MX 2002 featuring Ricky Carmichael
Score: 70% ESRB: Everyone Publisher: THQ Developer: Pacific Coast Power & Light Company Media: CD/1 Players: 1 - 2 Genre: Racing
Graphics & Sound: MX 2002's graphics seem barely more polished than it's earlier PS2 version, yet still do the budding system fair justice. All of the tracks are finely detailed down to the last feature, with flashes of dirt and exhaust effects bringing a realistic flair to the front; on the other hand, every biker model looks exactly the same (and you know these guys aren't the same weight and height in real life), although the models' animations themselves seem pretty damn slick. Truly a mixed bag to be found in the visuals department here. As far as a soundtrack goes -- unless you're a 14-year-old male with a mainstream rock/punk addiction, you're better off muting these tunes from the get-go. Offering a measly seven songs from the likes of Saliva and Sum 41, MX 2002 carries one of the most uninspired soundtracks to hit an extreme sports title in some time. At least the effects are nice -- engine buzzes and character groans never seem to annoy more than they enhance the experience.
Gameplay: Players choose from Exhibition, Freestyle, Career and Multiplayer modes at the menu screen. Exhibition allows for some quick matches against the computer opponents, while Freestyle throws out trick-based challenges including score competitions and the ever popular 'Horse.' Got a friend handy? Why not take 'im on in a friendly 20-minute race? Career Mode proves the most involved region of the game, however, as the player must battle through several planned weeks of tutorials and tournament rounds in order to unlock new stages for future enjoyment. Not happy with your bike's performance? Tune it up by tweaking the pipe, brakes and suspension to meet the demands of each different course. Unfortunately, it's impossible to edit your biker's trick library -- but that's more of a Tony Hawk joint, isn't it?
Difficulty: Races may be played on Easy, Normal, or Hard settings, each with unique challenges to be faced. Even at the Easy level, computer AI may seem absolutely relentless to motocross newcomers; on Hard, you'd better be the best damn biker this side of the Mississippi for a chance at 1st place. Opposing racers will do everything they can to nudge you off the track and make sure your landings are always tricky (which happens all the time). It'll take some time, but mastery of the clutch/preload combination is key to taking the lead every time.
Game Mechanics: MX 2002 boasts an unusually demanding control scheme, making use of nearly every button almost too often during each race. Trick freaks may become agitated with the amount of button mashing required to gain decent air, but in the end it's really rewarding to powerslide early into a sharp turn, boost out with perfectly-timed clutch, and grab maximum hang time off the very next ramp without pulling a single mistake. Just like any motocross racer worth its salt, this one takes plenty of work to become enjoyable. If it's solid Xbox dirt bike action you're looking for, MX 2002's the only choice. It might not be much more than an enhanced PS2 port, but then again, many of the best Xbox games currently available are slightly-better ports as well (Silent Hill 2 and Genma Onimusha, anyone?). Carmichael fans and tricked-out extreme sport nuts alike should find a fun little title here with above-average replay value all around.
-Ben Monkey, GameVortex Communications AKA Ben Lewis
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