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MotorStorm: Apocalypse Preview

Scheduled release date:
April 12, 2011
Publisher:
SCEA
Developer:
Evolution Studios
Number Of Players:
1-4 (1-16 Online)
Genre:
Racing


It’s the apocalypse. Sh** is happening. No city can withstand the upheaval and everything is coming down . This is the setting for your latest MotorStorm excursion; the atmosphere alone should be more than enough to pique your interest. We’ll also get a few new vehicles – including a superbike – and the coup de grace: destructible environments that lead to constantly shifting racetracks. The latter will require continual adaptation and should keep the game from getting repetitive. After debuting some gameplay at E3 last year, developer Evolution Studios has been working to deliver a singularly over-the-top racing experience that grabs you from the start and never lets go. With a heavy amount of flash and panache, MotorStorm: Apocalypse looks to be highly entertaining.

Most of the tracks were inspired by real-world locations on the West Coast, and especially the San Francisco Bay Area. Therefore, if you’re familiar with that spot, you might notice some similarities when trying to survive the harrowing circuits. Some of you might be thinking: “but won’t it all be urban? Won’t all the tracks just blend together like a maze of city streets?” To answer, it’s not a good idea to think of this game as “urban” – that word has Need for Speed implications – but more of an “urban off-roader,” where there likely won’t be a stretch of solid road for more than a few hundred feet. With so much rubble and debris, it won’t be that much different than flying around dirt paths in random forests. On top of which, you’ll absolutely need vehicles that can handle the task; i.e., hummers, dirt bikes, ATVs, etc.

And don’t worry about variety when it comes to tracks. A crumbling metropolis has a lot to offer, you know. You might be racing through subway tunnels or sewers, or you might be blasting through what used to be quaint little residential neighborhoods. You’ve got shipping yards – it’s a coastal city, after all – that will tax you to the limit, rooftops that are about as unstable as can be, and the downtown area, where all that remains is an endless stream of junk and debris. In addition to 3D support that will make this dynamic atmosphere all the more effective, Evolution is tossing in a few other fresh features as well: there’s the new Photo Mode, which can “capture gameplay images in high resolution,” and a whole new assortment of taunts and gestures. See, you have to have a bit of an attitude to fit in with the crazy crowd. They have also stated that we can expect a slew of post-release content so our experience never gets old.

As for the multiplayer, the game will boast four-player split-screen local play as well as an invigorating 16-player online mode. Custom loadouts will even be included; we’re quite familiar with the concept in shooters but in racers…? You’ll be able to equip up to three perks before you head out to battle your human opponents, and those perks will have a direct impact on your performance. There’s one that speeds up resurrection time after a crash, and another that allows boost to recharge faster. The bottom line is that MotorStorm: Apocalypse should be a darn fine title that’s worthy of your attention. Some may not like the new setting but we just gotta say: it looks totally intense, and you might change your mind once you give it a whirl. You’ll get your chance when the game arrives on April 12…or maybe earlier when/if they produce a demo.

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Dancemachine55
Dancemachine55
13 years ago

Great stuff. I only wish I could afford it on Day 1, but with a whole massive lineup of games coming this year on the PS3 alone, I have to be far more picky with what I get.

This is definitely going on the must-buy list during the quiet periods AND when this game drops to around half price. As much as I wanna support these guys, my wallet tends to come first.

I just hope it doesn't go all Gears on us and take away the colourful graphics that were on Pacific Rift. It was such a fun racing game!!

Temjin001
Temjin001
13 years ago

I'm so on the fence with this one. I absolutely adored the first game. VF5 and Motorstorm is all I could play in my early months owning a PS3 and Motorstorm did a fine job reminding me that no matter how good Gears looked on 360, Motorstorm was a match for it (visually). But I also loved the great dirty, off road gameplay. Pacific Rift felt less visually consistent (maybe foliage and shadows is too much to ask from this current gen) but there was a good deal I liked about it, with just a handful of things that bothered me. Apocalypse seems much more crazy and wild-but fun, no doubt–and I confess I sort of want a "back to it's roots" sequel. But this game still looks like it'll deliver.

I have $20 game credit on Amazon… maybe it'll get applied 😉

Shams
Shams
13 years ago

But PR had 4 player split-screen!

jlch777
jlch777
13 years ago

Yeah I don't know why but MS1 looked better than MS2. Maybe it was some kind of blur in MS2 when you press the turbo, or the crispness of textures, don't know but i will get MS3 day one!

Kevin555
Kevin555
13 years ago

Virtua Fighter 5 was the only game i played during the PS3 launch period. That was some addictive stuff. 😉

On MotorStorm, i've always preferred the Burnout series of games, MotorStorm just can't compete with them imo. Hopefully this new one changes my stance on them.

WorldEndsWithMe
WorldEndsWithMe
13 years ago

Enough with the storms of motors already.

AStiffyIffy
AStiffyIffy
13 years ago

This preview has piqued my interest in this game. Hopefully there'll be a demo soon.

Lawless SXE
Lawless SXE
13 years ago

Sounds absolutely bad-a**. But, if it's the end of the world, where are they going to set Motorstorm 4?

Motorstorm: Heaven. Rip down the pearly gates and tear up the clouds as you race through God's domain and send angels scattering in all directions! No? Too early?
Peace.

___________
___________
13 years ago

disappointed to see the transition from wild jungle to a apocalyptic city, i mean have we not had enough of those games yet?
besides that im really looking forward to this, looks allot like split second which was allot of fun!
hope there will G27 support.

Ludicrous_Liam
Ludicrous_Liam
13 years ago

_________________ is disappointed, surprise surprise.

___________
___________
13 years ago

sorry for getting bored because almost every games set in a apocalyptic setting.
why cant we have a little color every once in a while?
games are so god dam depressing these days!

Zorigo
Zorigo
13 years ago

Ohh yes this apocalyptic game is also very brown like all the other games, isn't it. there doesn't seem to be any colour…
¬_¬

Ludicrous_Liam
Ludicrous_Liam
13 years ago

Lol..photomode was in the freaking first one!

Kiryu
Kiryu
13 years ago

MotorStorm Apocalypse > Split Second!

GuernicaReborn
GuernicaReborn
13 years ago

This game is awesome, there is so much happening during a race, it really brings the crumbling city setting to life. Stuff blowing up, buildings falling down, debris flying all around you, ground giving out from under you… It's hectic and it's way better than the first two games.

jimmyhandsome
jimmyhandsome
13 years ago

It'd be sweet if you could punch people off of motorcycles a la road rash.

Kiryu
Kiryu
13 years ago

u can punch people like road rash.search for videos

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