MX vs. ATV Reflex

[ODogg]

Re: MX vs. ATV Reflex

oh snap, that's awesome. so you recommend the game?

[JMD]

Re: MX vs. ATV Reflex

oh snap, that's awesome. so you recommend the game?

I've been playing MX games since Motocross madness 1 on the PC. Reflex is the best I've played so far, certainly the most realistic. Beware of online play though,(Supercross and Nationals) one slight tap of another bike sends you spinning, I recommend getting a good start and getting to the first turn ahead of everyone else, or hold back a bit and wait for them to wreck each other then cruise on by, or you can just set up a private match with friends only.

[coffeeholic]

Re: MX vs. ATV Reflex

I would suggest getting this game if you liked Motocross Madness on PC. It does not have the mod community support MM did but it's a great game with the new rider positioning and track deformation.
On the last Mx vs Atv I would get frustrated to no ends if I did not land perfectly and paid for it with a wreck that would put me in dead last. Sometimes mx riders can recover from bad landings. The opportunity to do so is in this game, not everytime-Still it is there.

My only complaint for offline play is the AI is a little overly tenacious like most racing games. As JMD said here, best deal is to either make sure you get the holeshot or back off for a bit. Starts are always the most crazy part of a mx race in reality.
Once you get the feel of the track, make some of your own "sig lines"-You'll be alright after some practice. I like to go way out to the corners or cut in hard-Thus trying to go where the AI won't.

I think anyone who likes dirtbike racing is going to enjoy the way the track tears up. I've seen ruts that were almost as deep as the bottom of my front shocks after a 30 lap National run. Good stuff.

[ODogg]

Re: MX vs. ATV Reflex

JMD - how does it compare to Motocross Madness 2 though? That was my all time favorite racing game. If it's like it or better then it's a nobrainer buy for me (despite my guilt & gaming thread, lol)

[ODogg]

Re: MX vs. ATV Reflex

coffeholic - thanks, i just read your reply, that's great to hear that it compares favorably!!

[Badboy49er]

Re: MX vs. ATV Reflex

Ive been playing the game like mad since i got it. I really like it! Having the ruts really affect your racing line is the best part IMO. You really have to pay attention. The cool part is my past experience in racing MX really helps as you know how to correctly take lines throught out the course. And yes the AI can be brutal sometimes but i guess its better than too easy.

So i really like the game, funny though even though i usually dont pay attention too much normally but i really hate the menus haha. They are just down right ugly to me.

[Blzer]

Re: MX vs. ATV Reflex

I somewhat liked the PS3 demo and I'll give it another shot though the controls somewhat frustrated me, but what's this about people saying this game has good graphics? I think they're horrible.

[JMD]

Re: MX vs. ATV Reflex

I've got the game for the 360 and it looks quite good. Haven't played it on the PS3. I only buy PS3 exclusive games for the PS3. If they are out for both consoles the 360 gets the game.

[Avordo99]

Re: MX vs. ATV Reflex

I like the PS3 demo as well. Although the steering takes some getting used to it's a challenge and I'm getting the hang of it. Only thing I can't understand is why the clutch is R1 vice L1. Can the controls be changed in the actual game? Thanks.

[JMD]

Re: MX vs. ATV Reflex

I like the PS3 demo as well. Although the steering takes some getting used to it's a challenge and I'm getting the hang of it. Only thing I can't understand is why the clutch is R1 vice L1. Can the controls be changed in the actual game? Thanks.

Yeah, that confused me about the demo as well, and yes you can change it. I use config #2, it's on the left bumper. This is on the 360 but I'm sure it's the same for the PS3.

[Avordo99]

Re: MX vs. ATV Reflex

Great! Thanks for the reply.

[bp4baseball]

Re: MX vs. ATV Reflex

I have played the demo, and I think its a strong base. It'll let them work on improving other aspects of the game. I really like the reflex and track deformation

[lnin0]

Re: MX vs. ATV Reflex

Here is my quick take after one season and a couple hours online with a friend.

+ track deformation
This is brilliant and ahead of any racer that has tried it before. It not only models tires tracks but your riders body as it skips across the ground. Keep doings enough donuts near water and you will eventually hit the water table and your hole will turn into a puddle.

+ bikes
It's an MX game so you have to love the bikes.

+ leaning
It isn't too far removed from what things used to be, but it is just enough to make it interesting. It doesn't always work or feel perfect but it does feel like you have more control than in past games. Being able to lean and quickly save a bad landing is also a welcome addition...although not all landings are salvageable.

+ crashes
Rag doll riders and clanking bikes being thrown across deformable surfaces - doesn't always look 'real' but what isn't to love about that kind of carnage.

+ tracks
Overall there seems to be a good, but not great, number of tracks. Most are pretty well designed but they do like to test your memorization skills with jumps that point to danger if taken at face value or full compression. I would have liked to see more MX tracks in place of the truck/buggie stuff.

+ customization
The game offers a decent selection of rides and gear. You can customize the look of your clothing and bike graphics from pre-made designs but have no finer control than that. You can also add basic parts to the bikes/atvs that change the looks somewhat and give a few stat boosts. If you want Forza 3 look elsewhere, but if you just want some quick options to make your guy look different from everyone else online then there should be plenty.

- textures
Low res textures (especially the ground). Also not helped by whatever texture filtering they use on the ground as the separation between the crisp close textures and the blurry distant textures is quite noticeable. Graphically it isn't horrible looking, just mid-pack.

- sounds
Bad soundtrack. Bad engine sounds. Looping on many of the engines is messed up and they just sound like horrible popping when going over a washboard section. Crashes are one of the better notes.

- ai
It is a racing game so I won't say the ai is any worse than the lot. They do seem rather blind to your presence though and this can lead to a lot of frustrating restarts when you are constantly being knocked off you bike.

- reset me!
Bounce off the track or crash and you are usually reset quickly. Sometimes though, you crash or just go off track and the reset waits and waits or doesn't come at all. You are left to squirm and wiggle your way back on course loosing dozens of spots. Maybe I'm spoiled by all the games that have rewind now?

- gps
Is there no in-game map? I can get along ok without a map on the circuits but in free roam where I am hunting for markers it sure would be nice to have a map displayed on screen rather than having to pause every time to check.

- controls
The face buttons are sparsely used so why is there no config to put the clutch on a face button. The default is the right bumper - same finger as the gas. I am not sure what six fingered tester thought this was great, but anyone with five digits is going to find it inconvenient. Your other options is to move it to the left bumper which then moves your trick button to something equally hard to manipulate. How hard can 'custom' controls be ?

? physics
Overall they are enjoyable. Far from 'sim' but better than the past yet still quit a few wtf moments

? feature creep
Aside from the MX and ATVs, I find all the other vehicles a waste. The trucks and buggies are handled so much better in Dirt and Baja why did THX even feel the need to branch out. Neither of those games feel the need to include bikes. Give me more of the MX - that is why I'm buying this game.

Overall, its an entertaining game but far from greatness - even in the empty MX racing genre. If you are a hard core fan then you probably already have it, if not wait until the price drops or ask for it as a gift.

[ODogg]

Re: MX vs. ATV Reflex

thanks for your impressions, i'm going to keep my eye out for it on craigslist for $30-35..

[JMD]

Re: MX vs. ATV Reflex

? feature creep
Aside from the MX and ATVs, I find all the other vehicles a waste. The trucks and buggies are handled so much better in Dirt and Baja why did THX even feel the need to branch out. Neither of those games feel the need to include bikes. Give me more of the MX - that is why I'm buying this game.
.

As a huge Motocross fan I have been e-mailing THQ and Rainbow Studios every year after the most recent MX vs ATV game comes out, pleading with them to drop the other vehicles and just go with the MX bikes , and to get al the real life National and Supercross tracks in the game. No response.