Motorstorm 2 Pacific Rift (PS3)

Gamecow’s Price	RRP $49.95     Save $3.00 $46.95
Availability
Genre	Driving Racing
Platform	Playstation 3
Release Date	13/11/2008
Rated

MotorStorm 2 Pacific Rift is an absolute ball-tearer of a driving game.  You name a vehicle, it is here, from a motorbike to a truck.  To win this game you need nerves of steel and ruthlessness.  This is not a game for the faint-hearted and worrying about your driving line.

Basically, you are never safe being in first place and you need to be ready for anything.  This is the ultimate driving game on the Playstation 3.

Motor Storm 2 Pacific Rift (PS3) Product Information

The world’s most brutal racing festival returns.
The second instalment of the best-selling PLAYSTATION 3 brutal off road racer leaves Monument Valley for a Pacific island of dense jungle, thick swamps, towering peaks and steaming volcanoes. But don't let the tranquil scenery fool you; this new setting is as violent and unpredictable as the drivers that flock to it. It will smash, scorch and drown you at every turn.

Like the environment, opponents are smarter and more aggressive this time around, with improved Artificial Intelligence. There are 16 multi-route tracks to tear up with all the vehicle classes from the first MotorStorm: ATVs, rally cars, buggies, motorbikes, race trucks, mudpluggers and Big Rigs, as well as the newly arrived monster trucks that climb, sprint and roll over any vehicle in their way.

Multiplayer is even more intense; 16 racers can duke it out online or up to four people can get together and race in split-screen. Comprehensive PLAYSTATION Network support provides sophisticated ranking and leaderboards.

It's brutal, dangerous, relentless, and unpredictable and more than a game - MotorStorm is way of life. The festival is back this autumn and promises to be larger than ever before.
• The island - a brand new, beautifully realised racing location
• Dynamic events, unpredictable and brutal off road racing conditions make every lap unique
• Competitive online racing for up to 16 players and up to 4-player split screen mode

Motor Storm 2 Pacific Rift (PS3) Review

The MotorStorm franchise is one of those Sony titles that were shown to audiences for the first time in dazzling format, with incredible visuals, visceral and intense gameplay, and an unrivalled level of smoothness. Unfortunately for the audience, the announcement was simply CG, but to our surprise, the actual game that was released soon after turned out to be pretty damn nice anyway. Sure, it lacked in a few areas, what with it being a launch title and all, but Evolution Studios seemed well aware of that, and now nearly two years on, they've unleashed their second instalment to their chaotic franchise, MotorStorm: Pacific Rift. But does it improve upon the original, or crash and burn in a ball of flame?

Thankfully not the latter, as Pacific Rift has overshadowed its predecessor with flying colours, in more ways than one.

Featuring 16 tracks, more than double than that of its predecessor, there is a lot to learn and a lot to race in Pacific Rift, especially with the amount of vehicles you can use, including the latest addition, the Monster Truck.

Pacific Rift's ultimate desire is chaos. There is never a moment in a race where you will feel safe or comfortable in your first place position. There is always a chance you might slip up and crash, and always a chance someone might just catch up and knock you off a cliff or slam you into a wall. It's the unpredictable nature of the game that makes it so enjoyable, and keeps you on the edge of your seat at all times. Being a bikey stuck between a Monster Truck and Bus at blazing speeds is indeed terrifying, but absolutely fantastic.

The sound is also as good as ever, with very loud sound effects blasting through your speakers, which sound incredibly crisp. Your engines will roar, explosions will shake the room, and you will be immersed in the mayhem of Pacific Rift's sound. The music is appropriately suited for the game too, with licensed bands such as In Flames and Pendulum pumping in the background. And if you're not a fan of the music, you can now have custom soundtracks in your game, to make the experience more your way.

Though it lacks a little in variety in game modes, Pacific Rift's consistency in just racing is enough to justify a purchase, particularly with the brutal AI if you don't plan on taking it online. With not only variety in vehicles, but tracks now too, there is a huge amount of fun to be had with Pacific Rift, whether it be with friends, rivals online, or against the AI. This is one storm well worth bringing into your household.

Full review PALGN