huge deal since they still are the best on the market, but it is noticeable. You can, however, put the physics to pro and it seems to help some. Although the physics aren't perfect, it doesn't bring the enjoyability of the game down for a second.

Replayability-10/10

This game has so many tracks and modes to play around with it will keep you playing for hours upon hours, weeks upon weeks, months upon months. I personally didn't even take this out of my PS2 for at least 4 months. That is telling you something there. I only wished there was a track maker in the game. If you get the PC version of the game there is, but I have never played that version so I am not going to judge it. All I know is that there are hundreds and hundreds of combinations to be had in this game and it WILL keep you busy for a long time.

Overall-9/10

As two of my fields got a perfect 10/10, two got 9/10. I would rate this a 9.5/10 but there are no fractions in the rating system. If you like offroad games or MX/ATV games, this is the one to get. None hold a flame up to this game. Great game, a few extra things and this will be a 10/10.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 10/13/06