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MX Superfly
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Graphics & Sound:
MX Superfly is a pretty cool looking motocross racing game from Pacific Coast Power and Light Co., a game developer well versed in motorcycle racing simulations. The tracks all seem well designed, with excellent looking cement, sand, mud, dirt, and other surfaces, and very nice looking character and motorcycle models. Environments include accurate looking trees and skies, and overall landscapes seem expansive and crisp. Race courses range from simple almost oval layouts, to very twisty affairs, and when motorcycles take air, or otherwise maneuver on the tracks, they do so realistically. Sound effects from motorcycles are accurate, although the complete lack of engine noise during jumps seems a little odd. The engines have that whine normally present in a 2-stroke, so anyone intimate with motocross racing should be right at home here. The soundtrack is varied, which includes licensed music from such groups as Dropkick Murphys, The Dickies, Souls of Mischief, The Coup, and Hoobastank. You can also roll your own or shut off the music altogether.
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Gameplay:
MX Superfly is one of those games easy to pick up and play, but difficult to master. The game play is simple as you race against others or play solo in Exhibition, Freestyle, Career Mode, or Mini-Games. There is also a track editor that allows you to create simple, exhibition style arenas. Exhibition games allow you to perform one of the more than 100 tricks, ranging from the simple Nac Nac, which just requires one tap of the 'X' button during a jump, to more complex tricks, like the Pendulum, which necessitates tapping 'X', 'B', and then 'B' again. One must preload stunts using the clutch, although an Easy Stunts setting eliminates this need entirely. Properly performed tricks not only result in points, but also in glorious applause, and are very satisfying. Freestyle and Career Mode games are similar, as one must compete in a number of races, although the latter allows you to unlock more tracks for use in the former and also in the Mini-Games. The Mini-Games include Bus Jump, Moto-Golf, Balloon Toss, Horse and more. Some of these, like Horse, are trick based, where one must successfully complete a trick in the allotted time, otherwise receive a letter. Wheel Ball, on the other hand, demands one to knock the ball into the hole before the timer expires.
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Difficulty:
Tracks range in difficulty from fairly simple and easy to extremely trying. Competitors feature well tuned AI, although the difficulty level can be altered for each competition. Tricks are simple to execute, but there are many, and properly performing them in the time one remains afloat during a jump takes much practice. Overall, MX Superfly is an easy game and very accessible, but to really get to the meat of it will take time, and is quite a challenge.
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Game Mechanics:
Controller layouts are intuitive, trick tips appear on screen during races and exhibitions, and the feedback provided in MX Superfly is excellent. Menus are easy to access and options are clearly labeled, and the game provides nice shortcuts, like preloading previously used names when entering high scores. The track editor, while limited and seemingly mouse based, is easy to use and quite fun to tinker with. You move a cursor across the screen to access options, and although it would be excellent to have more viewing options, it isn't hard to create fun arenas. The camera views during races and exhibitions are also somewhat constrained, although they aren't bad. All action is viewed in 3rd person mode, and even though it would have been great to get a way to look behind your rider, there's never a time when the camera does the wrong thing. Replay mode provides more camera angles and a way to fast forward the action. Xbox Live is supported, albeit only to download new content. This is excellent, although somewhat disappointing since racing competitively over the Internet could potentially be a blast. The multiplayer gaming that is provided is via split-screen. MX Superfly is one of those racing games that gets most of it right. It's fun, great to look at and listen to, and it has enough replayability to keep one going at it for many months to come. Those not interested in the trick system might be put off, but for those of us who are not purists, the exhibitions provide variety and longevity. The track editor, while limited, also extends the gaming experience, and helps make the game a great value. But even for purists, there are enough licensed riders, motorcycles, gear, and tracks to keep one busy for a very long time. |
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-Gordy, GameVortex Communications AKA Gary Lucero |
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