• Review: ModNation Racers: Road Trip

    by
    Jason Arriola
    Published on 04-04-2012 12:09 AM
    0 Comments Comments


    ModNation Racers: Road Trip

    Developer: SCE San Diego Studio
    Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
    Platform: PlayStation Vita
    Genre: Racing
    Rating: Everyone
    Release Date: February 22, 2012


    Sony PlayStation exclusive, ModNation Racers comes speeding onto the Vita with ModNation Racers: Road Trip. Road Trip is the sequel to the console counterpart and is one of the Vita’s few racing games aiming to please the speed demon in all of us. Road Trip delivers what you liked about the console version but along with a few twists for this handheld entry.

    Presentation

    As the player you take control of an ambitious thrill seeker who enjoys the fast paced action of competitive racing. Yet another racing tournament has sped down the alley and it’s time to show off your racing skills once again in an effort to win the gold and bragging rights. Basically, if the original game’s single player campaign mode was something you enjoyed, you should feel right at home here with Road Trip.

    Graphics

    While it doesn’t boast the full high definition graphics of the PlayStation 3 game, Road Trip still looks like eye candy on the Vita’s appealing five inch screen. The characters and the diverse race tracks are all splendid in color and design. There’s plenty to see and enjoy here and the possibilities can seem endless when the very theme of the game is to modify your own characters and the tracks they compete in. The only drawback to the graphics system is the slight lag during races when a lot of action is happening on the screen all at once. It’s not terribly game breaking, but it’s irritatingly noticeable when you have a set speed going and the character and environment try to catch up with your input.

    Sound/Music

    If you enjoyed the witty banter of the ModNation Racers hosts, they’re actually not present this time around. That’s too bad given the cartoon aspect that the game goes with. The humorous race announcers would’ve been a welcome return as they provide feedback on the frenetic events taking place. In any case, you should be familiar with the rest of the sound effects and music if you’ve played the other game. Engines roar and hum, rockets burst with loud pops, and the jet engines whizz each time you boost.

    Gameplay

    Having played the original ModNation Racers, I can tell you that the control scheme transfers over to the Vita just fine. The Vita’s smaller buttons may take a little getting used to, but you should have no problem picking the game up and heading into your first race. Like the Mario Kart games before it, you can drive into these orb objects that give you an item to give you an edge in your race. This time around, in Road Trip, the items have been given particular colors, so you understand one item from the next, which makes getting the odds in your favor more practical and easier. Like the previous game, items don’t necessarily have to be used upon getting them. Instead they can be upgraded from strong, to stronger, to strongest. That is, they can be stacked up to three times before you can use them. The more upgrades to your item there are, the more powerful your item will be. So instead of sending an unguided missile to the kart in front of you, you can make it so that you have the ultimate explosive weapon that can take out multiple targets.

    In terms of defense, you can deploy a protective shield for a limited duration. The duration of the shield depends on your boost gauge. The boost gauge can be filled when power sliding or pulling off midair tricks after launching off a ramp. The boost gauge obviously isn’t limited to making a shield, but can provide you with an ongoing burst of speed. So it’s always good to know you have a method of defense in case you’re attacked from behind, say with a homing missile. Incoming threats can be distinguished by a progressive buildup of noise which signals when the appropriate time is to get a shield up.

    A feature absent from the first game is the ability to drop items onto the racetrack from behind you. This would be useful when another racer is right on your tail or a good way to keep traps in wait for your opponents. This feature is absent. I’m not sure why it was omitted from this game, but it was a good gameplay mechanic suffice it to say.

    There’s plenty to get started on from the get go. You can either head into the career mode, which spans up to 30 racetracks, all of which you can attempt to come in first place, or you can head directly into the modification part of the game that should be equally entertaining.

    Some may find a game breaker in Road Trip in the form of load times, and boy does this game have load times. When you’re finished getting your ideal kart and character together it’s time to race… after the loading screen lets you jump into a race that is. You might find yourself waiting over 30 seconds before the racetrack and accompanying information has booted up, which could possibly bore you rather than get you pumped up for the race ahead.

    Lasting Appeal

    Designing your own racetrack using the Vita’s unique hardware is as much entertaining as it is seeing it happen before your eyes. Creating a racetrack is achieved primarily with the use of the touch screen and the rear touch pad. The front touch screen is used to carve out a path, while the rear touch pad can be used to erect hills or mountains by exerting pressure “upwards” so to speak. It’s actually quite cool to see your work executed in this manner. Moreover, rubbing the touch screen repeatedly can also create craters in the ground. The creativity in creating a racetrack can seem virtually endless if you allow your creative side to take over. Even advanced designers are sure to have a treat designing rather complicated, but equally amusing ways to have a race.

    Another great feature Road Trip employs is the ability to download user created content such as karts, racers, and racetracks just like in the console version of the game. Is there a video game character, maybe a cartoon character, you want to play as? Chances are you can do a search and find something that matches what you’re looking for. This is one of ModNation Racers strong suits. You can pour so much creativity into this form of modification alone.

    ModNation Racers is the ideal cartoon racer to take online with friends or other fellow racers for the PlayStation 3. Unfortunately, Road Trip doesn’t share the same online functionality with its console counterpart. The game features a local multiplayer mode, but if you’re hoping to take it online on the go for instant racing with gamers all over the world, you’re out of luck. Instead what you can do is complete races with your best time possible to see if you beat your friend’s time by comparing with the game’s leader board. There’s another downside to this as you have to have an internet connection at all times when playing like this. Let’s say you have only the wi-fi version of the Vita, you’ll be out of luck if you’re taking a bus to school or work, at a restaurant without a wi-fi hot spot, or moving out of range of your ideal internet connection. It’s a bit of a double edged sword how’d you go about enjoying this game online. It’s a shame because ModNation Racers has a very fun online multiplayer but the fact that Road Trip doesn’t get to share that feature is a bummer.

    Finally, with near, the Vita’s social network, you can download things from racetrack goodies, to spare parts for your kart should another player with the game happen to pass by the same area you currently occupy.

    Conclusion

    ModNation Racers: Road Trip is a good game to own for your Vita if you’re seeking a fun filled cartoony racer. If what you’re looking for is the portable equivalent of the console game, that’s not what you’ll find here exactly. Still, the game is plenty fun. The racetracks will increase in difficulty as you progress, so a challenge does exist in the game. Creating and tailoring a racetrack the way you want it is very fun and creative. The added use of the existing ModNation Racers library of custom made characters and karts are sure to keep you busy for hours too. Road Trip will make a good addition to your Vita collection.

    Score
    7.0/10

  • Review Scale

    Score 10- Flawless Victory: A score not handed out to every game. Games earning this rare score sit at the very pinnacle of excellence. These games act as the examples for which all others should be measured with. They are instant classics from the beginning. These games not only deliver what was expected of it, but also exceed the player’s expectations. The game’s features are innovative and original. No game is without its absolute flaws, but the finished product you bring home surpasses the anticipation the game has formed. A day one buy is a must. The game you hold in your hands with this score is a video game jackpot.

    Score 9 - 9.5- Outstanding: Games earning scores such as these absolutely must be played. Games that achieve this high ranking do so because they define the genres that they are in. Flaws are few and barely noticeable. Features seen in the game have been renovated to provide something new and fresh. The story, gameplay, graphics, and lasting appeal are all fantastic and is reason enough to bring the game home and to enjoy with family and friends. Every penny you spend on the game is so worth it.

    Score 8 - 8.5- Great: Any flaw the game may possess is overshadowed by its fun factor. These games would be great for gamers to play. These great games appeal to gamers more and more outside its normal player base because of what it brings to the table.

    Score 7 - 7.5- Good: Flaws do exist in these games, but the positive features of the game can counterbalance the flaws. Additionally, players who are predisposed to liking a game of a particular series or genre with this score should enjoy the game. These are in no way bad games, and much fun can be had with them. An overall good game is worth taking a look at, whether you are willing to buy the game or rent it first. That or you can also wait for the game to reach a good price.

    Score 6 - 6.5- Decent: Games falling into this category may suffer from numerous flaws (for example, graphics or gameplay), but are still worth playing. Granted, the player should be aware that a game with these scores may not guarantee them full satisfaction.

    Score 5 - 5.5- Average: An average game is one in which a game’s features are neither good nor completely terrible. Instead, the finished product is manageable. Little has been done to hold the player’s interest. If anything, rent this game before you consider buying it so that you can at least get a feel for the game’s overall experience.

    Score 4 - 4.5- Poor: Games falling into this category may only keep gamers entertained for a short while. While the game may seem enjoyable for moments at a time, it can quickly grow old and may never be revisited again. The game’s overall function is lacking in quality and may not hold the player’s attention for long. The game leaves little or nothing else to return back to.

    Score 3 - 3.5- Bad: If any positive qualities about a game in this category exist, it is not enough to redeem the game for its shortcomings. Sure you may find yourself playing it, but for how long? You will wind up not giving the game a second glance.

    Score 2 - 2.5- Horrible: Games such as these may not be totally unplayable, they nearly are. Additionally, they may lack, or greatly suffer in, the fundamental functionality of the software as a whole. The game simply does not come close to meeting industry standards at the time of its release.

    Score 1 - 1.5- Appalling: Gamers should avoid this game at all costs. The game was clearly not ready to make its way to store shelves in its status. Save your money and find something else. See it in the bargain bin? No! Stay away! Keep moving and look for something else.

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