MX vs ATV Unleashed [US/Xbox]

[the shape]

The button config freaked me out for about the first 30 minutes, just because every other game uses the triggers as accelerate and brake. After that brief initial period, it's been no problem.

I was at least pleased to find that, when using the trophy trucks, monster trucks etc, the A and X buttons are treated as analog, so you can still adjust the amount of gas you give the motor on those muddy corners. Essential on the Short Track races.

I take it you've got a dodgy version Matt and won't be meeting me online? Let me know about the region free thing ASAP as I'd like to send one to a friend.

Everybody look out for secrets! I read that there are hidden things, including a sasquatch, in the game. Last night, about 2 am, I was riding around Redwood Forest in free ride and I kept hearing a mysterious growl/moan in the rear speakers. I couldn't find him but I think there's something there.

It looks like I can't use my helicopter online. I feel this is sort of a shame and Rainbow might have underestimated the late night slacker appeal of their game. It's not like I'd race someone who was riding a bike, just that it'd be fun when you want to piss about.

There's certainly enough here to make up for it, though.

I need to get the hang of those clutch turns in the tutorial video, as the second championship is humping me.

Played Follow-the-Leader last night. It's a really good way to learn the tricks. There are many more than I thought. And lots more points for the shop.

[Matt KB]

There are tutorial videos?! The first thing that struck me about this is that the game really is immense in size, there is masses to find, uncover and do. I love the way you can go from freeride to race to follow the leader to pretty much anything without returning to the main menu. I love the bikes, I love the ATVs

Not a huge fan of the buggys but they'll appeal to some people no doubt, I'm sure different people will enjoy different vehicles as well.

I need to have a play and find the mode where I can just drive about the vast landscapes as well.

And yes, I have a dodgy copy at the moment My real copy departed from DHL facility in Cincinnati, OH - USA at 7.58am local time yesterday. It can't get here quick enough

Are there scoreboards online? And if so are there for each vehicle/engine class?

Controls wise I didn't really have a problem, rarely use the brake - use the clutch and trick modifiers far more - same as MX Unleashed.

[nonny]

Im definitely picking this up! Thanks for the online impressions guys... it was the one thing missing from MX Unleashed.

Ive just moved house and setup my new projector system (Panny AE700) with the Xbox so I guess this is the game to show off 1080i with... wish more games supported the higher resolution modes.

[the shape]

Have you driven the 50 cc pocket rockets yet Matt? It's a hoot!

Yes, there are online scoreboards but as I'm not Competitive Dad like you I haven't spent enough time in there to remember the specifics.

Nonny, it is daft sharp in 1080i. The right stick lets you position a camera anywhere around the bike and leave it there. I spent a sec today gawking at the detail on my ATV, little rotating gears on the rear axle etc. Mad. I'm going to change the Xbox back to 480p in the dashboard and see what MX/ATV would look like normally.

Very close to the half million points needed to unlock Pro Physics mode, which is very me.

[Matt KB]

Lol not tried much of the other vehicles tbh, just the buggys and monster trucks, I'm working through the various championships bit by bit. Not had too much time to spend on it as I would of liked tbh. Soon sort that though

I like the scoreboards in games for racing games so long as they're balanced (ie for each class etc - see Car Boards in PGR2 ) as it gives me something to do "single player" wise when I beat the game and no friends are online.

I am absolutely loving this at the moment like an estranged relative with lots of cash.

[Yoshimax]

Yeah I have also acquired a "trial" version of the game pending live compatible version. Stunning stuff - Showed it to a mate yesterday who always goes on about how good PS2 ATV was and he was blown away - When I explained that, yes, it was online I could see him start to weigh up the xbox buying options.

As soon as someone can confirm this is region free I'm sold.

[Matt KB]

One thing I'm loving on this is how different an experience riding the MX and ATVs are. Both feel familiar enough not to propose a distorted gaming experience but different enough to require different skills in order to be fast with each, particularly the landings and weight balance mid-air.

Also there is much more emphasis on taking the better lines through the corners, making use of the banks be it short or wide. Bloody great stuff.

[the shape]

They're certainly different. I sailed through the MX Nationals, first on almost every race, but I am floundering around track 4 in the ATV THQ championship thing! These are harder, more technical tracks though I guess. But getting stuck isn't a problem, since there's so much to do in the game you just **** off and drive a dune buggy around the desert or something for a break.

I notice they've implemented real brake gyro, too. So if you brake mid air, it stops your wheels spinning which adds air resistance and brings the bike down. You can switch it off, mind.

I unlocked Pro Physics (for the MX bikes - it costs another half million points to unlock them for the ATVs) and although it's tough to put your finger on the difference in handling, it just feels more real, like the bike and rider each have their own weight and inertia, if that's the right word. It's a more nuanced, less cartoony experience. I suspect these are the physics Rainbow wanted to include from the beginning, but locked away for fear of alienating the softcore Walmart buyer.

One thing I can't get is riding the berm as seen in the training videos. You're meant to be able to hit a certain part of the banked corner and be steered round by the track without having to turn yourself. Whenever I attempt this, I somewhat predictably drive directly off the track. Then feel silly for thinking it would work.

[Matt KB]

Same here, it works superbly though with a tiny little bit of steering. I'm putting it down to a miscommunication in the training video to my understanding.

Anyway, my proper game arrived from DHL so I'll be checking for Region Free goodness shortly.

[markgreyam]

damnit. my copy arrived today (ps2), and the game has no minigames that i can see in any menu, nor in the store to unlock. woe is me. well i still have ATV2 Ice Hockey i guess.

and while i like the 'new physics', im disappointed that you can't just lift the front of the ATV/MX off the ground as you accelerate from a stationary position. it seems to lack more of the arcadey-ness of 1 and 2, yet there is still Pro Physics to unlock. go figure. i would have liked the old style arcade physics and then the ability to unlock the 'hardcore' physics style.

i'd get into it more, but i'm just not in a gaming mood tonight. and im kinda disappointed about no MP games.

[the shape]

Don't lose heart, Mark.

The rest of the game is a total corker. Not everything is known yet; maybe your minigames are buried away? I still think there are going to be hidden things on the maps that perhaps lead to goodies. Also, even without Pro Physics, you can indeed pop a wheelie from a stationary position if you use the clutch. I should know, from the number of times I've ended up on my arse trying to get a speed start out of the gate.

Matt: how soon will you be online? I'm choking to play someone at this. Sounds like you've got the technique down a little more than me but I'll take my chances.

I got out of my SX championship rut last night when Mrs Shape pointed out in her backseat driver way how to effectively use the banked corners, which is when I realized the fastest route between two points isn't necessarily a straight line in this game. Those things slingshot you down the next bit of track.

[Matt KB]

Well it's NOT region free. Sorry folks, US MX v ATV won't work on Pal Xbox.

I shall be firing this up shortly for an hour or two this afternoon Got a busy night then it's back to Uni tomorrow for mucho late night gaming goodness

[Matt KB]

Well you won't be surprised to hear that the online side of things is quite happily sat in the "Big Bastard Farce" corner of affairs.

You have to go through about a million menus to set up/change options in the Create a Game mode but that's not really too big a deal.

Getting into a game is. You select Optimatch, and choose the vehicles you are happy to race and it matches up with games allowing those vehicles which is quite cool. Bikes and ATVs are by far the most popular choices. You can race (it seems) your own physics settings if you've unlocked it (can't confirm as the option is greyed out) and race with your colour gear and bikes. You select join game though and you may experience:

"This game is no longer available"
"Unable to join game"

When you get it it's pretty neat, host changes the game mode, track, preferred vehicles etc from the menu although he can start while you're viewing your friends list/changing vehicle. I experience 2 kicks out of a game after the race ends, although that could of been the host quitting the game.

Twice when I had the above errors optimatch would only refresh to show that game I got kicked out of. Leaving and reselecting optimatch bought back the proper list.

Lag is non-existant, I didn't see any in a room with 5 septics all on yellow.

Voice is patchy, people break up, and often people won't be able to hear you speak even if they can hear you which prompts in you having to quit and rejoin - which means you might get the above errors.

And one time I got the above errors and the names of the players in that room, and the track and lap info overlayed absolutely everything, even after I signed up, forcing a reboot.

What a great shame and waste. When it works, it is absolutely brilliant. Sadly getting it to work is a hit and miss process. Much like every new release these days, we now await a patch to resolve the issue and make the game consistantly playable.

[the shape]

You doing any more today? **** Optimatch, we'll just do some races.

[Matt KB]

Errr probably not to be honest, I need to pack my **** up to go back to Uni tomorrow, sort a few things out and watch CSI tonight

I shall be on tomorrow though!